I often worry that I might be homeless someday
I'm talking about in the future, when most of my older relatives (and partner) are gone and if I lose touch with my cousins or friends. I know you will probably say that I shouldn't be worrying about such things that might not happen but sometimes I'll be going about my daily business when this thought will strike me and make me suddenly stop in my tracks and start to panic.
Security is one of my main essentials in life, along with love. I'm not too bothered about money - as long as I have enough money to keep me secure that is. Being on the streets frightens me. It will be an early death for me, either by fright or by the cold. Actually I think pure fright will kill me before the cold does.
I just worry that I might lose my job in the future, or not have a job, or be unable to find a job that pays all my bills, or I might be too overwhelmed to work full-time and not be able to do it, I don't know. And then that will lead to the landlords or council caring about nothing but their money and will throw me out of my home on the spot, with me having nowhere to go; no friends, no family, nothing.
What if this will be what becomes of me? Homelessness terrifies me. Can they force you out on to the streets if you are a decent person with emotional/mental health issues? Is there help you can get, like advisors, mentors, doctors, etc? Or are you just left to rot on the street? I know the UK subtly cares more about money than about people's lives. Could somebody reassure me, just to put my mind at rest? Or educate me?
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Female
If you ever get into difficulty like losing a job or financial problems contact the council or landlord straight away and try to arrange something. Sometimes it's possible, they might let you pay in instalments if you don't have the money right then.
In the worse case scenario of you ending up on the streets you'd be given priority for two reasons, being female and having a diagnosis of Asperger's. You would be seen as having more urgent need than the majority on the homeless list.
Obviously I hope you don't ever end up in that situation.
Let this anxiety motivate you to be more financially secure. Read books and articles on "financial independence for women" in your country. In the US they recommend you have a bank account large enough to cover your living expenses for 6 months (minimum) if you were to lose your job or be unable to work for a while. You should also be saving for retirement, and the sooner you begin, the better. Even a modest job can give you a nice investment if you start at the age you are now and put some of it in safe investments and the rest of it in funds that are likely to grow in value. Most people benefit by using a financial counselor.
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A finger in every pie.
I do have a savings account, which I am scared to touch, in case I'll need it someday. I have a driver's license but don't have a car, because I know the expense of running a car and I'm scared it will eat all my money up. Some people, especially my uncle, get on my case because I don't have a car, but I have a free bus pass because I work for a bus company, so I'm quite happy getting around on buses for free. Yes, buses have cons but then so does having a car.
Some people tell me that "a few thousand pounds" won't get me far in this day and age, but surely having a few thousand saved up is better than having none at all if my life did go astray someday, right?
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Female
