We're in a RECESSION, Stupid!!!

**budnipper1** · 03-13-2009, 04:45 AM

Postal Service draws criticism for $1.2 million home buy

At a time when the U.S. Postal Service says it is experiencing a financial crisis, it purchased a $1.2 million home from an employee so he could relocate, a CNN investigation has found.

The Postal Service is a semipublic corporation, chartered by the U.S. government but not supported by taxpayer funds. Corporate relocation services are a common executive perk in the corporate world, where companies typically buy a property from an employee who is transferring to another city and resell it later.

Some U.S. government agencies do the same thing, but with limits on how much they will spend. For example, the Food and Drug Administration limits its relocation assistance to homes under $330,000.

Frey said the average cost of the 1,022 homes purchased through the USPS relocation program in 2007 and 2008 was $257,874. Fifteen of those remain on the market, he said.

Of the 1,022, 14 cost between $1 million and $2.8 million. All of those have been sold, Frey said, but typically at a loss once closing costs, attorneys fees and commissions are paid.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/05/pos...ion/index.html

**Buster** · 03-13-2009, 02:09 PM

Just raise the price of postage again..as they usually do

The FAA has discontinued buying PCS move homes now since October of 2007...Several new people here at work that moved here on promotions that were advantageous to the GOV, have had foreclosures on their homes they left behind, because they couldn't sell or hardly even give away, now their credit history sucks...I guess the USPS being an external entity to the Normal FED GOV, play by a different set of rules and restrictions.

**alevin** · 03-13-2009, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Buster

Just raise the price of postage again..as they usually do

The FAA has discontinued buying PCS move homes now since October of 2007...Several new people here at work that moved here on promotions that were advantageous to the GOV, have had foreclosures on their homes they left behind, because they couldn't sell or hardly even give away, now their credit history sucks...

My outfit now requires we attempt to sell homes ourselves for 6 months before .gov will buy us out from under.

One reason I paid off my house over the past several years, was so I'd have the option NOT to move (lower cost of living, more non-gov employment possibilities salarywise), if I chose to resign rather than accept directed transfer into a housing market I couldn't afford to buy into on a 30 yr fixed rate mortgage/20% down (downsizing was hanging over me for budget reasons for about 3-4 years (2003-2006), not so much an issue lately), so the situation was very real to me re consequences and potentials.

I would not voluntarily apply for a new job, even a promotion, if I thought I couldn't sell my house here and get out from under w/o wrecking my credit. I can sell at a loss at this point if I had to, now that it's paid off.

**Steadygain** · 03-13-2009, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by alevin

My outfit now requires we attempt to sell homes ourselves for 6 months before .gov will buy us out from under.

One reason I paid off my house over the past several years, was so I'd have the option NOT to move (lower cost of living, more non-gov employment possibilities salarywise),

I bet you'll never regret having the house paid off.

If you do get a non-gov job I hope you don't leave us. Wow this one took the wind out of my sail and bumbed me out.

Wish I hadn't read it now.

if I chose to resign rather than accept directed transfer into a housing market I couldn't afford to buy into on a 30 yr fixed rate mortgage/20% down (downsizing was hanging over me for budget reasons for about 3-4 years (2003-2006), not so much an issue lately), so the situation was very real to me re consequences and potentials.

If they force you out 'they are idiots and have no real clue what they're doing' - so let's just trust they know that

I would not voluntarily apply for a new job, even a promotion, if I thought I couldn't sell my house here and get out from under w/o wrecking my credit. I can sell at a loss at this point if I had to, now that it's paid off.

I hope you the very best my friend. Please bear in mind we are now approaching the end of this long drawn out Recession. It's possible we'll drag on the bottom 6 months or so - but when the BULL takes traction the value of your home will be substantially higher.

This is one time we simply have 'to trust' during uncertainties and hope for the best. Take care my friend.

**alevin** · 03-14-2009, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by alevin

downsizing was hanging over me for budget reasons for about 3-4 years (2003-2006), not so much an issue lately), so the situation was very real to me re consequences and potentials.

I would not voluntarily apply for a new job, even a promotion, if I thought I couldn't sell my house here and get out from under w/o wrecking my credit. I can sell at a loss at this point if I had to, now that it's paid off.

Guess I wasn't as clear as I thought I was. The downsizing hazard went away a couple years ago now, so I'm NOT thinking of leaving .gov at this point (21 years in, 14 to go, if I can hang in that long with all the aggravations

). Point is, I couldn't have afforded to move if had been given a directed transfer during the peak of the housing bubble, or I'd have had to become a renter again if I had moved.

Having my house paid off now gives me the flexibility to move or not move, stay w/.gov or not, regardless of any future downsizing that may happen. I won't find myself in mortgage default either way, and I could afford to take a non-gov lower paying salary now if I did leave .gov for any reason now that I'm no longer a slave to house payments. Not having that kind of debt frees me to a lot more employment/life options, including staying here even if my job went away, which it's not, under present budget conditions.

**Steadygain** · 03-14-2009, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by alevin

I'm NOT thinking of leaving .gov at this point (21 years in, 14 to go, if I can hang in that long with all the aggravations

).

Having my house paid off now gives me the flexibility to move or not move, stay w/.gov or not, regardless of any future downsizing that may happen. I won't find myself in mortgage default either way, and I could afford to take a non-gov lower paying salary now if I did leave .gov for any reason now that I'm no longer a slave to house payments. Not having that kind of debt frees me to a lot more employment/life options, including staying here even if my job went away, which it's not, under present budget conditions.

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!

Am ready to shut everything down and head home and this is the most perfect way to end the day.

You communicate very well - I have to rapidly read and respond when I take 'short breaks'

Have a great weekend and hope all is well

Steady

**James48843** · 03-14-2009, 01:51 AM

Police: Woman drugs boss's coffee so he'll 'chill'

BRYANT, Ark. – Police said a woman has been arrested for allegedly slipping some tranquilizers into her boss's coffee because she felt "he needed to chill out." Police said the 24-year-old woman admitted to detectives that she slipped the drugs into veteranarian John Duckett's drink. Officers said Duckett knew something was wrong shortly after drinking some of the coffee Tuesday morning.

Officers said the woman cleaned the cages at the the Reynolds Road Animal Clinic.

A judge set bond at $25,000 Friday and a jailer said the woman was still being held Friday. Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 21.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090313/...uilized_coffee

**Viva La Migra** · 03-14-2009, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by James48843

Police: Woman drugs boss's coffee so he'll 'chill'

BRYANT, Ark. – Police said a woman has been arrested for allegedly slipping some tranquilizers into her boss's coffee because she felt "he needed to chill out." Police said the 24-year-old woman admitted to detectives that she slipped the drugs into veteranarian John Duckett's drink. Officers said Duckett knew something was wrong shortly after drinking some of the coffee Tuesday morning.

Officers said the woman cleaned the cages at the the Reynolds Road Animal Clinic.

A judge set bond at $25,000 Friday and a jailer said the woman was still being held Friday. Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 21.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090313/...uilized_coffee

Good thing Duckett didn't kick the bucket!

**budnipper1** · 03-14-2009, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by James48843

Police: Woman drugs boss's coffee so he'll 'chill'

BRYANT, Ark. – Police said a woman has been arrested for allegedly slipping some tranquilizers into her boss's coffee because she felt "he needed to chill out." Police said the 24-year-old woman admitted to detectives that she slipped the drugs into veteranarian John Duckett's drink. Officers said Duckett knew something was wrong shortly after drinking some of the coffee Tuesday morning.

Officers said the woman cleaned the cages at the the Reynolds Road Animal Clinic.

A judge set bond at $25,000 Friday and a jailer said the woman was still being held Friday. Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 21.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090313/...uilized_coffee

What this story has to do with the recession is unclear to me, but it is relevant to the stupid part on at least 2 points. Spiking your boss's coffee with valium is one. Spelling veterinarian wrong is the other.

Glad they noted that the woman worked at an Animal Clinic or I would have assumed that Duckett might be involved in some kind of research on veterans.

Originally Posted by Viva La Migra

Good thing Duckett didn't kick the bucket!