How do you switch off?

tigzem

Morning all,

I find myself worrying about the level of debt I have, about how long it will take to pay it off etc and I wake at night and can't back off for thinking/worrying about it.

Just wondered how you manage to switch off from it, I know there's no point worrying over it as can't change it overnight, but it's never far from my thoughts.

sammy115

Not been on this board for a while, so don't no your circumstances. What are you doing about your debts? Are you making minimum payments? Are you on a debt managment plan or can you afford to make extra payments.

Have you tried snowballing? I think the only way to stop worrying about your debts is to have a plan. A short term goal (ie to pay off one samll debt) and then a medium plan ( to have paid off so much by the end of the year) and a long term plan (to be debt free).

Knowing where you are going will help to keep the stress at bay. I actually find worrying about your debts is healthy. When I wasn't worrying about my debts I was spending whithout a care in the world!!!!!

tigzem

Hi Sammy - I am making small token payments at the moment as I'm on IS, I have a daughter, 18 months but I'm looking for a PT job and looking to increase my incomings. But it's a slow process and just want it all done now! Which I realise is pretty daft as won't be solved overnight.

Thanks for your reply

QueenB.

As i tend to over worry at the best of times i do find that my debt can really play on my mind, just a few weeks ago every other thought was about money and it made life so miserable.

The only way i reduce the worry is to face the complete truth so that it is clear and then to have a plan as the other poster said which includes both long term and short term goals.

I find i sleep easier and worry abit less if i know i am doind everything possible that day to get DF. Just having a no spend day, or making a packed lunch is a small step but it really makes you feel good.

I read somewhere recently that it takes as much energy thinking about something as it does actually doing it and i think where debt is concerned that is very true. Its hard but it really is better not to dwell but instead make a positive step each day no matter how small.

Good luck.

immoral_angeluk

I admit that i do find it hard. Currently i'm worrying about the drop in wage come may when my maternity leave ends.

Oldernotwiser

Won't your income go up when you return to work after maternity leave?

immoral_angeluk

I can't afford to go back to work, that's the trouble. Would have 2 lots of childcare to pay for and the hours they want me to do wouldn't come near to covering it even with help from tax credits!

coxj2901

Hi There,

This is a tough one because it's human nature to want to "fix" the problem right here right now.

The way I try and manage is to do the following:

- Set aside some time for yourself to either go to the pub and have a few drinks or take the kids to the park, or whatever it is that you enjoy doing. I don't believe that you can use 100% of your resources in becoming debt free and if it takes an extra month or two then I believe it is worth it to have some fun along the way

- Payday is always good because you can overpay on one of your bills but the rest of the month is hard because you are not "doing" anything to get your debt down. Therefore keep a spending diary, sell stuff on ebay, do the click throughs on pigsback, surveys, mystery shopping etc..... It makes you feel good that you are doing something about your debt.

- Look back on where you have come from and appreciate that if you hadn't changed your ways then things would have become a whole lot worse.

- Also, start making a list of all the things that you will do when you are debt free. Start some savings, holidays etc... All the things that you struggle to do when you are in debt.

- Remind yourself that you are doing this for all the right reasons and you will improve your lifestyle infinitely by the actions you take today.

Rgds, John

sammy115

Hi Tigzem

better to be slow but sure than try to rush right into things and then fail. (which I have a tendency to do). Good luck, you are in the right place. Try not to worry too much, easier said than done, but you have made the first step. One way I have of looking at my debt is thinking that this is the worst it will ever be again. It may only go down small steps at a time, but it is going down nevertheless.

Good luck at getting at part time job, but make sure you log on to https://www.entitledto.com which will give you an idea of what your income will be and what you can claim for when you do go back to work.

SAFC73_2

Sound advice from everyone.

I tended to worry about things inc. money but it always seemed to be at 2a.m when you're least likely to be able to do anything! I get anxious about my debts now and my business but I know that I will get there in the end. It's a slow process but you know that where you are now will not be where you are in say one year's time. Whether it will be better or worse, who knows. However , I've just joined and can see that there are aome pretty clued up folk on these boards.

If this all sounds a bit "Pollyanna"-ish I'll blame it on my hormones !

kevster1009

Just something for you to think on when worrying about owing these finance institutions money and you are struggling......

I just heard a young lad whom I have know since he was about 6, has been diagnosed with secondary stomach cancer aged 26. He has 2 kids aged 7 and 3, prognosis is not good for him medium term!

and we worry about owing the likes of Lloyds, MBNA, Capital One etc...a few thousand pound!

Stop worrying my Love and switch off.....there are much worse things you could be worrying about right now!

hope this puts it into perspective!

kevster

xx