Help needed

LannieDuck

Could you move off contract and onto PAYG with your phone for a while?

If you have enough clothes, cut out the clothing budget and just wear what you have until you really need something.

Depending on how seriously you want to get rid of the debt, you could cut down your entertainment budget. Not suggesting you reduce it to 0 since your SOA isn't that bad, but perhaps try and halve it?

I'm dubious about the value of an emergency fund when you have debts that you're paying interest on. How much do you have built up already? If you have a couple of hundred, perhaps stop this for a while and concentrate on reducing the debts that aren't on 0%?

Are the books for teaching, or for leisure? If the latter, use the library for a couple of months.

It would be possible to cut back further, but you need to find a balance that's sustainable (esp with depression), and even if you make no changes at all, you still have enough to pay back £350+ per month. That's great

wegle

Hey BNS!!

With regards to the things like car maintenance, medical and presents I personally think it is advisable to take this money each month and put it somewhere safe. I do it through online banking and move the money into different accounts. So I have an account for car costs, holiday, emergency fund and christmas/birthdays. Each month I put what I have budgeted into each account and then the money is there ready for MOT, christmas etc. You can do this with jam jars or envelopes instead if you are having difficulty getting new bank accounts. Just draw the cash out of the machine when you get paid each month and put it in it's seperate jam jar.

BrandNewStart

Hi guys

Just checking into. Say hi really. Had a bit of a hard weekend depressin wise. Not feeling v strong for looking at money right now. Hope y'all are good

wegle

Sorry to hear you had a rough weekend. Just remember today is a new day full of potential and opportunities.

Keep us updated on the money plans.

BrandNewStart

Thanks I will do. I realise that looking at it once or twice won't cut it! I need to keep looking, and working out where I can save. It is all for very good reasons and I need to take control

BrandNewStart

I am having a bad day today. I just want to hide under the duvet. I have spent and over eaten AGAIN. i don't feel in control and having lots of thoughts about dropping out of life. Lots or unhelpful thoughts, just makes me want to turn my head off.

Sorry for the neg post. Don't feel able to share it elsewhere.

wegle

Are you receiving any support from your GP for your depression? Do you have a MIND centre near by? MIND are amazing and are so supportive and helpful.

So you over spent today. Ok, it's done. There's nothing you can do to change that now so draw a line under it and forget about it. Worrying over it or beating yourself up will not change it so there's no point in that behaviour. What you can do is make a plan for tomorrow. What will you need to spend? How much will you budget for it? How will you protect yourself from overspending.

If you take things one day at a time with achievable, manageable goals you will be setting yourself up for success. No problem was ever solved in one day. Problems are solved in the cumulative of many good days and a few bad days as well.

So homework tonight or first thing tomorrow is to do that day's plan and stick to that. You can do it!

Sazzie23

BrandNewStart wrote: »

I am having a bad day today. I just want to hide under the duvet. I have spent and over eaten AGAIN. i don't feel in control and having lots of thoughts about dropping out of life. Lots or unhelpful thoughts, just makes me want to turn my head off.

Sorry for the neg post. Don't feel able to share it elsewhere.

Hi BNS, Better to share it here than hide it

You have made a great start with SOA and starting an emergency fund etc. When things go wrong in life, we often find they snowball, money, drink, food, smoking, relationships etc can all get out of control. Making a successful start with one thing is the first part of getting control back, so you are starting to turn that tide around. Maybe getting help from the GP etc will be your next step?

Come back here to share the good times and the less happy ones too

Tahlullah

Hello BNS, sorry that you are feeling so low. Sometimes, we can find ourselves in really dark places with no light to guide us. But, you do have a light. More than one in fact.

You can count them.

1. You have found a supportive community who will not judge you.
2. You have GP who understands that you need help and is willing to give it.
3. You are buying an engagement ring. Is it for someone? Or is it a sensitive issue?
4. You have disposable income at the end of the month with which to tackle your debts.

Try to look on the bright side. You are not alone and you have made a decision to deal with your debts. All good stuff!

Sending positive thoughts to you.

Tx

When_the_going_gets_tough

Hi BNS it may not be your thing but you might like to contact Christians Against Poverty. They help with debt management, are non judgemental, you don't need to be religious and they can offer you some face to face support which might just be what you need right now. Personal one to one help is what we all need sometimes - and as a teacher you will know how good it is when a student asks you for help and acts on it. There is definitely a way through this so please don't despair, and seek for the right help for you.