Robin Writes

Yeah, guess I’m bored. I mean, we finished up the house closing, my stepmom’s fraud case is proceeding and there’s not much left for me to do at the time; my church stuff doesn’t come around again until spring – although I’ve gotten a few calls on dates for next May! Sheesh, I’m not even sure what I’ll be doing next Wednesday!

Kids are all doing okay – hard to help those who don’t seem to want your help; not to mention those who just want bailouts. But, I digress….

Of course, there’s always writing, which I do; and housework, yard work, laundry, etc. Or, I could clean up the garage which, while a work-in-progress, apparently needs even more work…I just heard a loud crash that either means a truck crashed into the house or those damn stacked tubs fell over. Again.

So yesterday, my husband was really, really irked with his job. For myself, I’ve been beyond irked for quite some time. I could go on and on about that stupid company he works for – yes, we’re grateful he has a job, blah, blah, blah, but it doesn’t do a whole lot of good to have a job if it’s killing you, ya know?

He’d much rather work for himself. And he has. He owned a couple different businesses back in the day, and the two of us started our “entrepreneurial conglomerate” back in Colorado in the 90s. So maybe it’s time again?

Yeah, the economy stinks. So what? It’s stunk before, it’ll stink again. Besides, it’s fun to start something new! Okay, so maybe your idea of fun and mine are poles apart – you know, my dad always told me the way to go was to have your own business; on the other hand, he told my sister that she should get a good job with benefits, working for someone else. Maybe he recognized our differences, maybe he changed his mind?

Well, anyway, so I keep thinking “bookstore”. Just got the news that Borders is going under, but instead of that scaring me, I’m thinking maybe I could pick up some stock…am I nuts? Probably, so don’t answer that! My point is that we wouldn’t have to have nights, weekends, holidays all messed up due to someone else’s schedule; sure, it’s hard work, but that’s not a problem. The problem is doing stupid stuff because someone higher up thinks it’s a good thing – even if that higher-up is an idiot, ya know?

So really, a few thousand books, a smallish space, some comfy chairs and reading lights, a register/POS system…yeah, yeah, I know it’s not that simple – like, for instance, coming up with about $30K, minimum, for start-up. But it’s not impossible, after all. Besides, I could write when traffic is slow, we could host authors and reviewers and book clubs, it could be a lot of fun!

Oh, and my husband would be happy if some of MY 1000 books migrated over there too!

One word: don’t. Not until you can pay cash.

Disclaimer: this may not be sound advice, as I’m far, far from being financially savvy. It will, however, save you lots of time and trouble and, quite probably, help preserve your sanity!

Here are a few nuggets from our recent experience – we’re closing Wednesday, so I feel pretty safe in saying that’s all over but the shouting….

First, if your credit score is below, oh, 1,000,000 or so, don’t even make the attempt. Ours was pretty bad, but better than most – however, as we set about making changes and raising that score, the powers-that-be kept raising the numbers for the “best deal.” We’d be SO close, then hear: I’m sorry, it might take a bit longer; you’re not quite “there”. Which is pretty subjective, after all.

Next, there are copies. Everyone involved wants a copy of everything: your realtor, the seller’s agent, the mortgage broker, the closers, the title company, all the admin assistants involved with everyone, the insurance guys, the half-brother’s cousin’s sister’s husband…oh wait, maybe that last one was a mistake. Oops. Who was that guy anyway??

Invest in a very good scanner, lots of ink, a PC able to handle multi-tasking without melting into a puddle, and reams of paper, including the legal size. You’ll need it all, because at some point you’re going to run out of something that you.must.have.right.now.

Phone calls. Upgrade your cell plan immediately. You will get texts and calls at all hours, even if you “don’t text;” sometimes you’ll get calls to confirm that you received an email that was sent approximately 5.7 seconds prior to the call. And don’t think you can shut that baby off at 5pm – nope, better leave it on and attached to your body by your method of choice until at least 9pm. At least.

And I’m sure you’ve heard that the money folks will be looking up your behind with a magnifying glass. It’s true. Be prepared. Any deposit over $100 that shows on your bank statement will be questioned. And you better have proof of its origins. And copies of the check deposited; and the deposit slip; and the source. On one memorable occasion last week, we had to provide a copy of a 401k statement; then a copy of the statement showing the withdrawal, a copy of the transaction itself, a copy of the statement AFTER the withdrawal, a copy of the check, and a copy of the deposit slip. Kid you not.

It was brutal.

We’ve been living in this house for 8 months. Not common, but certainly not unheard of – a few days ago, I received correspondence from the title company. Sent on July 6. To my old address. From last FALL. This is the same title company who is supposed to be checking on liens, judgments, title transfers, etc. for the house that we’re buying – and in which we live. I’m supposed to trust their research? My address is, literally, on every.single.piece.of.paper we have thus far signed, provided, faxed, emailed, copies, etc., etc. And they DON’T KNOW IT?

Oy. Thank goodness it’s almost over. I can’t imagine doing this again. Ever. Unless I somehow acquire oodles of cash. Which, of course, I will have to document like crazy!