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

MrBloater

Another drop in weight - just have to steel myself for the day when I hit the scales and find I've plateaued or even added some more back on. Hopefully all hell will not be let LOOSE at that point. Quietly unproductive day yesterday - still involved in ongoing drama about my car, today however is all about the park, painting and fixing furniture, paperwork and ebay in that order. Done another 5k in my crocs - in my summer running attire I look like the bad guy/village idiot from a Hammer House of Horror Surf Movie.

roxy7699

Mr Bloater, I have read your thread from the start and I think you have done so well. It inspired me to get back on the boards and play tetris with my whole house.

Igamogam

Mr B there is a FLW on the horizon....are you ready???

MrBloater

FLW on the horizon? Bring it on.

Been at my mountain of paperwork since 7am - even ditched the daily 5k in favour of concentrating on domestic chores (martyr). But I have a question for all you wise owls out there - how much paperwork do I need?

Am faced with a pile accumulated in the last 12 years (since I got domesticated by Mrs of bank statements, insurance policies, loan agreements, a heap of stuff from DVLA / NI / CTF etc etc. How far back do I need to keep stuff - and am I right in thinking that if policies have expired / loans have been repaid etc then I need not keep any trace of them whatsoever? Any help much appreciated in tackling this mountain. Weight stayed the same today which is likely because the wife led me into temptation last night with a packet of salt n vinegar curly twists which took me over my calorie limit. Vixen.

Igamogam

Paper work................. now I used to laugh at my OH for keeping stuff that was almost written with a quill...........but with recent PPI carp it did pay off ( have you revisited your PPI Mr B ?) We also seem to have a paper mountain but have been more ruthless of late- utilities CC and bank statements are all electronic now. We have copies of old loan agreements/mortgage - but that only amounts to a few sheets of paper so not too bad. All DVLA stuff and old car/house insurance stuff we get rid of...........................I think its what you feel happy with keeping and how much space you want to give over to storing stuff. The trick is once you have decided what to keep and what to ditch, is to be ruthless with paper as it comes into the house and don't let it accumulate.............I should really listen to my own advice

Somebody will be along soon with the answer

triple_choc_chip

I would say to keep old loans, accounts etc until you are sure there will be no further claims such as PPI, otherwise ditch it once it goes over 6 years, which is the maximum time that HMRC require.

Be careful relying online statements for banks, building societies etc. If you close your account, you no longer have access to them - something I hope they will improve in the future. If you are able (and anal!), you could always scan them and save to usb stick

I don't keep old utility bills except for comparison, I like to upset myself by reading how much cheaper the heating oil was 6 years ago! :rotfl:

MrBloater

Paperwork mountain took a lot longer to scale than anticipated - how come I always get more done when I have less time? The beast is nearly tamed now and almost all contained in a concertina file. Found we have some special policy on the paintwork of Mrs B's car so that'll be put to good use as she has some random marks on there that won't come off.

Weight down again - calorie counting and exercise are still doing exactly what they should be - have almost remedied all the damage done since April now and should be back on track.

Igamogam

"special policy" for paint work?? You are not paying for that are you Mr B? I know what:money: would say !!

beanielou

Good news on paperwork mountain & weight :j

MrBloater

@Igam: One-off cost at purchase. Wish I had had it on the other car as fixing the scratch on that will cost considerably more than the price of the cover.

Today the line was crossed between Holiday Relaxation and Unemployed Torpor. It has been getting progressively more difficult to motivate myself to do anything, let alone anything productive. The lack of 5k today was good for the various lesions and aches I have but bad for me mentally.