Underground Economy: Our Handyman, Elton, got a great deal on a Boat today!

[KoKo]

Elton is a great guy...he was recommended by our House Painter 12 years ago to us...to "fix that stuff like "deck rails" and "Masonite Siding" that needed repair before we went through the couple of thousand to paint our house.

Our house has been painted twice in 12 years...and Elton has been our "Handy Man-Mr. Fix It" ever since that first encounter.

Elton, BTW... only is a "Handy Man on the Side" his REAL JOB is as a "Corrections Supervisor at the NC PRISONS." Elton's job is to GUARD PRISONERS...and that's where he get's his "real pay and a pension and benefits.) The stuff Elton does for us is "gravy" but he's fair and does excellent work.

Anyway, last year Elton came and replaced some rotted deck rails...he revealed he'd bought a "Trailer down at the Pamlico Sound in NC Shore and he was heading off after his "Guard Duty at the Prison" with his wife to "take in some sun for a break" down at the "Trailor."

Tonight he came by our house. REMEMBER there's a Market Emplosion that our Thief/Emperor who "cries wolf" says is so terrible we are all endangeor or losing EVERYTHING if we don't sign onto Paulson's Bill and the revisions made by our Congress.

I never mentioned this whole "poltical thing" to Elton as he explained to me how he got a "Nineteen Foot Boat" with new engine, new fittings, taxes paid and how he negotiated to get this boat for half price, but as the conversation went on ...he was so PROUD that he had "CASH DOWN" to put on that boat and he had offered "CASH DOWN" weeks ago...and it wasn't until the "end of the month, yesterday" that he got a call back from the seller who asked if Elton was still interested in the purchase.

Elton said "I played it cool...the guy tried to get me to pay $5,8000 for this boat that's I'd offered him $5,200 bottom" but I told him to come by and talk to me again about it."

Bottom Line: My great "Handy Man Elton" got a great boat for HALF PRICE and when he brought his CASH and the guy who was selling the boat needed to "GET OUT BEFORE END OF MONTH...TAXES, FEES, LICENSES!"

There are many ways of "Getting Along" in this economy if one "plays cards close to vest, uses the system, doesn't get into debt for long periods" and "keeps their eyes on the prize" of what they want out of life, even if it seems very simple and out of reach in times of McMansions and Credit Card Debt to the Max!

For Elton and his lovely wife...it was a place near the beach, on the sound, and if what they could afford was a "Mobile Home" on a large lot...they feel it's a "GRAND PLACE" to them. It's not a "McMansion on Wrightsville Beach" worth Millions today...but it's on the water...with more land, beautiful views of our "Pamlico Sound" here in NC and if his Trailer "Blows Away" he's lost little, if he has to haul his boat back here to Raleigh to save it... He GOT IT ALL for HALF or THIRD of PRICE of the FAT CAT's who are NOW HURTING!

I gave Elton a "High Five!" He doesn't care about this ELECTION he's gonna get the "SPOILS OF WAR!"

He has his "eyes on the Prize." He's not me...or my lifestyle...but, he is one of those Americans we think "just can't make it." He's making it. And, even though he's a Prison Security Guard ...from what I know of him...he's a very kind man. Not one of those Bush Nazi Stormtroopers that the Neo-cons and Heritage/AEI and others send in to do the "dirty work."

Elton is a true NC Soul...from old stock who "don't pay much attention to politics...just do what they have to do to live...and find in their older age some money (CASH DOWN) that MEANS SOMETHING.

Just saying...wanted to post because it was interesting to me that after all our "Blather" there are folks STILL SURVIVING and looking for GOOD TIMES...amongst all the angst we are going through.

They keep their "EYES...on THEIR PRIZE" which isn't McMansions and the rest...but "cleaning up after all those who are "going down that ladder of greed" where Elton and his wife can get the "Leavings" and they are "GOOD!"

Someone always benefits....on the UP and on the DOWN.

Elton, btw is a "good soul." Not me or Hubby's lifestyle...but a good soul I'm glad to know because he is the "heart" of what keeps America going.

[Schema Thing]

1. honestly

I hate to be rude, but wtf does this anecdote have to do with the price of tea in Boston? "Elton" has a solid job, a quasi government job, and sounds like he has had that job for quite some time; he adds (probably off the books) to that job with well paid handyman work.

[KoKo]

4. Well...it's about how folks "survive" irregardless of what goes on in DC...

he supplements his income of his "part time job" (4 days a week as Prison Guard) with climbing up on roofs and doing "grunt work." He's a Survivor... We can all survive whatever we are going through. I found that was the message I took from my conversation with him. :shrug: for what it's worth.

[5X]

2. It is very hard to read a story with quote marks everywhere. n/t

[KoKo]

3. I'm sorry...I left "quote marks" hanging...and just cleaned it up...

maybe you will take another look since you were so offended. :shrug:

[pecwae]

5. So the point is

that Elton got a good deal on a boat? Cool!