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

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks Tara and CCL

Yesterday was another b****r-all day, apart from the SBing. Today's goals are the same, but with the added task of posting on my blog.

Think I'm feeling stressed/nervous about the brochure project, because I'm pretty sure the CO is back from her holiday this week and I'm desperate for her to like what I've done. S hasn't commented on the pages I sent her last week either, though they are much the same as the first couple of pages so there's not a lot to say. Hoping no news is good news!

AspiringButAnxious

Okay... So I've done nothing on the work front today. On the bright side, I have done a few money saving tasks:
• Earned 214SB (after struggling to get more than 10 for days!)
• Made some hair conditioner as a frugal experiment. Hope it works — it's so much better for the environment, as well as costing pennies.
• Cancelled my O2 rolling contract and ordered a sim from Virgin — £3.30 a month cheaper AND more minutes and data (texts were already unlimited).

Maybe I'm pushing myself too hard, which is why I'm getting nowhere. I think I'll try a more relaxed approach to freelancing/writing and see what happens, since it can't make me any less productive.

AspiringButAnxious

Discoveries on day 1 of being kinder to myself:
• My homemade conditioner works really well — better than my usual one, despite my not using a great deal of it. Plus it hasn't left my hair smelling weird from the apple cider vinegar, as I'd feared!
• I can afford to pay off my debt in just over 3 years, based on just my ESA income. Considering this is my "nothing changes" scenario, it's made me more optimistic about my debt repayment and savings goals. It means that as long as I earn around £100 a week, I'll be okay.
• I feel a lot less stressed in general. Taking the pressure off myself is probably the best strategy.

I've also signed up for NaNoWriMo, which is next month. I'm hoping that focusing on a fiction writing goal will re-inspire me.

I ordered a £2.50 Amazon voucher from OpOutpost last night, which means I will definitely be able to cover the rest of my dad's birthday present. Just need to figure out what to get him now... I'll probably go with socks or chocolate. Not the most exciting present, but he buys himself everything he really wants anyway.

crazy_cat_lady

Well that sounds like a fantastic day You seem much more relaxed and it looks like 'worst case scenario' is ok - which really takes the pressure off. Pleased for you.

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks CCL

Today was very quiet, but a few good things:
• My new sim arrived — called to transfer my old number andit should be transferred on Monday. The weird thing is, I wasn't very anxious about phoning; even less anxious than when I called my old provider to get the pac.
• Got my £5 Amazon voucher from SB! Amazon balance= £6.67
• Earnt 184SB, so not far off my next £5 voucher (They have suddenly started wanting me for surveys again)

Also found a nice biscuit barrel on Amazon, which will be a perfect Xmas present for my grandparents. I will fill it with homemade biscuits Thinking of doing something similar for one of my friends — she is intolerant to lactose and egg white, so it's tricky to buy cookie-style biscuits and I'm vegan and love baking, so think I could make something tasty.

AspiringButAnxious

Just checked email and found £2.50 OpOp voucher, so new Amazon balance: £9.17

belleandthebudget

Sounds like things are going great, ABA. You're right, the only way to stick at this lifestyle is by being kind to ourselves.

I love the biscuit barrel idea as a gift - it's so thoughtful to fill it with home made cookies. Especially if you friend has trouble finding ones they can eat!

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks belle glad you like the gift idea — I'm aiming to spend a little less this year, so am trying extra hard to make the gifts thoughtful and tailored to each person.

Another quiet day today, with £1 from my nan added to the savings pot Feel very lazy: all I've done is baked some shortbread and changed my sheets.

Bobarella

You sound like you are still doing great to me. Sometimes your parameters change on what is achievable and to feel good about yourself you need to see that and adjust your expectations too.

You are trying to start a new venture,save,pay down debt, & manage your health. All are big things. Have you ever considered making lists of micro steps to each one? That way every day you would be ticking off achieved items no matter how small.

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks Bob I do try to do that, but often end up beating myself up if/when I don't tick off anything/enough. Maybe I should make a chart and track my progress — I already do that for my debt and savings, but could use the same strategy elsewhere.

Quiet day again, but I watched LOTS of SBTV to get 114SB so I could order another £5 Amazon voucher. Got 50SB back, too.