Depressed and on the Dole

FOXGLOVE_2

Bookworm_Del wrote: »

It's sad but money really does control everything! I am not going to give up though :j

I've learned that money doesn't make you happy - but it can provide options that make you happier. Once we get debt free, we will have more control over how we source that happiness.

Right now, you're doing all you can to get to that place!

patman99

Bookworm, if you have somewhere to store them, how about collecting aluminium cans ?. If you crush them up, you can get 15-20 Kg in a rubbish sack. With aluminium @ 60p/Kilo that could equate to between £6-£12 a bag.
Alternately, if you have a Tesco near to you with a cans-for-points machine, then collecting un-crushed cans and dropping them in the machine will get you 1 green clubcard point per card. This could then be used to pay for your shopping (reminds me, I need to weigh-up and cash-in a load of ali cans).

Bookworm_Del

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Bookworm_Del

Have done a bit of house-work today, got washing out on the line while it is dry. I have to keep checking to see if it has started raining though as the clouds look very threatening at the minute!




Not really much else to report. I am really looking forward to a nice night with some very lovely kind people though so will enjoy that no doubt and hopefully will have a productive weekend too!

patman99

Bookworm I had no idea you could buy bus tickets in advance like that. Here in Essex we can buy a family rover in advance but that is not a 'scratch and use' type card.

Sanchsoot49

Hi Bookworm

Just read your diary so far and wanted to wish you luck with it all I am sure things will get better soon for you. Just remember everything goes in cycles, a not so good cycle then a better one etc. At least the days are getting a touch longer now, that always cheers me up :-)

Will keep reading!

Bookworm_Del

patman99 wrote: »

Bookworm I had no idea you could buy bus tickets in advance like that. Here in Essex we can buy a family rover in advance but that is not a 'scratch and use' type card.

Yes, they are handy as even going one stop is £2.00 or £2.10 here now. So it does work out good as you can use the ticket most of the day as many times as you like. I have posted it off today to see if they will be kind and replace it for me!

Sanchsoot49 wrote: »

Hi Bookworm

Just read your diary so far and wanted to wish you luck with it all I am sure things will get better soon for you. Just remember everything goes in cycles, a not so good cycle then a better one etc. At least the days are getting a touch longer now, that always cheers me up :-)

Will keep reading!

Thanks so much Sanchsoot I really appreciate that. I am feeling much better since I began this diary. Peaks and troughs really but hey is that not life?! I have found just writing on here and getting advice and support from people has helped a lot. I think I am due a good cycle soon Thank you xx

Bookworm_Del

So, having a much more positive start to the week.



Walked to the shops yesterday for some food shopping and saw my sister, BIL and niece so walked and chatted to them which was nice.

So today, I got up and went for a 15 minute power-walk, found 5p roadkill on my travels :rotfl: and posted my bus ticket back to the company to see if they would refund or replace it for me. Worth a try! Had a healthy breakfast, restarted using MyFitnessPal app after weighing myself. Done a 30 minute dance workout and listened to music all day so feeling in a really happy place! Trying to be a bit more active now even if its just a 10 minute walk.

Have applied for three jobs so far today

Horace

I feel your pain, am in a similar situation myself although I no longer have to pay rent as I have a private arrangement with my parents.

I am at college which is cool as it gets me out of the house and gets me upskilling and gaining new certificates, I also get interview training - this is thanks to the jobcentre. Alas I was due to have an interview on 6 Jan but couldn't go due to illness - I even tried to put it off until the 8 Jan but still wasn't well:mad:

I had depression for a while and saw my GP who provided some tablets - I no longer take them as I have recovered from my depression. To get me out of the house, I do some volunteering which serves two purposes - getting me to talk to different people otherwise I would be stuck in the house and it gives me some work experience which looks good on my CV. I am always applying for jobs only these days I tend to be a bit more selective which seems to be working as I am now getting interviews.

Certainly ask the jobcentre about travel expenses - some will provide weekly bus passes. I would definitely have a water meter - there was one already in this house and although admittedly there is only me living here - my water bill has reduced drastically and I now pay £8 a month. I do have my central heating on too so I can keep warm (necessary as I am recovering from a chest infection) - I fixed my price for dual fuel until July this year so that is one expense I don't have to worry about.

Do you get housing benefit? If you are on the dole you might be entitled to some which will help towards the rent.

If you have a garden, start thinking about growing your own veg - you can often buy seeds quite cheaply from Aldi (in Spring) and the pound shops sell seeds.

Good luck.

Bookworm_Del

Horace wrote: »

I feel your pain, am in a similar situation myself although I no longer have to pay rent as I have a private arrangement with my parents.

I am at college which is cool as it gets me out of the house and gets me upskilling and gaining new certificates, I also get interview training - this is thanks to the jobcentre. Alas I was due to have an interview on 6 Jan but couldn't go due to illness - I even tried to put it off until the 8 Jan but still wasn't well:mad:

I had depression for a while and saw my GP who provided some tablets - I no longer take them as I have recovered from my depression. To get me out of the house, I do some volunteering which serves two purposes - getting me to talk to different people otherwise I would be stuck in the house and it gives me some work experience which looks good on my CV. I am always applying for jobs only these days I tend to be a bit more selective which seems to be working as I am now getting interviews.

Certainly ask the jobcentre about travel expenses - some will provide weekly bus passes. I would definitely have a water meter - there was one already in this house and although admittedly there is only me living here - my water bill has reduced drastically and I now pay £8 a month. I do have my central heating on too so I can keep warm (necessary as I am recovering from a chest infection) - I fixed my price for dual fuel until July this year so that is one expense I don't have to worry about.

Do you get housing benefit? If you are on the dole you might be entitled to some which will help towards the rent.

If you have a garden, start thinking about growing your own veg - you can often buy seeds quite cheaply from Aldi (in Spring) and the pound shops sell seeds.

Good luck.

Hi Horace

Thanks for your message. Sorry to hear about your interview but well done on going to college and upskilling in the meantime. I hope you find something soon which you enjoy.

I also suffer with depression and typically it comes in bouts. I can be fine for ages and then from nowhere I am knocked back by it. I find that just trying my best to focus on the little things/ the small achievements during those down periods really helps.
Thanks for your best wishes. And good luck to you in your search for a job