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

Vikipollard

stoplurking wrote: »

Mr B I don't know what that Vikkipollard is on about but as the post has been thanked 4 times there must be something in what he/she has said. My post was certainly not intended to have anything horrible about it, so I'm sorry if it gave that impression. Have enjoyed reading your diary and hardly ever post on anyone's diaries so I must need some training! Good luck with the debt-busting and running. SL

Oooh, I didn't mean to imply anything with my post, really sorry if it came across that way:(. Your comment actually made me laugh out loud, but it does have a slightly different meaning round here!

Again, really sorry if I came across as implying outrage - I honestly thought the changed name was inspired. :T

patman99

Well done on the permanent contract MrB. and on all the ebay listings.

If you can think of each glass/bottle of wine as being a pile of pound coins, you might have more luck staying off the booze.

Honey_Bear

*delurks*

I cut out red wine for Lent (although I will admit to three lapses) and in the past I've been guilty of a bottle of wine a night. I can limit myself to one or two G&Ts, but not apparently with wine. Just a suggestion.

What is very odd is that, like you, I don't feel noticeably better, but I have noticed that I'm sleeping incredibly well. And I get a lot more done during the days. It hasn't helped with weight loss at all, which surprised and depressed me.

*returns to lurking*

MrBloater

Right - it's time for one of these serious talks to myself via the medium of this forum - I am coasting and I need to stop coasting. Coasting is going to lead to the danger of drifting or running aground (or any other negative nautical metaphor). It is not floating my boat.

I have to realise that
a) we appear to still be knocking small chunks off the total debt despite the reduced income
b) I have not turned into a quivering wreck by cutting out the booze (day 9 fact fans!)
c) beating myself up over what happened doesn't help anyone - and I was hardly a shining example of financial stability beforehand
d) all my aches and pains seem to be stress related - they always magnify themselves around the turn of the month and then once all the bills get paid and the finish line is in sight they subside.
e) April is likely to be the *worst* month - once these rapids are successfully navigated without crashing over the edge of the waterfall then I'll know my battleship won't get sunk before it all starts to get better in August (payment for some extra work in June should be through), then even better in September (reduced childcare costs) and even even better in November (one big chunky loan repayment ends)
f) but worrying about April won't make April any better - it'll make it worse.

So what I need to do is shut the heck up about it and start planning. Planning for how to stay financially and mentally fit. I've got to get back out on the road again. Got to. It is the only way - I'm a stubborn old goat and very set in my ways - took me nearly 4 decades to find an exercise I liked, so I have to get back on with it (from the weekend). I've also got to continue with the alcohol-free evenings. It's not making any difference to me not doing it so what is the point in doing it? And I have to push the boat out on the upping income - I keep relisting the same old tat on ebay and everytime I'm trawling single figure sales out of three figure listings - so the stuff I am trying to punt out is not that popular now. I need to get back into the understairs cupboard and get out some unlisted boxes of goodies and get photographing and get listing. And then when I have any spare time in between doing all of the above, holding down my job and trying to be the best Dad and Husband I can be - try writing something mainstream and bestsellerly.

Simples.

Cricri

Way to go MrBloater! That's the spirit, some people don't even bother trying. Like you, I used to drink a beer and smoke a fag a day and smoke, and found out that when I stopped, I didn't miss them at all, and my wallet was merrier.

For your auctions, can I suggest:
- List on Gumtree first. No obscene listing/selling/PayPal fees, good cash in hand. Then if that doesn't work, move the items on eBay where there's a wider audience.
- Maybe obvious, but wasn't to my dad: make sure to include brand and model number in title, that's what people will look for. Also take pictures on a clear/clean area (tiles, white table, etc). If it looks better, it will sell better. on eBay, you can always start at 99p to avoid listing fees, and if a couple of days from auction end noone bid and you only have 1 or 2 watchers, pull it down and back on Gumtree. Some might never sell, but statistically, some bits and bobs will go at some point! If you then have a massive amount of stuff, you might want to try a boot sale over a weekend (I never tried the latter, I have no debt, so if it's not selling, it goes to the charity shop).
- State the condition (especially if good/excellent/mint). Prefer "mint" than "as new" which could lead to argument ("as new" is not allowed terminology on eBay IIRC). If you are a pet free/smoke free home, say so.
- Also obvious, listing in the wrong category could lead to no sale, so if you don't mind spending a few extra minutes, get familiar with categories on Gumtree/eBay, and make sure to use the most appropriate.
- On Gumtree, include a map and mobile number: personally, if I can't check where the item physically is/can't call the owner, I don't bother asking unless I'm desperate!

NewLeaf_2

i tell you what, whenever I need to see an example of just plain gumption I come here to read you Mr. Bloater. You have hung on and made it work up and down mountains. I believe in you

stacey2193

I have only just come across this thread and have read so far the first and last pages. They were inspiring, so much so that I have subscribed and when I have more time I will sit down and read the entire thread. Its not often I have the incliniation to read pages and pages of a diary and haven't had the discipline to even keep posting in my own. Well done Mr B.

Much love

s x

firesidemaid

Hiya.

Well, you're already contributing to your debt payments by the reduction in alcohol purchases.

Re. some of the ebay stuff (vinyl) and the ones that don't sell. have you thought about offering them to a dealer or collector. you won't necessarily get much/lots for them but if they're not selling then they're not the rare ones and at least you'll clear some space and have made a chunk of money?:D

MrBloater

Yikes - 10 whole days since I posted on this thread and we have reached the payday sigh of relief. The halo has only slipped on a couple of occasions from my alcohol-free austerity, and I sure enjoyed those couple of slips.

Am trying to get hold of the council to change my payments to 12 monthly on the tax as that'll knock 20odd off the monthly bill and every bit helps on the big squeeze til September, and also found a new route to and from my new workplace which will save fuel as I'm not snarled in traffic - combined with checking out fuel prices obssessively now I should save 1 or 2 quid a week. Have had my listing limits upped to a healthy 220 per month so there is no excuse for not getting a lot of stuff out there - and thanks for the advice on gumtree and FB groups - will be looking at that as a halfway house for stuff that's not good enough for ebay but is too good for the boot fair.

Another of the many perks of my line of work rears its lovely head this afternoon - early finish today and then two and a bit weeks off. No excuses for not getting out running either - it will be a personal disgrace if I have to record a big fat zero on the run count for March.

ani_26

gallygirl wrote: »

Impressive Mr B, impressive

stoplurking wrote: »

Ahh. Mr Floater.

stoplurking wrote: »

Mr B I don't know what that Vikkipollard is on about but as the post has been thanked 4 times there must be something in what he/she has said. My post was certainly not intended to have anything horrible about it, so I'm sorry if it gave that impression.

Not at all. Love it. Very witty. Humour at its most basic? :rotfl::rotfl: :rotfl::rotfl::T