Help with financial phobia?

batterybunny wrote: »

Hi,

I'm feeling rather stupid about this but I've looked everywhere here and I don't know where to post. Is there anywhere on the forum that will give me tips on overcoming financial phobia?

I'm not in debt and I'm not wild with the credit/debit card, but I've become aware of a definite reluctance to review my bank statements, savings accounts, and leave envelopes unopened, to the extent that I'm having problems facing my SA tax returns.

It sounds silly but I'm getting much more stressed out about things than I should, and am frightened of getting into trouble with the authorities because of this, and things just seem to be getting worse.

I am retired now and do not need to fill in a tax return. I miss it. I also love reading my bank statements and financial planning and have endless Excel spreadsheets that I keep amending. I really enjoy opening new banks accounts and savings accounts. I actually enjoy filing in forms.

Some may say that I have a problem but people are all different. You and I have quite different preferences but there are some things that we just must do. I probably need to get a life and you need to check your bank statements and complete your SA tax return.

If you really cannot face it you could try asking a friend of family member to sit down with you and help you. It is probably just the first step that is the hardest. Once you have done that it should get easier.

As for me, I am probably a lost cause but I am sure there is still hope for you.

Good luck.

PS: I should add that apart from financial matters, I am a serial procrastinator with loads of essential chores around the house waiting for my attention. Perhaps I need to enlist the help of a friend or family member.

RG2015 wrote: »

I am retired now and do not need to fill in a tax return. I miss it. I also love reading my bank statements and financial planning and have endless Excel spreadsheets that I keep amending. I really enjoy opening new banks accounts and savings accounts. I actually enjoy filing in forms.

Some may say that I have a problem but people are all different. You and I have quite different preferences but there are some things that we just must do. I probably need to get a life and you need to check your bank statements and complete your SA tax return.

If you really cannot face it you could try asking a friend of family member to sit down with you and help you. It is probably just the first step that is the hardest. Once you have done that it should get easier.

As for me, I am probably a lost cause but I am sure there is still hope for you.

Good luck.

PS: I should add that apart from financial matters, I am a serial procrastinator with loads of essential chores around the house waiting for my attention. Perhaps I need to enlist the help of a friend or family member.

You sound just like me. I've lots of spreadsheets as well as using Ynab and I keep opening and closing bank accounts - 11 closed and 20 opened already this year.

My budget has plenty of money for the new sofa and bed that I need - but they won't buy themselves! Neither will my spare room decorate itself. Just hope I won't be saying the same things, same time next year.

frogletina

Thanks for the update.

I have just read your first post and then realised that I have already replied despite having no recollection of this.

What I can say is that this is a classic stress response. The fear of what may happen is frequently far worse than what actually happens.

I am so pleased for where you are now and hope that this marks the start of a new era for you.

Frogletina wrote: »

I have an update too. I eventually bought not one but two sofas, but they are taking some getting used to. After looking for so long I think I gave up and bought too easily - I'm really concerned that I've made the wrong decision.

frogletina

Oh how familiar that sounds to me. But I always look to Frank Sinatra for consolation.

"Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way"