Army, then fourteen years at Renton PDLicensed in five statesNo office hours
Police, fire, medics, dispatch
I already know what your week looks like.
You are not going to have to explain shift work to me, or why your pay stub looks like that. I did fourteen years of it.
Any of this sound familiar?
Four tens and a lot of overtimeHome at five, kids up at sixCourt overtime nobody can predictHoliday pay that lands in lumpsWorking nights since MarchA second job on your days offFour tens and a lot of overtimeHome at five, kids up at sixCourt overtime nobody can predictHoliday pay that lands in lumpsWorking nights since MarchA second job on your days off
Your spouse works daysNo full weekend since the springA promotion that changed everythingDetail work on top of the rosterMandatory overtime you did not ask forSleeping while the street is awakeYour spouse works daysNo full weekend since the springA promotion that changed everythingDetail work on top of the rosterMandatory overtime you did not ask forSleeping while the street is awake
§What they tell you
Six things somebody has probably already said to you.
“Overtime does not really count.”
It counts. How long you have earned it decides how much of it counts.
“Shift differential is not real income.”
It is income. It is just income that takes looking for.
“You need twenty percent down.”
Most people I close do not put down twenty percent.
“Two jobs makes you look risky.”
Two jobs is a history. It usually helps.
“Clear all your debt before you even try.”
Sometimes. Often one small balance matters more than all of it.
“You have to use the lender your agent suggested.”
You never have to. Ask what the two of them have to do with each other.
§Why I get it
I was on the other side of this before I did this.
5Years in the Army
2Deployments
14Years at Renton PD
5States licensed
I worked graveyard for years. I know what it is to get home at five in the morning while the kids are getting up, and to be asked to think clearly about paperwork a few hours later.
So if I know you work nights, I am not going to call you at nine in the morning. A text at nine at night is sometimes the only window there is, and that is fine by me.
It also means the humor can go where it goes. You are not going to say anything to me that I have not heard, or said myself at four in the morning.
§The words
Every word above worth explaining, and the ones coming next.
§What happens now
Bring me your scenario.
Not an application. A situation. Tell me what it actually looks like and I will tell you straight what I see.