Well, it’s not entirely unexpected, but my National Guard infantry battalion was formally alerted today to prepare for mobilization for operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom within a week.
I went down and bought some more uniforms on saturday, anyway, in preparation for this call.
So what to do? I’m a freelance magazine writer by trade, and I called a couple of editors I had contracts with and informed them I wouldn’t be able to guarantee I could complete their assignments before I was called up. So if I DON’T get mobilized (although that’s a real outside chance), this will cost me a couple of grand.
Also, I’m sitting on a month-to-month lease on an apartment. Should I go ahead and sign the lease and rent the apartment for the year or two I’m gone (I’m single and live alone)
Or shall I call Bekins and have all my belongings put into storage and vacate the apartment should I get mobilized, thereby saving myself 900 bucks/month?
That will be nice money to have when I get back, but the hassle factor is extremely high.
Also, I expect a check for a couple of grand for a magazine article to arrive in the mail early next week. Shall I hire a financial advisor with limited power of attorney to deposit it for me? How does that work? Anyone know?
Or shall I take my chances that it will eventually catch up to me in the military mail system, although I will be changing stations several times during the mobilization process?
The mind boggles, and I only have a few days to make it all happen.
Of course, I’ll probably blow it all cruising the Straight Dope Message Board.
I’d go with the storage, unless there is a likely chance that you’ll bne able to sublet the apartment within a week. Also, a lot of complexes don’t like for an apartment to sit vacant (even if your rent is paid and your stuff is still there).
Of course, I also see paying $900 a month for space you’re not using as wasteful, but that may just be my POV.
Get yourself a good trusted friend and give him or her power of attorney for anything you don’t expect. Then, sit down and figure out how much it will cost you to keep the apartment, and/or release it (may have to talk to your landlord about this). And keep this in mind: Where will you live when you get back? It’s always nice to have your own place to hang out in with all your stuff, instead of having to hit the bricks to find a new pad just after coming home.
My advice? Keep the apartment, but have a friend watch over it. Turn off all yer utilities except what you need, and have your pal check in on it periodically. Your friend should also have depository POA on your behalf, so that’ll take care of your check.
I’ve done this once or twice before. Do what you gotta do, and then go have some fun.
