Some days lately, it feels like I'm driving an RV from signing to signing. Especially with gasoline prices for regular unleaded now approaching $4.00 a gallon. In 2004, I bought a brand new mini Cooper "S"... 
I highly recomend this car...it is the most fun you'll ever have behind the wheel of a daily-driver. It's not bad on gas, at about 30mpg, and quicker than anything in its class, it is just a blast. Unfortunately, with no room for a spare, one is forced to purchase the "performance" run-flats that are designed specifically for this little mover at about $400 a pop. Proper tuning by BMW is also not an inexpensive proposition. Buying this little baby at the peak of my notary signing career was both a blessing and a curse as I quickly racked up the miles and made lots of money. By 2006, the car was still running strong at 180,000 miles but, the maintenance, with a slowing business was beginning to make little sense. I finally let my baby go with a vow that one day I would buy another brand new one, just for the garage Monday through Friday and just for me and the open road on weekends.
I'm toying with the idea of increasing my trip charges due to the 
nasty gas prices we are all enduring right now...my fees have been at a minimum "trip" charge of $25 for what I call "mobile notary" signings for few documents (plus a per signature charge of course). I have held that fee in place since my last increase in February of 2005. Lately, I have held the line on pricing but fear I must raise them soon to stay alive. Loan package pricing is the only saving grace and we all know how little work there has been in the refi market this last year.
Perhaps I'll come up with another way to save fuel that is more "wind resistant". I thought about a hybrid when I bought the 2006 Honda civic I now drive. What stopped me you ask? The additional six thousand dollars on the sticker price. Why? Because when you wear out a car in two years, that extra $6k just doesn't pencil out...
I can't wait for the wall-to-wall return of my signing volume...and my new mini Cooper for Saturday mornings!
"A Quick Note"
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