Should I sell to clear debts?

simple-living-ma

If you have any audible credits or a free trial to use the book "Your Money or Your Life" might change the way you think about consumption. Although, don't spend money on it as that defeats the point! Also, with social work background you might understand and resonate with Bauman's theory on consumption (seduced and repressed!). It's all about realising that we are tricked and coerced into thinking we need need need things but actually we have enough and buying more doesnt make us happy.

Make cutting back and saving your new hobby. Learn to really really love it because you should love yourself and you deserve to be financially free and happy. Post up an SOA here too. 

squirrelchops2

Hi worriedeswworker

Just wanted to say hi and offer my solidarity to you as I too am a former SW who, after a terribly harrowing time at one LA left in 2017 and haven't practiced since!  I do work now within social services but not in a role that requires me to be a SW and I love it!! I fully get why you wouldn't want to pick up doing Form F's and I am similar in that I do not want to be managing risk or doing crisis management every day anymore.

Obviously my wage is about half of what I could be earning as a SW but, as I had to have 6 months out of work as I was just too unwell to work (I had already left so no sick pay) I had already learnt to cut my cloth during the period of no pay. Pre covid I supplemented my income by doing bits of agency catering work (I worked/managed pubs before I ever became a SW) as and when it suited me. I also do things like online surveys and a bit of mystery shopping - ok it is not much money but it helps pay for little treats and has stopped me getting in to debt.

I truly hope that things work out for you though. I also understand how when you have a really stressful job you feel you want to buy more things or spend more almost as a reward for just surviving the week! Now, as I am so happy and stress free I don't have that desire to do so anymore and, ironically I probably have more money left at the end of the month that when I earnt significantly more!!!  I no longer need material things to feel better.

Sncjw

If you are struggling to pay your mortgage or worried where the money will come from its a bad idea to rent and invest money. If your struggling now it will be the same with renting plus rents can go up significantly and landlord can sell up and evict you.

If your children are working age can they contribute to the household to help witb running costs.

Maybe post an soa may help get us a better idea of your finances and what you can do to help.

gizmo111

squirrelchops2 said:

Hi worriedeswworker

Just wanted to say hi and offer my solidarity to you as I too am a former SW who, after a terribly harrowing time at one LA left in 2017 and haven't practiced since!  I do work now within social services but not in a role that requires me to be a SW and I love it!! I fully get why you wouldn't want to pick up doing Form F's and I am similar in that I do not want to be managing risk or doing crisis management every day anymore.

Obviously my wage is about half of what I could be earning as a SW but, as I had to have 6 months out of work as I was just too unwell to work (I had already left so no sick pay) I had already learnt to cut my cloth during the period of no pay. Pre covid I supplemented my income by doing bits of agency catering work (I worked/managed pubs before I ever became a SW) as and when it suited me. I also do things like online surveys and a bit of mystery shopping - ok it is not much money but it helps pay for little treats and has stopped me getting in to debt.

I truly hope that things work out for you though. I also understand how when you have a really stressful job you feel you want to buy more things or spend more almost as a reward for just surviving the week! Now, as I am so happy and stress free I don't have that desire to do so anymore and, ironically I probably have more money left at the end of the month that when I earnt significantly more!!!  I no longer need material things to feel better.

Wonder if us 3 know each other!

squirrelchops2

LOL gizmo well just this week I met a new SW and we knew several mutual friends having both worked all over the place lol! I think if you have worked in a few LAs you are bound to come across people you either know or have mutual friends.