NO MORE FREE ADVICE FOR DIYers....

[Phreddy]

In case folks don't know, I'm still struggling my backside off to keep my bills paid - and lately I get call after call asking "what LEDs do I need" - "How do I do such-and-such..." - "What wire do I hook this gadget up to..."

When I needed to figure out the things I have done, I fell back on the years of experience and skills I have built on. I put a LOT of time into research and development, but it seems that there's a lot of guys out there who simply want to absorb free info. This is now how I make a living, and I'm going backwards at the moment - I'm a LONG way from being out of the woods with my mortgage - still on a knife-edge of the bank coming along and throwing me out of my home.

No more calls looking for free advice - here's your fair warning, then next calls I get along these lines I'll just have to be rude. I like to help people, but I'm at the point where I have to look after myself. I'm not standing in a Centrelink queue waiting for handouts, I'm doing my best to create my own job after being retrenched 3 times from IT work, and too old to try looking for work in that game now. I'm not trying to bludge on anyone, I keep my prces realistic, and I am OVER being taken advantage of.

If you need to research stuff, go out and spend thousands on the tools and equipment you'll need, complete an electronics technician's training course, and work it out the same way I did.

If I seem angry, that's probably because I am. I'm on the verge of losing everything, because I try to be a "good bloke" - trouble is, good blokes are often the ones who go down first. I'm determined I'll not be the next one. I'll go and get a job shoveling horse crap out of a stable if I have to, but I won't continue on this road to oblivion.

Apologies if anyone takes offence, but as I said it's time to look after ME.

[Jesterarts]

Mate, I completely agree with what you've said and you have my support 100%.

At the end of the day "being a nice bloke" is not something you can take to the bank so you have to look out for yourself.

Feel free to PM me if you have anyone specific causing you issues.

Cheers and good luck!

I've locked the thread as I don't think there is a need for anyone to add anything more than what you've already outlined.