Financial Freedom + Self Care

SnowBallBunny

Update:

I paid my rent and bought two gifts and a few Christmas cards - totalling £22.50.

As I'm temping I only get paid for the hours that I work so as soon as I can, I'll contribute to the debt and keeping paying that down this coming year.

Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive and encouraging. Have a lovely Christmas break and a Happy New Year everyone.

SnowBallBunny

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

Happy Christmas Snowball I hope you have a good one :xmassign::xmastree:

Merry Christmas Hairy! Have a Happy New Year. :T

SnowBallBunny

Hey everyone,

I have had a good Christmas with family who live a few hours away. I'm back home now and to be honest I have been feeling overwhelmed. I think I need to just call or speak to someone about this every week so that I can have an outlet. I was considering going to a Debtors Anonymous meeting but I thought that it might just bring me down.

I think I've been bottling things up and that has really stressed me out. I wrote about my feelings yesterday and this morning I called the Samaritans and spoke to a helpful and compassionate woman there. She gave me some practical suggestions including calling the bank and credit card company regarding freezing interest on my credit cards. I didn't think this was an option unless I worked full time.

I called the bank and they suggested that I apply for a Debt Consolidation loan. I'm not sure how this could/would affect my credit score. And whether it is worth doing.

Surely it's better for me to have a permanent job then I can consider this option?

Does anyone know about Debt Consolidation loans?

It's something I'll look into.

This whole situation is definately a LBM, a huge wake up call. As uncomfortable as it can be, I really want to turn this situation around and move forward in a positive way.

doingitanyway

Sounds like you had a nice family Christmas.

I'm glad you are getting support when you need it.

Debt consolidation may not be the best thing for you right now.
The bank is a profit making organisation and they will not have your best interest at heart. They will have theirs. It might be better to see a debt adviser for some support.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along to advise but maybe don't apply for it until you have had some independent advice.

You seem motivated so I am sure you can turn this around.

Lauralozzle

I’m glad to hear you had a good Christmas with your family.

I agree that debt consolidation may not be best for you. There are so many people on these forums who have taken out debt consolidation loans and end up in a worse position.

Remember that although this is daunting you ARE moving forward. You gave £400 in an emergency fund which is fantastic! And more than mine!

HairyHandofDartmoor

I don't think your bank will be giving you the best advice. Their job is to make money from their customers, and they get sales targets and bonuses for selling loans and other financial products.

If your debt is really getting you down then ring Stepchange the debt charity and speak to them. Their job is to help you and they are very kind and don't judge.

Your debt is relatively small compared to some, so I feel you are getting things a bit out of proportion due to stress and anxiety.

Job wise I think a permanent job would give more stability and routine to you, as you suffer from anxiety.

With regard to sleep, you know what to do a good long walk, or swim followed by a relaxing yoga session would help both your anxiety and sleep issues.

I get the impression you know what you should do, but then get self doubts and talk yourself out of it. Listen to yourself and trust yourself. You have good instincts and you can do this .

SnowBallBunny

doingitanyway wrote: »

Sounds like you had a nice family Christmas.

I'm glad you are getting support when you need it.

Debt consolidation may not be the best thing for you right now.
The bank is a profit making organisation and they will not have your best interest at heart. They will have theirs. It might be better to see a debt adviser for some support.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along to advise but maybe don't apply for it until you have had some independent advice.

You seem motivated so I am sure you can turn this around.

Agreed, the bank definately have their best interests in mind so I won't take any action unless I know it's the best thing for me.Thanks for your supportive words.

SnowBallBunny

HairyHandofDartmoor wrote: »

I don't think your bank will be giving you the best advice. Their job is to make money from their customers, and they get sales targets and bonuses for selling loans and other financial products.

If your debt is really getting you down then ring Stepchange the debt charity and speak to them. Their job is to help you and they are very kind and don't judge.

Your debt is relatively small compared to some, so I feel you are getting things a bit out of proportion due to stress and anxiety.

Job wise I think a permanent job would give more stability and routine to you, as you suffer from anxiety.

With regard to sleep, you know what to do a good long walk, or swim followed by a relaxing yoga session would help both your anxiety and sleep issues.

I get the impression you know what you should do, but then get self doubts and talk yourself out of it. Listen to yourself and trust yourself. You have good instincts and you can do this .

I agree with your points all round. You've outlined a very good self care programme there. You're very perseptive. Self doubt and just fixating on this isn't helping me. Swimming, walking, yoga would all help, I think I should also go to some exhibitions, there are free ones in and near the University.

I can do this, I think this has knocked my confidence in ways I didn't expect. I'm working on a job application at the moment, deadline is 1st January. It would give me more Project experience so I think it would be a good move.

Thank you so much Hairy, I really appreciate your kind words.

SnowBallBunny

Lauralozzle wrote: »

I’m glad to hear you had a good Christmas with your family.

I agree that debt consolidation may not be best for you. There are so many people on these forums who have taken out debt consolidation loans and end up in a worse position.

Remember that although this is daunting you ARE moving forward. You gave £400 in an emergency fund which is fantastic! And more than mine!

Yes it doesn't always feel like I am moving forward but I am. It's good to be reminded of that. Thanks Laura. :T

SnowBallBunny

I reconnected with my Cousin recently. She's someone who I've always admired. She's such a hardworker and although she's been through a lot, she's achieved a lot academically and career-wise.

She moved into her own flat 3 months ago and has a mortgage now. The deposit and moving costs wiped out her savings. She was self employed making great money for 18 months but she decided to stop and take on a permanent job to secure her mortgage and rebuild her savings.

She said that she was glad that she 'finally' got on the housing ladder, I don't see it like that, she's a few years older than me and I just admire her for getting to that point. It's inspiring to see women I know doing this.

Now I just have to extend that same perspective to myself.