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

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks, tara The debt goal, on the other hand, has fallen behind... My aim was to not add to my debt, but I've been usig my cc because of the zero interest deal giving me more flexibility — should be able to reduce the overall amount very slightly though

I kept reading that people who wake up early are more productive and successful, so when I woke up accidentally at 5:30am a couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd run an experiment! I used to get up about 8:15 most days, sometimes up to an hour later. So far, the main effect is that I feel awake by 8am, whereas it used to be noon before I felt alert. Hoping things will improve further when I get used to the new sleep pattern — I'm assuming the first 3/4 weeks will be the most challenging as I adapt.

It does seem a bit extreme, but we'll see... Trouble is, the rest of the household uses the bathroom constantly from 6am to 7:30am, so potential waking times are limited. I do quite enjoy the quiet hour before anyone elee is up, too

reality_check

I am so much more productive in the mornings. I can fit in far more in the hour before I got ready for work as oppose to an hour in the evening, I'm talking things like housework so nothing that requires much thought. I am amazed at people who can write, I can just about manage messages on here lol

Hope you're feeling better still, have you tried one of those clocks that wake you up with light? No idea of what they are called and if they actually work, but could maybe make you feel better with the dark mornings that are soon on the way! xxx

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks, rc I don't have one of those alarm clocks, but I do have an SAD lamp! I will probably start using it again soon. It doesn't work miracles, but it helps

Paid £70 to cc yesterday and have £35 earmarked for writing group annual subs.

Feeling a bit stressed this week. New term of writing group starts on Saturday, so anxious about that. Also running a crowdfunding campaign for the local mental health charity I volunteer for — it's started very slowly, with the £15,000 target nowhere in sight. Any advice on running a crowdfunding campaign/engaging people would be much appreciated!

AspiringButAnxious

Paid my mum £80 and cc £20, which brings it down to £210.

Had a really bad couple of weeks, but feeling better the past few days.

misstara

Sorry to hear that you've not been great but glad you're a bit better. Not long to go on the credit card now

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks, tara

Paid £45 off cc, so now £165. Determinec to clear by the time the interest-free period ends in November.

Been swamped by crowdfunding, which could be going better. I'm not going to stress about it — I'm doing as much as I can and we have raised nearly £1400 so far, which means it was worthwhile. Trouble is, we need £15,000 to guarantee that our support groups in a particular town will be allowed to continue. The groups were funded by a company which has been unable to renew its funding due to financial difficulties, which means a lot of young people who need mental health support will be left in te lurch if we have to close the groups.

I feel awkward because I can't expect my friends to donate (though bestie has!) after they were so generous when I did my Peru trek. Trying to get our supporters on social media to donate, but with little effect. We have over 1000 followers and our reach is improving, but only 43 people have donated — one of which was a test donation and 3 me, my mum and brother! Even the volunteers and families of young people in our support groups aren't donating much

If anyone has any idea for how I can make drastic improvements in the next 3 days with just my iPad/laptop, please, please tell me

I'm actually feeling pretty good this week. My mood has improved. I think the crowdfunding campaign has given me more of a sense of purpose, so I feel like I'm doing something valuable with my days. It's hard to keep faith when I'm writing and blogging without getting much feedback. It's been nearly a year since my last writing success though I aim to enter the novel in a competition at the end of the year, once I kick it into shape

AspiringButAnxious

Paid £95 off cc — now £70. Should clear within the next couple of weeks

AspiringButAnxious

Cc now £30, so will be cleared next week.

Crowdfunding madness is over — and we hit our target! Was a small miracle, involving Crowdfunder letting us put offline donations towards the total and Santander match funding the maximum £7500. It means the support groups for young people with mental health problems are saved, so I'm delighted and very relieved!

Started OU course this week. Early days, so nervous about my ability to keep studying consistently. Hopefully my mental health will remain pretty good for the foreseeable.

misstara

Fantastic news that you hit the target for the crowdfunding appeal, well done. I work in mental health and although there's a lot more awareness these days, there hasn't generally been a corresponding increase in funding so I'm so happy that you've managed to keep the support groups running.

Also well done for almost clearing the credit card and good luck with your course.

AspiringButAnxious

Thanks, tara Yeah, I've noticed the lack of funding! The organisation I volunteer for is called The Project and there's huge demand for more groups, but fewer and fewer grants available. In addition, I've noticed that while a lot of people voice support for people with mental health problems, relatively few of them put their money where their mouth is...

Forgot to mention that I paid off my Very account yesterday, so the debt has officially transferred to being part of the loan from my parents. Also decreased my credit limit, which they had increased to £4850, so now it's £850. Part of me thinks I should just close the account, but it's handy to use the credit with. "pay in 6/12 months" offers, when I'm thinking straight and planning out my finances; trouble is, when my mental health plummets, I make bad choices. This way, I can minimise potential damage while keeping access to some credit.