Comments on: Ask a Money-Challenged Person: Why Am I the Worst?

By: eemusings@twitter

eemusings@twitter — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 05:04:08 +0000

Definitely bite the bullet and do it! I just pushed back paying our annual car insurance bill to the very last day, only to realise cover expired at 4pm and we were calling at like 8pm. Luckily, I don’t think they noticed. (And I won’t set up direct debit because I refuse to give companies any ins into my bank account or credit card).

Difficult calls = definitely script out key points on paper in front of you.

By: beatricks@twitter

beatricks@twitter — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 04:32:53 +0000

I have an anxiety disorder. It’s especially intense around all things paperworky, so opening mail has been a big problem for me. (Everything about my college career, TOO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT, ended with a single email of me asking for help and some registrar dude cold wiping away my debt) (Also that time I had to go to court because I was afraid of opening my unemployment and sent it in late!!!) I’ve learned, though, that the dread of doing something while avoiding it actually takes a billion times more energy than doing the thing I’m afraid of. Because every moment I’m not doing the thing but guiltily aware I should is a moment I’m spending Actively Not Doing It. Actively Doing It takes like five minutes. So yeah, fuck anxiety in the ear; open your mail, and you will feel better. I used to literally bring my mail to therapy and open it there, but you can also have a friend sit with you, and you’ll feel silly and relieved. Plus when you ask for help sometimes dudes just cold wipe away your debt.

By: mishaps

mishaps — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 03:47:37 +0000

I hate the mail.

You know what helps? Scotch.

By: charmcity

charmcity — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:54:36 +0000

Every time I consider ignoring potentially unpleasant mail, I remember what happened to the family in The House of Sand and Fog. And how it all started because someone ignored their mail. Smartens me right up.

By: sockhopbop

sockhopbop — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:19:35 +0000

@Aunt_Pete Such good tips! I also like to have my laptop with me so I can Google anything confusing that’s happening during the phone call (and look at calming pictures of baby animals, have supportive friends on GChat urging me to make the call, etc).

By: DON

DON — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:18:44 +0000

I haven’t read the answer yet, but I just came down here to say that the last time I opened my mail I found bills for over $700 from various cities, states and municipalities. Never again.

By: Aunt_Pete

Aunt_Pete — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:50:10 +0000

I used to be really nervous about business phone calls. My loans got super effed up for a while because I kept putting off making the necessary calls.

For those of you with similar anxieties, it helps to be prepared. Sit down at a table or at least stand in front of a clear counter. Lay out all of your correspondence and circle relevant information like your account number and any important dates so you can find them quickly. Have a pad of paper to write on and a pen (or two) that you KNOW work. A calculator is great too if you have one so you don’t have to do calculations on your cell. Take notes while you’re talking and make sure to get names and confirmation numbers when necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.