The grumpy thread

4,530 · February 25

Decided to clean our glass hob splashback.

As it was a pleasant day I left it outside to dry off whilst I gave the wall a final coat of paint, then I was going to re fit it.

Took the dog out for a walk, can you guess what happened?

So now we need a new one 🤣

18,012 · February 25

1 hour ago, iainrcz said:

Decided to clean our glass hob splashback.

As it was a pleasant day I left it outside to dry off whilst I gave the wall a final coat of paint, then I was going to re fit it.

Took the dog out for a walk, can you guess what happened?

So now we need a new one 🤣

A new dog? Poor Jarvis. I know he’s a dickhead but the brown bin is a bit of a superfluous indignity.

4,530 · February 25

Just now, GrumpiusMaximus said:

A new dog?

We lost the receipt unfortunately.

Anyway, I've got it on Facebook at the moment - Tempered glass splashback for sale, some assembly required.

13,257 · February 25

I'll just clean up the gunk inside these 52 year old fog lights. Wcpgw

Fucksticks

4,530 · February 25

21 minutes ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

A new dog? Poor Jarvis. I know he’s a dickhead but the brown bin is a bit of a superfluous indignity.

Dickhead is too polite a phrase.

20,856 · February 25

37 minutes ago, Andyrew said:

I'll just clean up the gunk inside these 52 year old fog lights. Wcpgw

Fucksticks

Been there, done that...

Admittedly only 40 years old, but still £200 odd a set!

33,347 · February 26

Since it was announced that I'm being made redundant a month ago, I've applied for 25 jobs. About half of these I don't hear anything, I did get one interview but never heard anything back and the rest have been straight declines. I've spent a great deal of time on these applications as well, I wouldn't be so bothered if I'd just been firing my CV out.

I'm now starting to panic a bit that I'm going to have to give up my home and sell most of our stuff (as you need a home to keep it in!). 26 years I've been working in financial services and it's taken a lot of work and earning qualifications to get where I am. I could not face having to throw all that away.

All coinciding with almost a year since my dad passed away.

Smashing.

5,960 · February 26

19 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Since it was announced that I'm being made redundant a month ago, I've applied for 25 jobs. About half of these I don't hear anything, I did get one interview but never heard anything back and the rest have been straight declines. I've spent a great deal of time on these applications as well, I wouldn't be so bothered if I'd just been firing my CV out.

I'm now starting to panic a bit that I'm going to have to give up my home and sell most of our stuff (as you need a home to keep it in!). 26 years I've been working in financial services and it's taken a lot of work and earning qualifications to get where I am. I could not face having to throw all that away.

All coinciding with almost a year since my dad passed away.

Smashing.

Aren't you getting a decent payoff?

A month is no time at all in my experience, I was made redundant 3 times.

Sit down and look at your outgoings and see what can be cut back or cancelled, look at what you can claim from the government and review your fleet of cars.

If you might need to remortgage do it now, if there's time.

It's a long time since it happened to me so I've no doubt forgotten some things.

The key thing I remember was not to panic as my missus and kids would do the same and that's the last thing you need in my opinion. It'll work out so why have them worried?

10,717 · February 26

44 minutes ago, chadders said:

Sit down and look at your outgoings and see what can be cut back or cancelled, look at what you can claim from the government and review your fleet of cars.

This is the best advice as you then know what is needed and what is wanted.

I've been made redundant a couple of times, first time was after my apprenticeship because the whole market changed, the second time was because the accountant was at it and got found out.

Both times it wasn't the end of the world and just took some time and luck to get where I needed to be.

8,784 · February 26

On 26/02/2025 at 07:05, Split_Pin said:

Since it was announced that I'm being made redundant a month ago, I've applied for 25 jobs. About half of these I don't hear anything, I did get one interview but never heard anything back and the rest have been straight declines. I've spent a great deal of time on these applications as well, I wouldn't be so bothered if I'd just been firing my CV out.

I'm now starting to panic a bit that I'm going to have to give up my home and sell most of our stuff (as you need a home to keep it in!). 26 years I've been working in financial services and it's taken a lot of work and earning qualifications to get where I am. I could not face having to throw all that away.

All coinciding with almost a year since my dad passed away.

Smashing.

I've been made redundant six times, so I'm glad to now be retired, but number of things I might add to Chadders good advice ..

a). look within the company you're presently with, to see if there's any possibility of transferring to another department. That may not sound an attractive proposition after you've worked to get to where you are, but if nothing else it may buy you more time to find another job, in the financial sector, sometime later in the year. The advantages are that ; you have contacts within your own company ..and hopefully a respectable reputation, so may be able to talk to your company directors personally. Any employer would prefer to re-locate / re-train a proven loyal-to-the-company employee than a stranger.

b). Use your network of contacts within other companies to see what opportunities may not otherwise be known about. And ask your own company's Directors to use their network of contacts to find you a new position. You may not know, if they too may be facing redundancy. If they are looking for a new job too, then they may be glad to take an ally with them.

c). when the cloud of redundancy looms, &/or the market is in downturn .. you look for a job below your present pay scale and experience. Only when you're in a strong position &/or the market is in upturn do you look for a step up in pay-grade / promotion / growing company.

d). small businesses and self employed tradesmen constantly struggle with accounts and financial services. Consider what you have to offer them if you were to go freelance / self-employed yourself / start up your own company. It may mean a change in direction from financial services to accounts, but consider the prospect of becoming financial director to half a dozen small businesses, which with good financial advice and book keeping - one or two may grow into something bigger. Talk to the Chamber-of-Commerce / and any Business Start-up Initiatives to see if what they can do to put you in touch.

Regarding Chadder's advice, 'not to panic the missus and kids' .. I'd disagree. Rather I'd recommend you sit down and talk to them as adults (whatever their age) and calmly explain that any and all non-essential spending has to be curbed immediately, and any hope of a big holiday is likely be cancelled. Forget the alpha-male bullshit. It's honestly better not to wait until the shit really hits the fan ..when you then become at fault - the cause of misery ! Instead - Talk to them rationally. Ask what they would do ..and listen to them. Trust in their love and involve them. Avoid the 'shame' and treat it as a life lesson, where family pulls together and becomes closer for having been through it together.

Do not delay.. make the first sacrifices yourself, sell cars and other stuff that you would have liked to keep - had times been better. If you do have to relocate then storage would be a hassle and cost anyway. Again put aside the 'shame' and get to the Benefits Office with a financial projection of where you will be, if you don't get a job soon. Better that you have that conversation in advance, especially if your family home is at risk.

Wishing you a calm head and good luck. It's a testing time but others have said - we do come through it.

Pete

33,347 · February 26

Thanks folks, much appreciated.

2,528 · February 26

Not redundancy, but I had to stop working when swombo became ill and unable to cope without a carer-me obviously.

Ive also got disabled children, so care became more important.

I'd agree totally with the 'dont be ashamed ' line, things happen, you just have to make the best you can of it.

Dealing with DWP is a bit problematic, but financially we are now pretty stable, certainly better than some who are working for minimum wage .

Good luck to you, I hope it works out 🙏

23,191 · February 26

Not really an important issue in the grand scheme of things. Why did they bury the pollen/cabin filters into a inaccessible part of the car ?

To make it worse the YT videos make it look oh so easy, when it is not.

18,012 · February 26

4 hours ago, Remspoor said:

Not really an important issue in the grand scheme of things. Why did they bury the pollen/cabin filters into a inaccessible part of the car ?

To make it worse the YT videos make it look oh so easy, when it is not.

MK2 Focus. Never again.

15,440 · February 26

4 hours ago, Remspoor said:

Not really an important issue in the grand scheme of things but why do we need cabin filters?

EFA

12,796 · February 26

1 minute ago, High Jetter said:

EFA

This is true. It's so difficult to get at the filter in the Megane 3s you'll probably find most cars don't have one- it doesn't seem to make much difference.

2,554 · February 26

On a lighter note, I have just managed to snap my brand new 1" drive breaker bar whilst trying to undo a Freelander hubnut........

The daft part is that I bought this as my old 1/2" started to bend and threatened to fail.....

I am underwhelmed!

23,191 · February 26

1 hour ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

MK2 Focus. Never again.

I just purchased a late 2014, 3008 and it looks as if they have never been changed in all of those years. I just was not wanting to pay for a garage to do it because it should be easy.

Will I do it again? I doubt it.

15,440 · February 27

2 hours ago, artdjones said:

This is true. It's so difficult to get at the filter in the Megane 3s you'll probably find most cars don't have one- it doesn't seem to make much difference.

Y tho? Has air got that bad since the 90s? 😀

14,721 · February 27

2 hours ago, High Jetter said:

Y tho? Has air got that bad since the 90s? 😀

Far more people suffering from hay fever , probably because we all spend too much time indoors on t’internet.

23,191 · February 27

In the past there was a metal grill of fine mesh that stopped the likes of leaves building up in the air intake. I suppose these disposable ones have taken that job over. Plus we are being sold they are better for your health.

If you have very bad health issues, that these are said to help with I would seriously not want to walk around any town or city.

2,937 · February 27

Allergy sufferer here - carbon pollen filters are a godsend. I change those every time I change the oil in my cars.

19,648 · February 27

'know howta read.......you ignorant fuck.........'

11,650 · February 27

14 hours ago, artdjones said:

This is true. It's so difficult to get at the filter in the Megane 3s you'll probably find most cars don't have one- it doesn't seem to make much difference.

It is my understanding that it is primarily to keep the aircon matrix clean.

9,630 · February 27

Why are they all so fucking difficult to access and replace though? At best in any car I've ever done one on you're removing gloveboxes and crawling around upside down in the footwell, or pulling bits of the plastic scuttle panel where the windscreen wipers live with all the little plastic clips that break off, or in the case of the K11 Micra, actually breaking bits of the dashboard to get at the thing?
I get it's part of the HVAC system buried deep in that no man's land part of the car between the back of the engine and the dashboard but surely there's an easier way?

9,940 · February 27

On 25/02/2025 at 12:20, bramz7 said:

As a follow up to this, still heard nothing. So I emailed my letting agent to see what was going on, turns out they hadn't been told either.

Supposedly 'parts are on order' and I'll be contacted by the engineer in kind. I don't want to kick up any fuss, but tbh it's a pretty poor show all round so far. I wish I wasn't feeling too lazy to move house.

Another follow up, the gas engineer/plumber came back today with parts to try and fix the boiler. He was convinced it wouldn't work, and it didn't. So now a week without hot water.

I can deal with no heating, I have loads of clothes and blankets (and a lap warning cat) but the lack of hot water and properly functioning shower is really bothersome.

2,528 · February 27

Cynical me would say so you take one look, go 'fuck that!' and go to the dealership.......🤔

25,016 · February 27

Last night I went to put the mini on charge because I needed to do a big run in it today, and I noticed the front drivers tyre was flat, 5 or 6 PSI in it according to the dash.

Told my wife. "FFS, the Mini has a flat tyre, I'll have to go in the van instead tomorrow. I'll sort it this weekend"

I got back from work today at 6:45PM. Mini was gone off the drive... She's driven it 16 mile round trip to meet her mates. Presumably she prefers driving my* Mini to her own car that was parked next to it, on account the fact that her car hasn't been washed inside or out for about 4 years and is quite a horrific place to be

"I forgot you said it had a flat tyre", and presumably somehow completely ignored all the beeps and messages popping up on the dash. Thanks love! I hated having a matching set of near new OE Pirellis and undented wheels anyway 🥺

14,721 · February 28

4 hours ago, cobblers said:

Last night I went to put the mini on charge because I needed to do a big run in it today, and I noticed the front drivers tyre was flat, 5 or 6 PSI in it according to the dash.

Told my wife. "FFS, the Mini has a flat tyre, I'll have to go in the van instead tomorrow. I'll sort it this weekend"

I got back from work today at 6:45PM. Mini was gone off the drive... She's driven it 16 mile round trip to meet her mates. Presumably she prefers driving my* Mini to her own car that was parked next to it, on account the fact that her car hasn't been washed inside or out for about 4 years and is quite a horrific place to be

"I forgot you said it had a flat tyre", and presumably somehow completely ignored all the beeps and messages popping up on the dash. Thanks love! I hated having a matching set of near new OE Pirellis and undented wheels anyway 🥺

Doesn’t it have run flats? You can do 40 miles supposedly.

7,779 · February 28

15 hours ago, Spiny Norman said:

Why are they all so fucking difficult to access and replace though? At best in any car I've ever done one on you're removing gloveboxes and crawling around upside down in the footwell, or pulling bits of the plastic scuttle panel where the windscreen wipers live with all the little plastic clips that break off, or in the case of the K11 Micra, actually breaking bits of the dashboard to get at the thing?
I get it's part of the HVAC system buried deep in that no man's land part of the car between the back of the engine and the dashboard but surely there's an easier way?

I've found that on some models, the filter is very easy to change on left hand drive versions but very difficult on right hand drive. So there can be compromises for accommodating both drive sides.

I think some designs could certainly be made better for maintenance

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