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

firesidemaid

My tuppence worth after following your thread from the start and spending a lot of time on this site on a lot of different boards.....

think about what your priorities are, to both you and your family - what the right thing is to do at this point isn't necessarily what you will do forever.

i think that you have realised that you need to tackle the debt. once you have no debts (and even no mortgage) then you have more choice as such, and could go completely freelance.

gallygirl

MrBloater wrote: »

2) Although it won't be lap of luxury comfort on the reduced income - am I really going to have the desire/need to get the freelance stuff off the ground? I could end up, cos I am pretty good at what I do, rising up in the new place and soon be on near enough what I am on. But by doing that I could missing out on the chance of controlling my own destiny.

But you ARE controlling your own destiny Mr B. Firstly, you agreed a package at work rather than let things drift. Secondly, you've turned down the lucrative mother ship offer. Thirdly, you've turned down the 'convenient' option. If that isn't controilling your destiny then what is?

What decision would you make if you 'only' had your mortgage debt? Would you go for self employment then? If so, then that is how you take control of your destiny. Take the safe option, and use your spare time to minimise the debt so that you can reconsider the position a year/18m from now. Also use the time to actively plan new opportunities and come up with a business paln you feel confident with. I don't know what field you are actually in - is it something you could do during the holidays to build up contacts/experience (and a little more cash).

Keep calm and drink tea.

GG x

satchmo1

Mr B, you said the post with people you respect is local, which will presumably save money and time on commuting? The saved money can partially offset the lower salary. The saved time could be ringfenced for freelance work. Diarise the saved time in the same way you would a key meeting, and solidly write for that hour (or however long) EVERY day. You'll soon have sufficient material for a series of Kindle books, and/or freelance magazine articles. Or commercially viable blogs. We love your blog here (check your hits), so you'd soon build up a loyal following.

Carpe diem, Mr B. Onwards and upwards. etc etc

NewLeaf_2

there is a lot to be said for working with people you like xx

short_bird

satchmo1 wrote: »

Mr B, you said the post with people you respect is local, which will presumably save money and time on commuting? The saved money can partially offset the lower salary. The saved time could be ringfenced for freelance work. Diarise the saved time in the same way you would a key meeting, and solidly write for that hour (or however long) EVERY day. You'll soon have sufficient material for a series of Kindle books, and/or freelance magazine articles. Or commercially viable blogs. We love your blog here (check your hits), so you'd soon build up a loyal following.

Carpe diem, Mr B. Onwards and upwards. etc etc

What Satchmo said.
Also, bird in hand... 2 in bush etc:D

MrBloater

Words of wisdom very much appreciated. No real developments here to report - have the contract sitting in my pocket and intend signing and posting it back tonight so that'll be that done with.

Regular readers will no doubt be heartened to learn that the cardboard collection has started again, a box here and there, a stray jiffy bag rescued from a recycle bin at work - ebay season is almost upon us I feel. Time to take the kids on another foraging expedition for another "cardboard dinosaur" - as the local supermarket fired all its staff for some alleged malarky, nobody there is going to remember that I used that excuse last year.

taxi73

For what it's worth I think you've made the right deciscion to sign that contract as it will at least help keep the wolves from the door and as somebody suggested above less commuting time can equal more time to pursue freelance stuff.You also can work your way up the pay scale again and respect the people you are going to work for.
I guess you'll be able to save money in other ways too with not commuting as far

short_bird

Free listing again this weekend, can that be shoehorned into the plans?

patman99

Don't forget there is always 'Ebid'. I know you have to pay for a lifetime sellers account, but from personal experience I can say that of late, my sales on Ebid have out-stripped those on ebay by a large margin.

Btw, good luck with the job. Reminds me that I have a form to fill-in. Must get this done by tomorrow.

MrBloater

Morning all. Developed flu-like symptoms last night (but as Mrs B also has it then I guess it's real flu not manflu) and so was merrily popping the Benylin during a sleepless night. Didn't realise until this morning that there were 'day' and 'night' ones in the packet and I'd been popping the wrong ones. Still, with as many chemicals coursing through my veins as a professional cyclist, I thought it would be a fine opportunity to go for a run - and hence am back from a 5k trundle. Feel like hell but feel great too.

Almost another twist in the job saga but will save the details for the book I'm going to write about it, and accept the job offer with old colleagues. It's further away than where I work now, so no time/money saved on the commute.

All my efforts now have to be the other angles of my life - getting back on track with the fitness and extra income. Can't let this free listing weekend slip away from me, and am heartened to learn that despite not exactly following a strict calorie controlled diet over the last fortnight, I've only put on a kilo.