Page 29 - BOL Dec22/Jan23 Holiday Edition

CONVERSATIONS WITH
Leonie
Leonie

Hi Leonie,
Just like everyone else, the continued interest rate hikes has hit us hard. We are paying
$ 3,865 a month with increases happening on the regular. We had planned to start a family by now but there is no way I can give up work and still
keep the house and keep everything else going. I am sick to death of being sick over money worries. I worry about worrying and I feel anxious all
the time. I have not had my hair professionally done since Covid hit and I am making do with the same old clothes and to be honest makeup, that
is clearly out of date. There are no outings or social activities and its embarrassing to say we can’t afford to go out, so we tell our friends we are
busy. Life has really changed, and we have no money for things that were once a staple. My husband is fed up with what he calls my “doomsday”
fretting and says it is getting him down and he does not know how much longer he can take it. We obviously can’t afford counselling. Please, do
you have any advice for us?
Anne/Scarborough

Hi Anne,

Looking at your situation, I can see that your health is at risk. You are showing signs of stress such as insomnia, anxiety and futurizing
and catastrophising. The old saying, “Worried Sick” is truer than most people will ever realise. A marked increase in stress hormones
can often be seen in people who are worried or in a state of stress for long periods of time. If a person stays in this elevated state of
stress, it can lead to chronic illness. Living with this kind of stress can cause everything from obesity to depression. Debt stress can
have a disastrous affect on your immune system and your relationships and can make it harder to deal with any additional problems
that are bound to occur in our everyday lives.

Your house is in Scarborough so it should be worth at least what you paid for it and perhaps a little more. Maybe you don’t have to
give up on the idea of your own home, maybe you just have to back trade to somewhere a little more affordable. If you do this, you
may be able to get more equity quicker and up trade accordingly. I am no financial advisor, but I do believe that no house is worth
risking your health or your marriage over.

Is your husband truly aware of how worried and unhappy you are or does he just think you are griping all the time? Maybe you could
sit him down and talk to him. You may find that he is relieved
that you are prepared to work the problem instead of having Email: leonieschilling@bigpond.com
the problem work you.
Leonie is a qualified private
practitioner at North Lakes
Depending on your age group, your husband may see his role Counselling Services.
as the provider and feel a sense of inadequacy if you have to For appointments please phone
sell your home. Talk to him and make sure that he knows that 3886 2715 or 0423 653 841
you do not hold this view. www.northlakescounsellingservices.com.au

I would suggest that you get some qualified financial advice ABOUT LEONIE
as often there are options that you have not thought of such
as refinancing with a different lending institution with fixed Leonie is a qualified counsellor, Trainer and Assessor, published
interest rates. Some lenders will even pay you to change Author, Columnist, Radio Commentator and Justice of the Peace.
Established in 2007, North Lakes Counselling Services has a
your loan over to them and I would encourage you to use a long history of helping couples and individuals manage their
broker to see what can be done as part of a solution focused relationships and attain their personal goals.
approach to your current situation.
CATCH LEONIE’S RADIO SHOW “ON THE
Leonie OF THE MONTH AT 11AM ON 99.7 BRIDGE FM
Til next month COUCH WITH LEONIE” EVERY THIRD TUESDAY

Dec 2022 - Jan 2023 www.bestoflocal.com.au 29