301k in debt and morbidly obese - things aren't great!

dalecousins

Hi Mr B I would recommend looking at the cambridge weight plan, 22 weeks ago I was almost 23 stone I am now 14 1/2 stone and feel great, my waist has gone from 46in to under 34in and my t-shirt size from very costly 4 to 5XL to L or even M in some shops. The great thing about it is that it gives you no chance to be bad with food as all your food is decided for you. It may also act as a long term money saving option as one single item of clothing for the larger man can be the same as a complete set of outfits for the rest of the family.
Also a great handy free program to use for managing the admin side of your bills insurance details and every other important bit of infomation is www_evernote_com I find it great being able to get to scanned copies of reference numbers or a place to put all the great ideas that I find on this site.

I also used the pizza hut code that gave you a full meal for £5 and we had a great meal out for 5 for only £15 when we had family stay a few weeks ago.

For all you iphone or ipod touch people out there my life saver with my debt fight was a program called pocket money it lets you put all your direct debit details in and all other regular monthly and yearly payments and salary details and lets you track what should be in your bank account at any point throughout the month, what I like to do is look at what is projected to be left the day before i next get paid when making the choice to spend any unplanned money as just because you have x amount in the bank does not mean it is there to be spent.

Online food shopping is a great way to save as you can see all the offers and BOGOF's that are available in your store and also when they will finish so can be great to stock up on just before the offer is due to end. And for the diet it stops you putting bad food items in the trolly.

I wish you all the best in your diet plans.

Dale.

Kat6

I found you through Martin's facebook alert. Love your style MrB and I second Carolb's suggestion.

You write in such a human way why don't you approach a local/regional paper about doing a regular column under a pseudonym (i.e. Mr Bloater).
They don't pay a lot but ... every little helps and you might find you get cheap local advertising for that cross-trainer a new paying hobby and an excellent recommendation for the diary to Mrs B when she eventually finds out

Keep up the great humour

taxi73

Am loving your sense of humour.You can do this I know how it feels.I too have been in a lot of debt £100k and it's now clear and also morbidly obese and have lost nearly 4 stone and fought cancer during this time...with your positive attitude I just know that you'll manage it..am off to subscribe and good luck with your whole journey.Sometimes it will feel as though you are treading through treacle and other days you'll fly through it.Please look after your health though and make sure you don't burn yourself out as nothing is more important than your health.

[Deleted User]

Hi MrB,

Well done on all you have achieved so far, you are doing brilliantly. With regard to money challenges, have you had a look over at the £2 Savers Club? We are a friendly lot over there.

Here's the link: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2928368

I'm thoroughly enjoying reading your diary and I think you are doing great.

I echo what Taxi said please make sure you look after yourself.

Tea
x

MrBloater

Am self-righteously sweating after another 3k run this morning - reversed the route so that those who normally get freaked out by the lumbering bulk that is me slowly accelerating past them on their way to the station now had to confront me face on and were able to step out of the way. All the family appear to be talking to me today which is also nice, Mrs B is already planning where to put the Christmas tree. I had a few suggestions but decided to keep them to myself.

Am amazed and a little scared at the amount of attention this thread is getting, it is surreal to see people discussing it on facebook - most of them seem a lot angrier than the MSE'rs - you lot are great and I take on board all the suggestions, advice and praise - and hope to be in a position soon to be able to give a lot of support back to others.

Karmacat

You mean this Christmas tree? :xmastree:


The suggestion about writing for a magazine is really a good one, you know :j you write so well, you're affecting the future snowmen of this country :snow_laug:snow_laug:snow_laug

I'm glad the family are talking to you :j


Ooh, serious bit: somebody was recommending a spending diary on the previous page, totally agree - if you're puzzled about where the money's actually going, its the only way to find out.

LianneH

your diary is fab! It has made me smile today. You should look into writing for a mag or websites because your writiing style is very moreish - love it!

Good luck in your debt - free / weight loss journey.

Why do all our diaries and posts on MSE seem to be our "little secrets"? Mine is too! lol

Betsie2010

Hi Mr B

Another 1 of the many who was sent the link via Martin, came over, read and stayed. I echo what many have already said about trying to find a paper who would be willing to publish your diary as a column. You have a very natural style which is great to read.
So you gave me the proverbial "kick up the bottom" to finally get my accounts package up and running. Was up til mid night last night entering all the direct debits and 1 Bank Account. It actually looks a lot worse this morning as I still have another Bank Account to enter and it is making my debts look huge (even more than they should be) Although my debts are not in your scale they are still debts and I need to pay them off. 2 are on 0% Credit cards but 1 is not and that is my goal to clear it before Christmas. I am trying to only spend cash, but it is amazing how many times I withdraw cash from the Bank.
Anyway, hopefully onwards and downwards.
Good luck

donny-gal

The aforesaid Spending Diary is the way to go, for all the family, yes it is a PITA, but it does show how the pounds slip away and add up. Maybe a easier way is to count the cash in your wallet/purse/pocket in the morning, try to get receipts for everything during the day, and then see what you have left at the end of the day, and see if you can account for it all . DG

yellowbear

Subscribing!

Fab diary, keep it up!