Today I'm happy about......

[Worthy4England]

Last year, I left my Tax Return until the last minute (Jan this year) to fill in before finding I had nearly a grand underpaid. I was really miffed.

Not to get caught out this time, I filled it in today after getting my P60, so they could look to recover any shortfall through my tax code, only to find that they owe me two grand!

I shall levy £100 fine for every day outside of now+30 that they're late in paying me back.

[bobo the clown]

Good luck with that one.

Last year was my first year self-employed & earning. The only thing I can say to a newbie is this

[bobo the clown]

Good luck with that one.

Last year was my first year self-employed & earning. The only thing I can say to a newbie is this World is "get a good accountant". I was amazed at what my set-up and 'necessary ongoing costs" added up to.

A most satisfactory outcome indeed.

... & again this year. VAT man wasn't too happy at my slow inputs but nonetheless ...

[Bruce Rioja]

Smoking (at least rolling) is a bit of a ritual that you get used to. Rolling tin, tobacco and lighter are companions- sounds daft but it's true

Doesn't sound daft at all, Jim. It's the habitual part that outlasts the craving for nicotine. Whenever I used to get into the car I'd be starting the engine with one hand and depressing the cigarette lighter with the other. You'll need to replace the rolling ritual with something else to do with your hands (my dry cleaning bill on fidgeted-with ties increased sharply, but I fidget with my tie anyway) so keep your Rosary Beads with you. The main thing is though, Tango, you have to let the moment pass. At first, the 'moments' come thick and fast, but they do lessen. Now, I know that we're roughly a generation apart in age terms, but, and I rarely admit this, I started smoking aged 12. I gave up on my 38th Birthday, so smoking was every bit as an integral part of my life as it is yours. Just wait to see how good your food tastes . Now, I know that there's no prude like a reformed whore, but if there's anything I can do by way of moral support, or if you need a chat, then you know where I am. Go for it, mate.

[TANGODANCER]

Smoking (at least rolling) is a bit of a ritual that you get used to. Rolling tin, tobacco and lighter are companions- sounds daft but it's true

Doesn't sound daft at all, Jim. It's the habitual part that outlasts the craving for nicotine. Whenever I used to get into the car I'd be starting the engine with one hand and depressing the cigarette lighter with the other. You'll need to replace the rolling ritual with something else to do with your hands (my dry cleaning bill on fidgeted-with ties increased sharply, but I fidget with my tie anyway) so keep your Rosary Beads with you. The main thing is though, Tango, you have to let the moment pass. At first, the 'moments' come thick and fast, but they do lessen. Now, I know that we're roughly a generation apart in age terms, but, and I rarely admit this, I started smoking aged 12. I gave up on my 38th Birthday, so smoking was every bit as an integral part of my life as it is yours. Just wait to see how good your food tastes . Now, I know that there's no prude like a reformed whore, but if there's anything I can do by way of moral support, or if you need a chat, then you know where I am. Go for it, mate.

Obliged and much appreciated Bruce. The intent is there and I'll be trying hard...gulp...

[Wandering Willy]

1: Watch resized and now on my wrist.

2: Nice dinner at Frankie and Bennys at Middlebrook...although 2 afternoon pints lead to the childish game of "who can shout willy the loudest" in Asda.....I won.

You daft get - I was in Tesco's.

[Annoyed Grunt]

1: Watch resized and now on my wrist.

2: Nice dinner at Frankie and Bennys at Middlebrook...although 2 afternoon pints lead to the childish game of "who can shout willy the loudest" in Asda.....I won.

You daft get - I was in Tesco's.

[Wandering Willy]

Tried to post this on the "neither angry not happy" thread three times and it got knocked back each time. So :

Not sure it's really happy stuff, but come Monday I start on the electronic cig I just bought. Me and the wife are both giving it a serious go. Smoked all my life and confess it's one of my few pleasures, but the cost of smoking is really ridiculous now, so I'm going to try. If I then find I want to stop altogether, I will. Can't start till the weekends over because I'll be chewing them about the match result one way or the other, but come Monday..... Wish me luck...

Good luck with this TD. I quit 6 months ago and honestly I don't even think about it at all now. I loved smoking too.

Not sure what advice to give - I think it's mainly a mental thing. Don't think too much about it and just stop.

Hope you are as lucky as I am and can stop without too much anguish.

[Dujon]

Yes, TANGO, it's the equivalent of burning money in the fireplace. I feel your pain, as does my own wallet. I changed to rolling 'baccy and a machine about twelve months ago. It's saved me quite a bit of dosh and it's also reduced my daily intake of the foul stuff from an average of 45 to 50 down to around or a bit less than 20. I think the reason for that is that it takes time to construct a cigarette rather than just popping out a tailor made from a packet (and then wondering how it came to be in one's hand.)

I haven't seen one of these electronic gizmos, although advertisements for them have crossed my path, and would be interested in how you two find them. If you are prepared to give the odd update on your progress I would be interested.

[TANGODANCER]

I haven't seen one of these electronic gizmos, although advertisements for them have crossed my path, and would be interested in how you two find them. If you are prepared to give the odd update on your progress I would be interested.

Well, me and the wife have concocted a plan. We both still have some tobacco left and tomorrow (my daughter's bringing the second elec cig shes' picking up for us) we'll start together. We know we can't just stop on cue, so we'll just use the tobacco only if and when it gets really necessary. It won't be easy and we won't be monitoring each other critically, but we will support each other and see how it goes. A good mate (sadly passed on now) packed up after a lifetime of smoking, but always kept a pack of cigarettes in a drawer. He never touched them but claimed it helped just knowing they were there.

All sounds very dramatic, I know, but I've been smoking for over fifty years and I'll have to be determined. Cutting right down is stage one. Won't bore everybody with the details but I will post progress. Right now, in a pre-match stage-one, I'm glaring at an ashtray in a mental mortal combat...

[clapton is god]

Good luck with it all Tango. I tried and failed many times but eventually cracked in back in 1991 and haven't had one since. Just went cold turkey in the end. I also went to the bank and took out a loan with repayments in the same amount I was spending on cig's. That seemed to work as I couldn't afford both. Keep us posted.

[TANGODANCER]

Good luck with it all Tango. I tried and failed many times but eventually cracked in back in 1991 and haven't had one since. Just went cold turkey in the end. I also went to the bank and took out a loan with repayments in the same amount I was spending on cig's. That seemed to work as I couldn't afford both. Keep us posted.

You do realise that this afternoon doesn't count? It's either smoke or chew my keyboard, and with my teeth...

[clapton is god]

Goes without saying!

[Sponge]

Good luck with it all Tango. I tried and failed many times but eventually cracked in back in 1991 and haven't had one since. Just went cold turkey in the end. I also went to the bank and took out a loan with repayments in the same amount I was spending on cig's. That seemed to work as I couldn't afford both. Keep us posted.

You do realise that this afternoon doesn't count? It's either smoke or chew my keyboard, and with my teeth...

Good luck, TD.

I'm also going to quit smoking as of tomorrow, after today's game. I've only really been at it (buying my own fags rather than poncing the odd one or two from friends when out) for six months, though, so not comparable to your scenario.

Not really sure how it started to be honest (though probably aided by the fact that you can still smoke in my three favourite pubs in Amsterdam), and I want to nip it in the bud before I'm too far in.

[Wandering Willy]

Not really sure how it started to be honest (though probably aided by the fact that you can still smoke in my three favourite pubs in Amsterdam), and I want to nip it in the bud before I'm too far in.

[Montreal Wanderer]

I smoked for forty years, Tango. I quit for significant periods a couple of times most recently about five or six years ago. I still chew nicotine gum (which gave me a jaw like Desperate Dan from all the exercise). About three or four times a year I might have a cigarette - usually to keep some lonely leper company who has to go outside alone (indoor smoking is illegal here in any public place). This has never got me wanting to start heavu smoking again, but is a great rush. So I guess I can't claim to have given up smoking - I just smoke very infrequently. You and the wife will have to watch your weight though - it goes on easy but comes off hard.

[Prufrock]

Td, it is all your fault. You quit, and look what happens.

Given what is done is done, I wish you luck.

One day I'll jack 'em. Not ready just yet though, enjoy it too much.

[William the White]

This year is eleven years since i gave up a long, long addiction, that had me on 40 a day at its worst...

Giving up was really easy...

The last time...

I'd 'tried' to give up many times previously - but the last time, in 2001, I really wanted to... For the first time...

No one ever gives up unwillingly. Or resentfully. nicotine is a powerful addiction, some say as great as heroin.

But when, inside you, you actually really want to, it's a cakewalk. About three or four days of predictable irritation and craving, then diminishing from then on... and even those three or four days feel triumphant when you get to the end of them and haven't smoked...

Honestly, it isn't hard to give up... you just really need to want it, and it's yours with less than a week's hard effort...

Good luck, Tango... If you want it, you'll do it... Easily...

[Prufrock]

I enjoy a smooke. But can someone explain to me how you do 40 a day :O! Thats one every half hour if you only slept 4 hours!

I do about 10 tops, and couldn't do more if I wanted, which I do not!

[William the White]

I enjoy a smooke. But can someone explain to me how you do 40 a day :O! Thats one every half hour if you only slept 4 hours!

I do about 10 tops, and couldn't do more if I wanted, which I do not!

The answer is only mathematical - and you are a quarter of the way there with your ten...

And also place yourself in a time when smoking was allowed everywhere and non-smokers were pariahs... I went for jobs where at the interview an ashtray was placed before me... and before everyone interviewing me... at university seminars we all lit up before getting down to business (when I was a student then a lecturer... some had pipes)... Was easy to get 40 inside you...

Stupid, but easy. Incidentally, just as possible to be addicted seriously to ten as forty...