The advice thread for random problems

[BettyCrockerr]

No, I know that. My postie is a diamond. I just meant that we should be able to refuse it and most people would.
I have a job picking it up and cant have a letterbox cage as my door then won't fully open. it's a pain.

Put an outside letter box on the wall outside your front door at chest height so you can open it and get your mail without having to bend down, separate any junk mail. Burn junk mail. Sorted.

 

[BaffledWarthog]

So bit of a strange one this, an not sure if this is somthing I need to contact police about

A while ago I was woken at around 2am with someone standing opposite my garden, the house looks onto a nature reserve an there's a path that goes round it, thought 2am was a bit of a strange time for someone to be out so watched a bit an they seemed to stand for quite a while with a dulled down torch, so grabbed my phone in the hopes it could focus an grab a pic even though it was dark an they suddenly took off running

Few nights later, same thing although it was around midnight this time, stood for ages with a dulled torch an then walked off, thought perhaps maybe they done nightshift an this is them walking a dog an they were just waiting on it, but then started to realise that they didn't seem to be watching anything other than the houses plus the way they ran off last time didn't feel like they had a dog and also why run off if that's what you were doing

Just got them tonight again, it's 20 to 1 in the morning an definitely no dog, torch was bright an they looked like they were looking for somthing, kept shinning it across the reserve an then towards the house before going back across the reserve then turned off the torch after catching the house windows an walked off with the torch turned off

Am I just being paranoid? Will police even be intrested in this or would I be wasting their time

I would definitely raise some sort of awareness about this - be it to the police or a local community page. Maybe you'd benefit from a ring doorbell camera if you don't already have one just in case. If you live by a nature reserve all I can think he might be doing is frog gigging but it didn't seem like you described him with anything in his hands apart from the torch. Sounds dodgy - I'd report for peace of mind and maybe install cameras

 

[barmcake]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I thought there was a scam thread but could not find it.
Free Hugh G Free, [Jun 12, 2022 at 09:45]
Straight from the City of London Police fraud team - Extremely sophisticated scam going about this week, involving all banks. You get a message saying a payment hasn’t been taken e.g O2, Vodafone, 3, Giff Gaff or EE and to click here. As soon as you touch it your money is gone. They already have all your details and it’s the most advance scam the bank has ever seen. Pass this on to everyone please. This is straight from work this morning - the banks are being inundated with calls - thousands flying out of peoples accounts! Spread the word to your family and friends!”
Be vigilant !!!!

As confirmed by Martin Lewis this morning!

 

[becca7721]

Hi! (TMI warning in advance)

I haven’t actually posted before but just looking for some advice …..

I’m not currently trying to conceive but we are planning on trying again in the near future (not currently not on any birth control just tracking my period and avoiding the ovulating week according to an app I have)

I felt a little sick a couple days ago and last night I took my period, 4 days early, I woke this morning and it was really heavy and has continued to be all day, way more than it ever has been in my life before, I have had some cramps but nothing unbearable, but there is a lot of blood (TMI) with what looks like some clots (but then again I don’t inspect other periods so this might be nothing?)

I don’t want to seem over dramatic and say I think im having a miscarriage as I haven’t experienced that before and didn’t miss a period to take a test - can anyone offer any advice does this seem like a random extremely heavy period that’s come on early or something else? Also if you were worried it was a miscarriage would you just see it through at home or seek medical advice, I’m really naive about this as you can probably tell and don’t really want to worry anyone over nothing!

If I was you I’d phone 111 for advice.

 

[Purrrrrrr]

I hope any dog owners reading this have strong dog leads. Sorry for the loss of your dear pussy cat

Thank you my lovely. It was a complete fluke. The D-link snapped. it must have been faulty.

One thing I will say though if you have a greyhound or lurcher type who is lazy and just plods along.. never trust that it won't get the strength of a bear if it sees a cat running. I see the lady the other day and they now have the dog muzzled. I think that is a good thing with a breed like that. because it could rip the lead out of your hands if you are not expecting it to bolt.

 

[Carapop]

Thank you both. I welled up reading your replies so I know its just under the surface.

Gosh you’re so kind and compassionate to even consider anyone else in this circumstance. I have no words of advice but wanted to say that. And I’m so so sorry for your loss.

 

[newaccount2022]

@Purrrrrrr ignore everything I said in my first message!!!! She is a witch.

she feels sorry for you spending time behind a screen when she’s the one searching out people online to message and ask for lifts?!?! Give me strength

Facebook breeds weirdos

 

[Carapop]

I’m so sorry to read this. I’m sure people won’t mind you posting here. They seem to be very lovely. The struggle to make sense will be shock and I know it’s easier said than done but it won’t make sense, these things never do, I’ve been through it twice and neither made sense.

For now, don’t be hard on yourself, be kind, are you on your own? Do you feel able to read or listen to an audiobook to get you through the night to the train? Middle of the night is the worst time for bad thoughts and overthinking. I found reading helped, if I was able and when I’m not I listen to an audiobook. At the moment I’m reading about Amish quilt making - I know nothing about Amish or making quilts but it helps keep dark thoughts under control.

I don’t have any answers or other advice; I hope someone else will pop along too. I only had two hours sleep last night so can’t stay up unfortunately as unwell.

You sweetheart thank you for your kindness. I think a podcast might be a good idea actually! I can’t focus on words on a page and sleep just isn’t happening. I’m so sorry that you’ve been through this but I so appreciate your understanding and kindness

 

[Snowjoke]

So.

I was driving at Asda last month, i think I hit a car (scuffed it) but when I got out to check I think it was just the post and not a car and I’ve had an email / calls off my insurance saying someone has claimed.
Now - I’ve not admitted I’m at fault cos I’ve just said I’m not sure if I was there, the Asda they’re talking about is a while off me and I wouldn’t generally to unless I needed something urgently. please nobody have a go, I don’t want to admit I might have scuffed it cos I genuinely thought i hit the post. My car didn’t have any damage on it.

All they’ve got is my reg, and not sure if they’ve got any cctv either. They’re waiting for more information. I really don’t want to lose the 1 year of no claims I’ve got, 2 in October….. my insurance will go up to around £800 again. Has anyone been in this situation? Thank you x

I would be very careful here. You’ve noted that you hit the post so that would lead me to think there would be a high possibility that you’ve hit the car too and just didn’t see the damage. The fact that your insurance company have contacted you about it means they already have your details, either from CCTV or someone near by that may have seen you hit the other vehicle and left the owner a note with your registration number - this happens a lot.

Not having a go but I would be very careful how you play this with your insurer as if they are successful and it’s a valid claim you could be flagged for leaving the scene knowing that you’ve caused damage to property and another vehicle. If a valid claim goes in this will be highlighted to your insurance and it won’t look good. It also could make it hard for you to obtain insurance elsewhere in the future if it goes down this route

ETA I have experience in this field before anyone thinks I’m having a go

 

[Melian]

I went to the opticians yesterday and at the grand old age of 64, it's been decided I need glasses. Boo

Apparently, if you are on income-based ESA You can get a voucher towards the cost .. How do you know if you are on income-based? I've looked through my paperwork and can't find anything other than ESA . although I know I am on the income-based one, only because I was on the wrong one for years and didn't know and they finally switched me to the income-based one

What do I need to do to get this voucher? or is that something the opticians sort out?





Edited to say found something that says I am on income-related ESA,, So that's ok. but what do I do now?

The optician may ask you for proof of award so it's worth taking the award letter.

 

[candyland_]

You can just tell the optician that you’re on esa and they tick a box and sort it for you.

I went to the opticians yesterday and at the grand old age of 64, it's been decided I need glasses. Boo

Apparently, if you are on income-based ESA You can get a voucher towards the cost .. How do you know if you are on income-based? I've looked through my paperwork and can't find anything other than ESA . although I know I am on the income-based one, only because I was on the wrong one for years and didn't know and they finally switched me to the income-based one

What do I need to do to get this voucher? or is that something the opticians sort out?





Edited to say found something that says I am on income-related ESA,, So that's ok. but what do I do now?

 

[Fearne]

I’ve been in a new job for 9 months, I was employed on a full time basis, with a dual role (3 days doing one thing, 2 another). It still hasn’t materialised, so I work 5 days doing what I should be doing for 3. I don’t like what I’m doing. The company is a mess. The senior leaders lack direction. I’m told the two days will start mid-Sept.

I’ve seen two jobs come up I’m interested in. Apply by early Sept.

Do I stick it out or do I apply for other things?

Apply for the other things.

The haven't followed through from the start so why believe it will start mid September? Don't be miserable in a job you don't enjoy

 

[Fearne]

Can anyone recommend a good place to buy a sofa from? Never know whether to trust online reviews tbh and/or those who gift their products to influencers!!

I know it also gets its bad reviews but I actually really rate DFS. I think yu always just get what you pay for. I paid about £800 for a corner sofa about 7 years ago and it's still in very good condition now. I would go for a firm cushion, you think, it's going to be sat on everyday, it's gets a lot of wear and worth spending more to get something that lasts

 

[WilmaHun]

Does anyone know how you can check your credit rating where it won't affect it, I've heard from some that checking can make it worse

So I've had my credit card maybe around a year now, it's my first one an was incredibly hard to get being unemployed but obvs I needed to build credit as no credit is bad credit which is stupid imo

The one I got has a limit of £200 which is fine but I don't know how my credit score is doing, I've been spending little bits an then paying it off in one when the bill comes, I assume that helps the credit rating go up, or does it go up when am paying some off it each month?

Checking your credit rating only requires a soft search on your credit file and will not be detrimental to your score. It's the hard searches which happen when you make a credit application that impact it if you make too many or get declined.

 

[littlepup]

.Of course it might not be in there, the little rat might have it in their hand luggage.
I don’t know I’m just so so so so so angry

It could have been airport staff that robbed it, or anyone really. But if it was locked, baggage staff have a little device to open them so they could have been in and out when it was returned to the airport, knowing it couldn’t be proven to be them.
Then you’d be basically stealing an other innocent persons belongings.

Also, If I had stolen it, assuming it’s worth thousands, I’d never put it back in the case if I’d already had it lost on the outbound.

Check your house insurance in case it’s covered.

 

[WeepingCassandra]

Obviously not, it's because they stated this an didn't keep their word, makes me think they just want to weed out anyone that has it since it's know in this town that MH and disabilities are discriminated against, there's even company's I know won't hire woman, calling them useless but nothing gets done

THANK YOU

yes they said they were part of this

This may help you - https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...bled-people-and-people-with-health-conditions

As you can see, it's all about making adjustments for people who are suited to the job. Unless you can hand on heart go through the job description and show exactly why you are the perfect person for that job (and have written it in your application) they haven't done anything wrong.

 

[littlepup]

No its been the houses past two times I've seen them, they were facing the house with the torch held low so it only really caught the garden, I assumed the touch was dulled down so that if they caught the windows by accident then they didn't alert anyone like they would have if it had been bright, this morning though it was being shone across the reserve before they they turned it to the house but they were holding it low so it didn't hit the top windows, when they hit my window which I assume was a mistake it instantly got turned off an they walked away

I couldn't see it being drugs being hidden, it's insanly busy with people walking dogs during the day an kids out playing an dog walkers start around 5am, an no one else appears during the night/morning after this person until the dog walkers start to come out

Ah ok, I was thinking it was a quiet/rural type area. Sounds dodgy - I don’t think it would hurt to inform the police as a non-emergency.

 

[Orphan_Black]

I’m looking to paint my tv unit but not sure about the best way to do this. It’s a fairly cheap piece of furniture, I think it’s MDF (think Ikea style). Does anyone know what type of paint is best? Would I need to prime first? It’s currently an off-white colour and I’d be looking to paint it quite a dark charcoal. Would a roller be best or a brush? Or even scrap the idea of painting and try vinyl wrap?

It doesn’t need to be perfect, just experimenting to see if I’d like a darker style unit. Can’t afford a new one atm so going with this option first.

Vinyl wrap would be a better option if it's just an experiment as it can be peeled off (and would eventually regardless of how well it had been applied.) WD40 gets rid of sticky residue if you do pull it back off.

I've painted MDF style bits before. Best option is a light sanding and a furniture paint in the colour you like, a couple of thin coats would eliminate the need for a primer imo. If you use standard paint/gloss etc, it'll eventually rub away as you dust it (tv's attract dust like no man's business!)


At the end of the day though, you can do it, hate it, and just try something different, no worries! Have fun!

 

[Pesky Tarian]

Abreviated version

A delivery driver nearly drove into me this morning. I had to stop to prevent it. I was in the right but he started berating me really badly and filming me. The business he delivered to had to make him move his vehicle so I could move mine. I am so embarrased about the whole situation.

Do I complain to his company or write a negative review? Or just leave it alone.
I don’t think a business would really care anout their drivers behaviour imo they might pretend but then do nothing.
Is writing a negative review overkill.
I actually just want some justice for my ego Can’t tell you guys how embarrassed I am by it. I work on this estate and it caused quite the commotion

Hope you're ok, I totally get needing to soothe your ire.

I would leave it a couple days (so not obvious) and write a scathing review under a pseudonym, but that's just me .

 

[Snippysnips]

I have a question - how do people get used to waking up early? I have to be awake at 6:30AM for work and I always feel so tired when I wake up and when I finish work (3PM). It honestly is the only reason that puts me off having children (we will want to start trying in a few years). How do I get used to it? Or how can I stop myself feeling so tired generally? 🥲

I've heard from others that drinking a glass of water right before bed can help them get up in the mornings easier, probably cause they need the toilet but it seems to work for them

Is your room kept really dark? I keep mine incredible dark so I use one of those alarm lights that gradually start to make the room lighter until its time I need to get up, they are meant to mimic the sun rising an give natural light into the room an when they hit the brightest that's your "alarm" for me getting up when it's dark is so hard an I still feel I could easily sleep another 3 hours but I can feel fine getting up when the rooms nice an bright