Trying to stay out of debt! [35/AuDHD/Cats/Frugal Living]

Catlady2025

Some days I seem unable to consider 'future me'. You hear of lots of people in tons of debt and I think 'why not be like them and get what you want?' but I know from being debt-free that it is a better feeling even though you don't get everything you want at that very minute. 

I wish you all the best of luck. A lot of people with autism can only learn/process things visually. Do you use much cash? Might not work of course. I used to be obsessed with money. Always had my head down when we went anywhere looking for pennies on the floor. Even then I could never find a balance. I'm good at finding ways to make/save money but never had money spare or in savings. 

Catlady2025

Today I had another NSD! 

Sandwich from a TGTG bag from yesterday that was one of those being in the right place at the right time deals! Then I had chicken & mushrooms for dinner. 

Played some video games this afternoon and now back to more Disney+. I wish I didn't love it so much, but they have all/most of my favourite shows! 

I feel like I need to write more, but it all seems irrelevant. 

browneyed_girl

Absolutely amazed by your NSDs!  I think we've managed one this whole month!!  Must do better in February...

I don't think anything that you might want to write is irrelevant - I find it therapeutic to just write utter nonsense that's on my mind even if it has nothing to do with finances!  I also think it helps us to get the full picture so we know how best to cheer you on!

Catlady2025

No NSD today.  

I forgot to take anything out of the freezer - I have a lot of home made meals that just need to be defrosted. I waited too long and ended up ordering a pizza. 

I 'justified' it in my head because I had money in my paypal account. As soon as I ordered it I regretted it tbh. Maybe that's a positive thing for the future? Trying to turn it around! It could have been more maybe. 

Thank you for your comments again @browneyed_girl! I think because I often end up saying things that other people aren't interested in/isn't appropriate I struggle to know what to say and what to keep to myself a lot of the time. 

I'm going to take some meals out of the freezer later!! 

Catlady2025

Sat, Sun, Mon were NSDs. 

Today... not so great. I had not been feeling great, and this morning I just wanted to leave the house. Bought a sort of oodie that I don't like the fit of, so it might end up on Vinted - and if I'd checked Facebook I'd have seen a local discount shop selling oodies for £10!

I popped into Sburys and treated myself to a cake. It was Ystickered so not such a bad thing... BUT. I also got another takeaway because AGAIN I hadn't taken anything out of the freezer. 

Accepting that I have bad days is hard, but when they have an affect on my better days it feels really frustrating. 

Still - it is not the end of the world! 

puffintail

Hey @Catlady2025

I'm going to follow along with your journey, as a fellow differently-wired-brain owner (I'm 37, and AuDHD). I appreciate the (virtual) connection with others who get the struggles. As you say, each person is different, but the shared wonky experiences we have relating to our neurodivergence often have similar themes.

I really like your posts, particularly the ones that you think could be irrelevant/not of interest. I personally find it so valuable to 'talk out loud' about whatever is in my head, but doing it just to myself doesn't have the same impact as when I do it in the company of another person (or, in the case of these forums, anyone having a read ☺️)

Catlady2025

Thank you for commenting @puffintail I changed the name of the thread to reflect being autistic in the hopes that maybe someone else with autism would find me! I notice you've done the same for your diary. I do think I'm AuDHD, but in the process of assessment for autism and couldn't face the ADHD assessment at the same time. I don't understand why they don't combine them - many of my symptoms overlap different diagnoses and I have other 'labels' too but this one feels like it fits best. It feels easier to tell someone you are autistic (although some people frown at this) than try to explain cptsd/depression/anxiety/mood disorder.   

I will definitely check out your diary too. Back in 2018 I finally came out of a DRO. I know it would be easy to accumulate huge debts again if I just let myself 'be myself' and do what I want when I want. At the moment I am cautiously pursuing a sales side project(??) but I keep telling myself to do all sort of things with packaging materials that would cost money when actually I have everything I need already. 

Catlady2025

Today will not be an NSD. Wednesday never are! Quiz night and I forgot to take anything out of the freezer again. I spent some time streaming a video game, as I'm hoping to get back into the habit of doing that. Last night when I was in bed I remembered I needed to put laundry on the timer for the morning, and when I got back into bed I realised I hadn't taken anything out of the freezer and Kiara had just curled up in bed with me so I didn't want to disturb her so it just never happened! 

On the other hand my new 'venture' has seen a sale! Everything is done via the website so they calculate postage & a little extra for packing materials. That's an extra £3.66 in my pocket.

puffintail

Catlady2025 said:

Thank you for commenting @puffintail I changed the name of the thread to reflect being autistic in the hopes that maybe someone else with autism would find me! I notice you've done the same for your diary. I do think I'm AuDHD, but in the process of assessment for autism and couldn't face the ADHD assessment at the same time. I don't understand why they don't combine them - many of my symptoms overlap different diagnoses and I have other 'labels' too but this one feels like it fits best. It feels easier to tell someone you are autistic (although some people frown at this) than try to explain cptsd/depression/anxiety/mood disorder.   

I will definitely check out your diary too. Back in 2018 I finally came out of a DRO. I know it would be easy to accumulate huge debts again if I just let myself 'be myself' and do what I want when I want. At the moment I am cautiously pursuing a sales side project(??) but I keep telling myself to do all sort of things with packaging materials that would cost money when actually I have everything I need already. 

Yes! You inspired me to change the name of my diary ☺️ I can completely understand the reticence to pursue an ADHD assessment, I had my ADHD assessment first (about 3 years ago) and only had my Autism one in December of last year. 

You're right about it being more socially palatable to say 'Autism' vs other awful brain and emotional conditions, I feel like you get less quizzed (although, I do get the 'but you don't look autistic' and/or 'but you cope really well'....if only they knew 🙃

I just saw the sale success on your latest post! Congratulations!

Catlady2025

I keep meaning to tackle the autism triage form. I've got until the 11th Feb. 

I've ALWAYS had people say things like that to me 'you don't look like you're depressed/anxious/have a personality disorder'. Sometimes I just outright ask them what they think I should look like? I often wish for a more understanding world, but feel a little helpless because most of my own family have been very dismissive about anything I've talked to them about. 

I've had two more Pokemon card orders today, and listed another 100+ cards so we shall see what tomorrow brings. 

NOT an NSD - as un-NSD as a day could possibly be. 

Going to try and spend some time with a notebook tomorrow and think about writing some intentions down because I feel like I've fallen off the wagon a bit. Might try to write up a budget too.