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

Orange_Ena

I agree with everyone else, be kinder to yourself ABA. Have a lovely weekend

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks folks I know it could have been worse, but it means I've spent £55 (minus petrol, cards and books but plus the £20 I automatically pay to my mum for extras when we go shopping) on mostly coke and junk food. Not great considering I get £102 a week ESA, over £300 of which is already spoken for (loan, rent, sponsor kid and phone) without considering the cost of my dog... I suppose it's a reminder to get my spending under control before I impulse buy something expensive. It's so stupid and I have virtually nothing to show for the expense!

AspiringButAnxious

Been lethargic over the last couple of days, so haven't done much at all. Exchanged a 5 Euro note for 3.27 this morning, so I could add £3.50 to my savings pot (with odd change in my purse). Things are moving super-slowly atm.

Bobarella

Well that was good. Might as well use it. I never understand keeping money around as it doesn't grow interest that way. May as well take it off the total for something like shopping.

catriona79

Hey ABA.

Just popped in to see how you were doing. I'm going to add to the voices telling you not to be too hard on yourself about the overspend. Hope you have worked through that now.
I understand where it comes from, we set ourselves a budget and mostly it is a very strict one and then end up feeling guilty for not being able to live to that perfect standard. But we are only human. You didn't blow it on a night out and new clothes and make up. You just got things that you need, like birthday cards, and that you probably needed to stick in your budget as a perfectly legitimate expense. Which it was.

Hope you're feeling better. X

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks folks

I've been lethargic and unmotivated all weekend. The season doesn't help — I don't like the dark and cold. My left ear hurts too, so maybe I'm physically ill rather than just more depressed than usual. The good news is that I've been doing more SBing and actually completed a survey on there this morning, for the first time in ages! Modest amounts so far, but it all adds up and hopefully my next £5 voucher isn't too far off.

What I would like to achieve today:
• Post on blog
• Submit at least 1 proposal on Upwork
• Work on brochure project
• Do some freewriting for a themed submission coming up — I hope to enter a story, but have under 3 weeks, so not sure I'll make it
• Plan my priorities for the next few weeks

AspiringButAnxious

I actually did most of what I intended to do yesterday — didn't get around to working on the brochure, but submitted 3 proposals on Upwork and came up with a story idea. My goals for today are simply to work on the brochure and the story.

Been feeling a bit stuck recently. I think because I haven't been able to add to my savings accounts and probably won't be able to until the end of November, at the earliest. Haven't managed to redeem any Amazon vouchers either, though I've picked up my SBing over the past week and am 100 SBs off getting a £5 voucher, which should motivate me.

I'm also worried about my ability to earn a living from freelancing. I know I'm not being as proactive as I could be, but I don't know many people (especially not those who might require my services) and I'm awful at networking and marketing. I've gotten zero interest from potential clients on Upwork and just feel a bit of a failure.

AspiringButAnxious

Ordered my £5 Amazon voucher and got 150SB back! Cheered me up a little, because today has been a bit blah and I've done b****r all so far.

misstara

Sorry to hear you're feeling a bit down today but getting the voucher is great. You'll doing really well with them. I need to get back into doing surveys because the amounts soon add up.

crazy_cat_lady

Chin up dearie - try not to take it too personally. It's hard to put yourself out there and get rejected, but you just need the right person to see what you're offering Don't be hard on yourself (I simply won't allow it) - you're up, about and getting stuff done.