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

patator

I only just found your diary and, though I haven't read through the whole lot, I have flitted through it and just wanted to say...you're both very inspiring and very funny! I love that you've got a sense of humour...and also that you're still smiling despite having (what sounds like a few) setbacks. Plus, look at your signature...it's going down slowly but surely, which is great to see! You're doing great, even though things seem a little tricky

*subscribes*

MrBloater

Backside does not appear to have been sufficiently kicked although I do thank those who tried. I am in danger of drifting off into complacency - which is somewhat reckless. Or maybe I'm in danger of drifting off into recklessness - which is somewhat complacent. It's too early for all this. OK, here's a list of stuff that is bugging the heck out of me.
- Damn PPI claim. It would appear Ombudsman lost my original claim form so has asked me to fill out another - trouble is that I had it on PC and now it's gone, plus I had added some bits by hand as well and I have no copy of that either. Have looked through the multitide of ancient computers we have here and none appear to have it on them.

- Blooming Services - maybe it's cos they've always been in Mrs B's name but I've never really felt that close to the gas / electric / water vibe in this house. I did manage to hunt down all the most recent bills but cannot face the interminable plugging in of data only to find we are still on the best tariff. We also got one of those really useful meter things that sit middleclassly on your kitchen top and count out how many innocent trees you are killing by leaving the lights on. It has sat unused in the box for over a year now.

- eBay - hardly made up for the grand a month I am down - it probably got me about a hundred - but I had a few chancers this time bidding on stuff and it kind of sapped the fun out of it. Even storing stuff in the understairs cupboard hasn't brought the fizz back. My collection of Dinky toy cars are now set for listing but that just makes me sad rather than excited.

- I also have to make a long-term decision about my job soon - do I commit long-term or go for some other oppurtunities that are rearing their heads. It's far from a bad problem to have - having spent two years unemployed at the turn of the century and being grateful to get a £5 an hour temp job in a chicken processing factory I know what it's like to have no options whatsoever so I'm not being complacent about that - I really do have to make a stark choice now between less pay, less responsibility (which will lead to greater frugality and time at home) or more pay, more responsibility (which will mean we can go back to Plan A and I'll be top of the list to be offed when the bad guys move into the next place I'm working at).

And the fates have collided to such an extent that for the first time in probably forever, Mrs B and both little Bloaters are otherwise occupied at various friends' houses this afternoon -so I am free to sit back and enjoy in peace the feast of sport that is err, rugby. Despite being perfectly built for said sport, it has never inspired me. On my debut (and final) appearance for my school rugby team I got bored after about 10 minutes and just walked off the pitch and back to the changing room. I should have probably not taken the ball with me.

fredandwilma

fredandwilma wrote: »

How about this?

MrBloater wrote: »

- I also have to make a long-term decision about my job soon - do I commit long-term or go for some other oppurtunities that are rearing their heads. It's far from a bad problem to have - having spent two years unemployed at the turn of the century and being grateful to get a £5 an hour temp job in a chicken processing factory I know what it's like to have no options whatsoever so I'm not being complacent about that - I really do have to make a stark choice now between less pay, less responsibility (which will lead to greater frugality and time at home) or more pay, more responsibility (which will mean we can go back to Plan A and I'll be top of the list to be offed when the bad guys move into the next place I'm working at).

.

Mr B. Do you think anyone ever cares about YOU, in the workplace?


Is it SO important chasing a career and money?


There are few things important in life, and spending time with those you love and who love you, is just about the only thing that is.


The best things in life are free, (so they say.)


Why spend your life agonising it away?


Whatever will be, will be.

Igamogam

MrBloater wrote: »

- Damn PPI claim. It would appear Ombudsman lost my original claim form so has asked me to fill out another - trouble is that I had it on PC and now it's gone, plus I had added some bits by hand as well and I have no copy of that either. Have looked through the multitide of ancient computers we have here and none appear to have it on them.

A lesson learnt???? Similar problem here once has now made us a slave to the hard copy kept in a hard metal filing cabinet and not on our own herd of PCs laptops and memory gizmoes - which are also multiplying at a rate of knots..............:cool:

I did manage to hunt down all the most recent bills but cannot face the interminable plugging in of data only to find we are still on the best tariff.

I think its a conspiracy this energy saving lark and best tariffs as we get the same too although it did send it all into a tizzy when we installed solar panels...........:D.

We also got one of those really useful meter things that sit middleclassly on your kitchen top and count out how many innocent trees you are killing by leaving the lights on. It has sat unused in the box for over a year now.

Get it plugged in and have a bit of fun with it. You may be surprised just how much electricity you can save.............. then give it away on fr**gle

- eBay - hardly made up for the grand a month I am down - it probably got me about a hundred - but I had a few chancers this time bidding on stuff and it kind of sapped the fun out of it. Even storing stuff in the understairs cupboard hasn't brought the fizz back. My collection of Dinky toy cars are now set for listing but that just makes me sad rather than excited.

Cant comment about Eb*Y - they are a load of money grabbing bar stewards who think 4.8 out of 5 constitutes a below standard score and therefore a 'threat to the Eb*y community' , when its well above average and do they pay their corporate taxes?

- I also have to make a long-term decision about my job soon

Toughie. But only you have the answers on that one

err, rugby.

Enjoy!:D:D

patman99

Nice to know the job is going well. Fingers crossed you will soon see a chance for promotion.

Jazee

Loved the comment about the leccy thingy. I sent off for all sorts of water saving devices. Two problems, a bit fiddly so I'll leave DH to fit them and everything has a long planning time with him, and we're not metered, so I have no sense of urgency even though I love to do my bit so save the planet.

Hope this next week is better for you Mr B.

MrBloater

February appears to have brought with it a whole new set of issues. Got some old boxes brought up to me last week from my folks - a collection of dinky and corgi toys - some boxed in good condition. Having checked the completed listings of similar products I've got a decent chance of making some money on them - but, and maybe it's just cos I'm waiting for a bloke to come round and collect my beloved childhood Atari console for a paltry 50quid, I'm being taken back to my early years and I just hope, I just pray that by selling all this stuff it'll never get to the situation where my kids look back on their childhood the way I do on mine.

lionheartedgirl

just popping in to say Hi Mr B. I need to get to grips with ebay this month too, my gap between income and outgoings is similar and the wolf is near the door.

Also wanted to thank Cranny44 for the Mike Gayle link - I hadn't heard of him before but the pages about how he spends his working day really helped me, so many thanks for posting it.

short_bird

Mr B, have you considered renting a stand at a toy fair or a real, live auction room for your stuff?

vitesse

MrBloater wrote: »

February appears to have brought with it a whole new set of issues. Got some old boxes brought up to me last week from my folks - a collection of dinky and corgi toys - some boxed in good condition. Having checked the completed listings of similar products I've got a decent chance of making some money on them - but, and maybe it's just cos I'm waiting for a bloke to come round and collect my beloved childhood Atari console for a paltry 50quid, I'm being taken back to my early years and I just hope, I just pray that by selling all this stuff it'll never get to the situation where my kids look back on their childhood the way I do on mine.

I'm going through similar thoughts, got a bunch of things I could sell but they're either from my childhood or were bought as "collectables" and would sell for less than I paid, and what if I decide to start collecting again....

Although none of my old Corgi cars are boxed and in good condition, unfortunately.