The Mental Debt Struggle...

LittleMissDetermined · 3 May 2023 at 8:01AM

Your plan seems sound Keedie, especially as you're including that £1k emergency fund. The course sounds good, I always enjoy the ones with group discussions so you can hear other proples opinions and perspectives.

AntoMac is right, you've done brilliantly to get that 0% deal, and now you just have the one card it will be easier for you to track. I chuckled at your over payment, that's exactly what my OCD makes me do :D

Things will get better for you xx

Makingabobor2 · 3 May 2023 at 9:54AM

Sounds like you are doing really well and have a firm hand on it all. Hope it continues to go well

Keedie · 3 May 2023 at 11:45AM

Yes I really did learn a lot in those 2.5 hours for the course and I'm glad that I went. I have an induction tomorrow afternoon for the Clubhouse, to see what mental health services they offer and it's like a drop-in service and some structured activities to help you get back on your feet.

The Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) was helping me to get a routine going. As I think having structure within myself would prevent me from only having that ordered sense of purpose from working, especially considering that the environment is so toxic there. I'm still quite scared to go back to work. My MHP said that I need to focus on structure and consistency first and to not overwhelm myself, and that she can write a letter for work to state that I need time to heal. My manager wanted to speak to me for a check in, but I'm just not able to deal with that right now. I might call her back next week.

I was very lucky to get that balance transfer @AntoMac and I'm glad that I only have one thing to think about now in terms of the credit cards. I have 20 direct debits (excluding the one at the end of this month) until the interest kicks in. So I'll see how much I can get rid of by then.

Now that I have a plan for the debts, I'm able to focus on savings for this year. I think having the starter emergency fund in place will make all the difference @LittleMissDetermined and I'll still keep paying into it even when it's fully funded as my next target for the emergency fund will be £3,000, but that will be a slow burn. Once I've got the starter emergency fund in place, I'll work on my One Month Ahead fund, so that I can save one month's worth of bills.

Thank you @Makingabobor2, I'm trying really hard to focus on the things that will help me. My finances are a great source of anxiety for me, so doing things this way means that I can try and keep on top of things and reduce the stress that it causes me. Hopefully, there's no major issues and things can tick along in a drama free fashion 🤗.

I forgot to respond to your comment AntoMac about my American friend and the cost of showing him around. I've found lots of cheap or free things to do, but there's a lot of driving and eating out etc and so I have to budget for that as many times my son will be with us, so I have to have enough. The museums are free, and we're doing a lot of them and the big ticket things like going out of London etc has been mostly paid for already and I'm close to booking other things as well.

Once I've booked everything like the London Eye and that new Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station that goes 109 metres above ground with 365 degree views, I'll see what the balance of that fund is that is needed. The Great British Summer fund will also pay for family activities or things that my son wants to do. I intend to be very lazy for my holiday and not do a great deal of activities. My son wants to do those 4 wheel buggies that he can drive as he's 16 and I want to do historical tour. We'll probably do another excursion that we both pick, but I'd be happy to just go into the local village/city centre and hobble around. I don't plan on spend everything, but it'll be good to know it's there if I need it.

Makingabobor2 · 3 May 2023 at 12:26PM

Ooh not heard of the lift at Battersea, might have to put that on my list when we finally get round to going to London for days out again. Not been for 3 1/2 years and I do miss London, we've had so many good times there.

Keedie · 3 May 2023 at 1:10PM

It's a new feature @Makingabobor2 and I'm quite excited to go. The whole Battersea Power Station has had a great renovation and is quite swanky. This is what we'll be doing https://lift109.co.uk/your-visit/ and I'll be able to get a carer to come with me for free, and as the carer has to be 18+, so my friend will pay for my son's ticket and I'll use the free one for my friend. So I'll be able to take my son and only pay for the one ticket at £15.90 and we'll both be able to go 🤗.

My son has a conditional offer for his top college choice with no interview required so I'm very relieved! I'll be making a celebratory macaroni and cheese with BBQ chicken as that's one of his favourite meals.

Keedie · 3 May 2023 at 4:30PM

My direct for £72.67 to Creation came out today and my Sky Mobile is coming out tomorrow.

I'm going to try and go for a walk later with my rollator and see if it helps clear my head. I've been feeling really on edge today, so I think some fresh air will help as it's quite warm and it's a nice day.