The Mental Debt Struggle...

AntoMac

Silver is adorable Keedie. I’m sure she brings you a huge amount of joy during tough times

Keedie

She really is adorable @antomac and it's hard to remember when she wasn't around. The last week has been a bit difficult as she seems to be really struggling since her operation and she's been on a lot of medication. It's a bit concerning how sedentary she's become and she's not wanting to eat as much. I think the vets think I am being too antsy, but I am worried. In hindsight, I should have waited to book the spay surgery until the worst of my anxiety episode was over. I think I'm annoying Silver by constantly checking on her and trying to get her to eat. I think she might also be depressed. As she has been sleeping quite a lot, and has little interest in doing anything.

Anyways, on a financial front, I'm going to the post office on Thursday to pay in the £300 I've saved so far, so that I can pay some money to my mum for the bookkeeping course. That will put me at 10% of the amount so far being repaid.

I need to get a new cooker as mine is nearly 20 years old, and I've meaning to replace it for a while, but never get around to it. I'm hoping to save enough for it before it goes kaput, without having to use my emergency fund (which is looking rather woeful), and without using my long term emergency fund.

I got a preliminary online quote for my car at £1,725. It won't be near that much as the MOT runs out in a couple of weeks and there's rust on the wheel arches at the back. But it's giving me hope that I can £750 for it and with the insurance and tax refund, get as close to £1,000 overall. That way, I will be able to set aside £500 for my son's driving lessons and £500 for me to get around by cabs or London Taxicard where needed. If that all comes to fruition, I'll be really happy.

beanielou

Hope your wee pal is on the mend really soon.

Keedie

Thanks @beanielou. I managed to get an appointment tomorrow afternoon with the vet and they can check her out. She definitely looks like she's lost weight. These vet costs seems to all be adding up 😬. I definitely need a pet pot!

Keedie

The vet saw Silver for free today and she's lost a bit of weight, but she's okay in general.

I've managed to set aside £150 into my Social Solitude pot, so there is £300 in there in total now. When I have finished the savings challenge, it will save £500 in total and I had £50 set aside already. I will probably keep saving so that I can go to the Phillipines in Easter 2027. My friend said that booking big expenses on credit cards gives greater protection for your purchases, and so I will need to check that out. But I will need to save all of the money for the flights, so that if I use a credit card, I can pay it straight back.

It's bothering me that I have this debt with my mum, so I don't want to add to it. But I am looking forward to seeing my brother and meeting his new wife. My sister and her family are travelling with me, so that makes me feel better. I was really worried about navigating special assistance via two connecting flights and a very very long travel time. So knowing that I won't be alone is a good thing. And it's my mum's 75th in April next year, so I need to save up for that as well. If she comes to the Phillppines with us, then it would be great if we can do something special for her over there.

As the world is in freefall at the moment, nothing is set in stone in terms of travel plans. And we'd need to keep an eye on air traffic routes, as going via Dubai is not likely to be an option. It's really been stressing me out, how destructive and cruel human beings can be toward one another 🥺. And how powerful people can have a complete disregard for other people's lives, and use everything as a power play to assert dominance over others. Sorry to rant, but it really is bothering me.

I've done a provisional tax return for 2025-26, and it looks like I owe around £1,624.50 including payment on account for the 2026/27 tax year. I've got £1,200 saved, and estimated bill for 2025/26 is £1,083. So I need to pay what I have and then figure out reducing that payment on account bit later in the tax year. I will fully cease trading in a couple of months and will close the business with HMRC. So this current tax year will be my last tax return. As I won't be employed much over this tax year and the freelancing has dwindled, I don't want to give HMRC too much money and then have the hassle of trying to claim it back.

daisy_1571

I think you'll need to do a 26/27 return as you will have info to give them for this year but if you don't do as much as previous years it should create a much smaller tax bill so fingers crossed that will be your last one with anything to pay. (I got sent an email to do one for the following year as well ie so one complete tax year of no self employment. I didn't respond cos I thought it must be error as I'd told them we'd finished self employment and I knew there was nothing to pay then we each got £100 fine for not completing ! Luckily no interest to pay as obviously tax bill was£0 but having to pay the £200 was incredibly annoying. Learn from my mistake 😆 basically the rule is if they send you one- fill it in! )

Dxx

Keedie

That's really handy to know @daisy_1571, thank you! I can't believe you got fined, that's just crazy. But you're right, there will be one for 2026/27, and from what you're saying, 2027/28 as well even though there will be no self assessment needed.

I'm not in a position to be freelancing as a bookkeeper anytime soon. I'm struggling as it is to do the course and I'm so behind it's a joke. I need to ask for a course extension as I know I will not complete the Level 2 by the end of September 2026.

My agency contract was extended until 31 July 2026, but I will give notice to end on 29 May 2026, so I that I can have a breather and get on with my studies. My last freelance contract should wrap up July/August 2026, and I can do that about in about 10 hours a week spread out in short bursts. I'm hoping that I can get a better routine going as I enjoy the course, but I'm so exhausted all the time.

As I don't know what will happen with my PIP award, I am still trudging through the agency contract, so that I can get myself into a better financial position should I lose my PIP. Hopefully that doesn't happen, but I know people do not get it awarded upon renewal sometimes. I was given it for 5 years and I've deteriorated since 2021, but I'm really struggling with writing the answers as they want it to be phrased 😬.

beanielou

Keep plodding xx

weenancyinAmerica

Agree with you about Orange Idiot. Thank you.

liselle

That’s true about using a Credit Card for security.I use mine for that too, and like you, always have the money set aside to repay it in full.