Does anybody else out there suffer with financial anxiety?

walletmoths

Thank you so much for your lovely replies. Your comments really warm my heart

Poppy1984

Absolutely!!! I feel like this debt hanging over me is like a noose around my neck! I very much feel the anxiety around finances you are describing here. My heart goes out to you.
The problem these days is that most people arent used to waiting for anything. Everything's so instant these days. Gone are the days when the only people who had brand new reg cars on the drive were those who had the money to buy them outright. These days it's the norm to get a brand car on pcp etc a new build house as your first home. Furnished with brand new everything from a catalogue.
Like others have said some people talking about what they've bought or holidays etc will be in debt, some won't but some will and most wont discuss that either way.
You're doing well paying off your debt and you will reap the benefits in the future. Good luck

determined_new_ms

I am debt free. After living with debt, kidding ourselves we were paying it off while we were simultaneously spending on cc each month, we went hell for leather and paid off £16k in 10 months. We lived extreme frugality. I got a buzz from it. We then saved and got a deposit for a house, while doing that we continued with frugality. We moved in to the house and within 18 months our life and financial situation changed drastically and then we didn't have much so continued with the frugality.

I never earnt as much after this point. I was out of work for 12 months, then worked p/t for 2 years and now have been in ft employment for 18 months but at a much lower salary than previously (12k less).

We do have enough now, everything we need, most things we want, and are able to save each month. But after all those years of frugality it had an impact on me and I found it really hard to be free with money, even if I could afford things it made it hard for me to spend money.

I've vaguely worked on not being so rigid with my finances over the last year or so. I tend to live quite frugally but it should be so I can have the things in life that I want, not just going without everything. I definitely feel less constrained now than I did 18 months ago but I still struggle with spending large amounts of money on things I know I could do for a fraction of the price myself. Going out for meals is a noticeable area for me. If I want to get my family together - partner, lo, grown up children and partner - then we would be looking at least £120 even at the cheaper end of maybe a roast in a pub - and I can't bring myself to do it when I know I could do us a fantastic meal, desert and drinks for sub £30.

Things like going out with people I'm not going to really have my best time with don't bother me. But situations like above do

aimeemum

My advice is to watch some Dave Ramsey videos. They are so motivating and you'll see how his advice makes sense to everyone! You can then use his words to help your situation. You'll come to recognise the signs of people who are overspending, or making 'stupid' (Dave's words, not mine) decisions and you'll realise that EVERYONE has issues to contend with but unlike them, you're dealing with yours.

Break everything down so you feel in control. Tell your money what to do. And lastly say NO! It wont matter in the long run that you missed that meal with friends, or didn't buy that item....but in the short term you'll be able to sleep at night and you're the most important person, not 'THEM'.

Ultimately it's about confidence. You need to know that you're doing everything correctly and without that confidence you're going to be anxious.

Honeysucklelou2

Yes, financial anxiety ( though first time I've heard or thought of that phrase) is experienced somewhat regularly. I budget for expenses but if I end up having to do extra journeys ( and incurring extra diesel costs) or suddenly have school trips sprung on me, that will cause anxiety.

pennystretcher

I have learned to say "no" to invitations I'm not interested in. I guess you could call it "JOMO" - joy of missing out.

I rarely go to work nights out - only if it is someone's leaving do that I liked working with, I'll go. For all other work functions - I spend 40 hours already with my work colleagues, but have no interest in spending my free time with them as well if I can avoid it.

parsniphead

pennystretcher wrote: »

I have learned to say "no" to invitations I'm not interested in. I guess you could call it "JOMO" - joy of missing out.

I rarely go to work nights out - only if it is someone's leaving do that I liked working with, I'll go. For all other work functions - I spend 40 hours already with my work colleagues, but have no interest in spending my free time with them as well if I can avoid it.

I've said this in the past to colleagues. Luckily they saw the funny side.

One-step-at-a-time

I definitely still get anxious (daily!) about the remaining debt and the impact that paying it off at full steam has on everything else, but I don't feel socially pressured into spending and I'm quite happy to say that things aren't in my budget. Nobody has yet questioned why.

Februarycat

I can identify with all that you say. Mine started when I got divorced and I only work part time so very little spare cash for anything. Once my bills and mortgage are paid each month I have hardly anything left.


It's not nice and everyone else seems to be having holidays, meals out, buying loads. I am trying to find either another part time job or full time but not easy when your in your 50s but hoping something will turn up soon.


Good luck