Battling Debt and Mental Illness — and (hopefully) Winning!

AspiringButAnxious

I bought it and sorted out a load of stuff on my computer — deleting files I don't need and uninstalling programmes I don't use. Had a bit of a play and I'm quite impressed with the software. I'm used to Word, so everything is pretty straightforward... So far!

Hopefully it will help me achieve my long-term money and career goals, even if my short-term finances have taken a hit

Bobarella

Hi ABA
I would have agreed to for you to go for it, had I read your updates sooner.
It is difficult trying to weight up when to use credit and not but in this case I'd have wacked it on the plastic.

I often end up having to buy things for the business or more likely pay for repairs, to things like fridges, coffee machines, bla bla etc! But if you don't then the overall business suffers so you have to take the hit and move on swiftly.

Anyway I digress, im sure you'll make the money back in no time.

Bob

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks Bob It absolutely made sense when I spelt it out — I suppose that's part of taking emotions out of spending. It works both ways and I need to stop my emotions preventing me from making sensible purchases, as well as stopping emotional spending on impulse.

My Indian takeaway cost £14, which was actually less than I expected, so I have £17 left in my savings pot. I had a brilliant evening with my friend and drank lots of wine

It feels weird to think that a few weeks ago, I had over £100 in my savings pot. I have to keep reminding myself that I used it to pay my Very acc — I tend to think of it as "gone" as if I had lost it or spent it on rubbish! I'm sure it will soon build up again.

belleandthebudget

Congrats on the new writing job - that's so exciting! And I definitely would have done the same thing re: Publisher, it sounds like it'll be a really useful piece of software for you in the future.

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks belle

I have added £20 to my EF and rainy day fund, bringing them both over the £30 mark, which is slightly more respectable! I also paid £30 to my CC, so there will be £80 left to pay when I get the bill — less intimidating than £110 and I can pay the remaining amount out of my ESA around the time it's due. I can go £25 into my overdraft without paying interest or fees, so might have to do that depending on cashflow and can take the money out of my rainy day fund if needed (though I'd obviously prefer not to). I could also pay my mum the extra I have spent this month from my savings pot, which will free up more money already in my bank acc.

Anyhoo, now I have a strategy in place for repaying my CC I feel calmer and more confident. How times change! Several months ago, I would have put £110 on my CC and not worried how.to pay. I would have considered it just another drop in the ocesn.

Today, I have a few small goals:
• Post on blog (neglected all of last week...)
• Play around with Publisher/brochure pages and see what ideas I can come up with
• Do sone freewriting and remind myself how much I enjoy writing fiction
• Finish an ebook I've nearly read

Goals for this week:
• Submit a story to a literary journal (I know both which story and which journal)
• Submit at least 3 proposals on Upwork
• Finish the intro to my ebook (I'm being sooooo slow in writing this one)
• Complete at least 2 pages of brochure to show S my progress
• Post on blog on Wed and Fri
• Find/write another story to submit to another literary journal by next week's deadline
• Finish the library book I'm reading!

dimestorediamond

Hi AbA, I've been quietly reading your thread since the start, pretty much. I wanted to say that I think you are really doing well and inspiring me somewhat!

We have a lot of similarities. I live with my parents (I'm 28), I'm doing my degree in English Lit/Creative Writing and love to write. What's your blog about? I've started my own, but have yet to publish a post, I think I need to get my butt in gear!

Just wanted to let you know I was reading and that you're doing quite brilliantly!

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks, CRT My blog is on mental health and taking a positive (but realistic) attitude towards managing mental illness. It draws deeply on my own experiences.

Today has been a partial success: I posted on my blog and finished reading the ebook, but didn't get around to playing with ideas on Publisher. I just did some freewriting and seem to have found an interesting character... Could turn out to be suited to a themed submission deadline in November.

I'm hoping to put my nose to the grindstone tomorrow and make more progress!

catriona79

Hey ABA, found you!

It's only a brief post today to say congratulations on your fantastic positivity and your most recent work success. I'll be back tomorrow to write a bit more

Good luck x

AspiringButAnxious

Thank you, Catriona

Today has gotten off to a great start, despite my oversleeping because I forgot to put my alarm on! I never feel awake until about 1pm anyway, no matter what time I get up. My ValOp balance finally hit over £15.50, so I got a £15 Amazon voucher New balance: £28.24

I also got a message on Upwork from The Ex-Client, telling me it's payday and askig for an invoice. I re-sent the invoice (pointing out that they already had it) and have since had a message saying the payment has been processed. Phew! Relieved not to have more problems with The Ex-Client after my previous dealings with them.

I also submitted the story to the literary journal so today has been quite productive so far.

I've got Publisher open on my laptop and will complete at least one page of the brochure today. I also intend to submit at least one proposal on Upwork.

Apart from that, I have no solid goals but will probably read a good chunk of the library book. Might also do some more freewriting and see where the idea from yesterday leads me...

kiss_me_now9

ABA, love reading the diary. I haven't been around these parts much recently but it's great to read through and see such positive posts!

Glad your payments have processed and you've got your Amazon voucher. What are you planning to use it for? Christmas or some 'me' spending?