26, no savings feel stuck

bobobski

Houseplant26 wrote: »

- I probably didn't need another hat, but when I'm cold it is very warm and it's silly Pom Pom cheers me up.

Houseplant, you remind me so much of myself! I know our situations are quite different but we seem to have the same feelings about those situations. Personally, I've had a very emotional week, including a "heart to heart" with my boss (I hadn't realised how worried I was about my job until I started crying in the meeting!), and November always leads to a depression for me - the question is just how deep it will go. I've been feeling like it's not worth it, I'll never get the house, no one would care if I disappeared etc...

So when I came across your thread again on here I had a bit of a read. It's cheered me up so much to see that you're doing so much better than when you first posted. I'm also really pleased that other MSE'ers have been so supportive of you. I particularly like that you list what you've learned, as this is something I think many people (myself included) fail to reflect on. The treading water comment above that you quoted struck a chord with me too by the way!

Anyway, well done, you've clearly stuck at this well and it seems to be having a positive impact on your life. You're an inspiration to a lot of people on here, I'm sure. Keep going! _party_

Houseplant26

bobobski wrote: »

Houseplant, you remind me so much of myself! I know our situations are quite different but we seem to have the same feelings about those situations. Personally, I've had a very emotional week, including a "heart to heart" with my boss (I hadn't realised how worried I was about my job until I started crying in the meeting!), and November always leads to a depression for me - the question is just how deep it will go. I've been feeling like it's not worth it, I'll never get the house, no one would care if I disappeared etc...

So when I came across your thread again on here I had a bit of a read. It's cheered me up so much to see that you're doing so much better than when you first posted. I'm also really pleased that other MSE'ers have been so supportive of you. I particularly like that you list what you've learned, as this is something I think many people (myself included) fail to reflect on. The treading water comment above that you quoted struck a chord with me too by the way!

Anyway, well done, you've clearly stuck at this well and it seems to be having a positive impact on your life. You're an inspiration to a lot of people on here, I'm sure. Keep going! _party_

Aw thank you for this. That's very kind. I bet a lot of people feel a similar way! I get pretty overwhelmed, even if I am doing ok and getting by and I have a clean home and a washed face I still just feel so bonkers sometimes. Like my head is so full but I feel stuck. I'm a bit terrible at planning and often have to live a day at a time. I'm definitely feeling much less claustrophobic since I started this process. Even though I'm staying in a fair bit!

I think this time of year is hard as it's colder and darker.

I hope your work is ok. Trust me a lot people, myself included, sometimes she's a tear at work. I've found trying to laugh at the chaos and make an effort with people at work helps me, but I'm lucky that although stressful and disorganised where I work generally has a very friendly supportive atmosphere. What was stressing you out at work if you don't mind me asking?

Reflecting on what I have learnt is really helping me. Going to my group therapy session is really helping me reflect too. After 10 years of being a bit poorly it's the best thing I've ever done for my mental health. I have two sessions left and I don't want it to end. The people I've met there are great.

I think MSE forums are a bit like group therapy too sometimes!

Houseplant26

Right going to to try to live this last week before payday as if there is no savings or overdraft to use.

Food (for me and OH)
I have 3 portions of homemade sweet potato and lentil curry still for us to eat.
I can make:
Spaghetti hoops on toast (I'll eat this for lunch tomorrow)
Chorizo and butter bean patties (not sure yet what to eat these with, maybe peas from freezer)
Pesto pasta with leeks
Tomato pasta with sausage and peas from freezer, I have some fried cheese at work I can rescue for this tomorrow night for tea
If I buy more value chopped tomatoes (I have £3 in purse after bus for therapy) I can make a lentil chilli

Today's lunch is soup and toast (soup was give to me for free from cafe in my workplace)

Meeting a friend today, she is buying a burrito but I've told her I need to eat before.

Houseplant26

So turns out tomorrow is pay day not Monday!

Scores on the doors for Oct-Nov pay.

I didn't quite do as well as I wanted this last week, it's Been very stressful and I ended up buying some food bits and also a glass of wine and dinner tonight with work colleagues.

I'm finishing £22 overdrawn but £5 in purse, so £17 overdrawn. Didn't dip into savings so that stands at £125.

Not amazing but pretty good going!

Houseplant26

I've worked out I lived off £950 ish pounds in order to save £100 and pay £233 of overdraft off.

After bills and rent I had £400, so that went on food, a little bit of small scale socialising, Christmas presents, toiletries (essential apart from an expensive facial scrub I do regret a bit), a hat and a book.

Houseplant26

I think I have spent about £160-£180 on food shops, eating out, take aways and socialising.

I'd like to get this figure down a bit!

Is that bad for a month? What do others spend?

I probably spend £25 a week on food shops for just me.... Can I do lower? Probably!

Houseplant26

So I've been paid..... Too much. I assume by a payroll error as I have around about £300 more than I should have! Going to send an email today and ask for my payslip and to discuss. It's annoying as I can't be 100% certain what I will have to live off this month (best guess/maths currently stands at around £1050).

I feel stressed and overwhelmed again. I'm proud of what I achieved last month but this month is a stark reminder of my low salary when not offered any overtime. Plus work has been majorly stressful and colleagues are off with stress/mental health concerns. It all feels very tough atm.

Houseplant26

Logging a spend £13.90 on food and a a magazine. I wouldn't normally buy a magazine but this one had a free gift of a face cream I want to try - that is worth £28 and a money off voucher for the brand.

Houseplant26

Logging a spend of £12.50 on a roast. Total luxury but I'm feeling burnt out and it's my only day off this weekend and I'm working tomorrow and part of Tuesday

Houseplant26

Had a spendy day today feeling a bit stressed. Bought some stationary items and spent about £16, then £4 on lunch.

I've worked some overtime today and yesterday but not very long hours.

Finance need to check the overpayment but should could put of next months wages so I've stuck it into savings. Hopefully some of it can remain there unless I earn way under my monthly minimum after its deducted off this month.