I feel like an awful human being

[LadyJaneAmber]

I’m struggling to make ends meet, despite being on 30,000 a year. My mortgage has just risen to 850 a month and with my other outgoings I’m only left with 205 a month for everything else including petrol, food, savings, socialising, MOT. There’s just me. I work in an industry where you can’t have overtime or work any extra hours.

I’ve got my bills down to as little as I can. I’ve asked for WFH days, I’m using my brothers Netflix! I’ve changed phone contracts to a sim only. I’m eating super noodles a lot for most meals and I’ve not put the heating on once, despite being bitterly cold.

Anyways, I’ve started working as a chat operator psychic. It gives me an extra 250/300 a month for 3 hours a night . I don’t pretend to talk to the dead as such, but I do pretend to read tarot (mostly getting it from online). I also refuse to talk about medical things so It’s essentially just giving relationship advice (90% of my questions are relationship based)

I did look for evening jobs in my area but there weren’t any and this seemed easy as I can do it from home.

I feel such guilt though that I’m considering quitting, however I really need the money. I’m about to log on now and am feeling that moral sinking dread.

Maybe I'm a horrible person but meh, I don't think you're a bad person. To be honest more fool the people using an online service like that, they are probably happy to hear whatever it is you are telling them. I think if you were pretending to connect to dead relatives then there would be an issue but otherwise 🤷‍♀️

thank you! I wouldn’t pretend to be in contact with dead relatives as feel that’s just a step to far.

Its more a “Are me and Dave going to get back together?”

I wouldn't feel too bad about it. It's not the best but it's certainly not the worst. Without sounding like a dick I'm sure the people who ring up are comforted by what you say and they obviously have some misguided belief that your word is true. If they honestly think that a phone line will offer them the answers they need then more fool them.

Honestly, you're not doing anything wrong. You're not giving life altering medical advice or telling people things they can't work out themselves. It's the same as if they'd asked a friend relationship advice. Anyone who is coming to you isn't expecting you to tell them their future, and ALL tarot card readers are bullshitters. More fool anyone who believes that they're real. You're doing exactly the same as every other "psychic" out there and providing a service. It's much the same as gambling. People are coming to you looking for the thrill of the experience, which they're getting. Don't feel guilty. It's a tough old world out there right now.

I think it is ok.

It's in everyone's interests that the type of people who believe in this stuff are parted from their money: they might do something dangerous with it otherwise. In that sense you're doing a public good. A bit like taking a knife away from a toddler.

I think it's OK. You sound nice. I think you're offering a service. You're not forcing anyone.

Lots of jobs are immoral or unethical depending on your beliefs but people still do them, you're not the only one.

On 30k a year you should be taking home roughly 2k then factor in your £300 from your side job

your rent is £850 and with only £200 left over for living where is the other 1k going?

that is some serious debt!!!

So desperate people should have their money taken away from them? Probably a Tory voter 🙄

OP if it's mainly relationship advice, it's probably more like counselling you're doing. Although l would feel uncomfortable doing it too, you're desperate yourself, therefore needs must and all that.

Just don't lose that feeling, and treat those that call (and are desperate) with a bit of respect.

Most people that phone those lines just basically want somebody to talk to about themselves and their problems for a bit, no matter how you dress it up. As long as your advice isn't dangerous I think you're just doing what it takes to get through.

I actually have student loan, and masters which both come out plus pension. I actually take home 1800 per month.

The rest is following:

850- Mortgage
180- car loan
140- gas/electric
60- ground charge (I live in a new build)
70- car insurance
40- water
35- internet
10- sim only phone
97- council tax (with discount)
18- dvla car tax
40- credit card
12- tv licence
15- union fee
———————————
1567

So I have 233 exactly left over per month? I’m not sure how I could save even more? I don’t think my debts are ridiculous either. I need a decent car for work (I’m outreach) my car is a 2016 plate and due to be paid off next year. My credit card has 1200 balance from unexpected maintenance and I’m chipping away at that?

please let me know your suggestions if you have any?

That's a very helpful post. Well done you!

Think of it that you’re giving people the chance to make good life decisions! As long as you keep your advice to things like “your heart will lead you in the right direction”, “think what advice you would give a friend in the same situation” etc you might actually be helping people. If they’re ringing about relationships, chances are they’re having doubts, so advice of a “you deserve true happiness” or “you only have one life, so make the most of it” is probably appropriate.

Everyone knows these phone lines are just for floaty grasping at straws stuff, they know it’s a paid phone line with a paid employee at the other end. don’t feel bad.

can you take in a lodger? Or get a DBS check and do some baby sitting which hopefully will be more relaxing and more meaningful

Why don’t you actually learn to read tarot. The vast majority of tarot readers, know and admit it’s not a psychic tool. The use it as a prompt.

The idea is that during the session the cards will guide the person receiving the reading in the direction they l want to go anyway. The idea being that you already know the answer yourself. You just need a push to get to answer yourself. During the conversation they pick up on a lot of your feelings and thoughts.

It’s why many don’t answer medical questions or ‘will I win the lottery type?’

You can pick up tarot cards really cheap and they usually come with book.

Would that make you feel better? If you were actually doing it?

Hiya,

I’ve actually got a tarot book and I am learning (Albeit very slowly)

it’s actually contractual, you get fired if you talk about money or illness especially pregnancy

You’re doing a job that is legal. Not like you’re dealing weed on the side. I wouldn’t feel guilty about it to the point I’m off to google these jobs. Been looking for a flexi wfh job that doesn’t involve mlm scams.

It’s not a big saving. Do you really need the tv license? You mention nextflix which doesn’t need one. Nor do the other gazillions streaming and catch up channels (apart from iplayer)

Car insurance seems high. If it’s coming up for renewal shop around and get some Cashback from Quidco. Get some free cash from there as well - got some free just for doing an add to email list for lookaftermybills.

Might also be worth doing an energy comparison as well. You’re paying more than me tbh and I do have the heating on a lot due to health issues and have an OCD teen living here who will have a couple of showers a day when he can. Also on the expensive prepayment rate. And rarely sleep hence still awake now.

If you have space/can bear it consider and look into getting yourself a lodger. I did this on a weekday basis, and they would return to their home at the weekends and other none working days.

So you are making strides to learn.

So you are giving people what they ask for?

There’s no need to feel guilty. I know tons of tarot readers. Non claim they are actually psychic. They are really clear about it. Some have done paid readings (although on the cheap) all through learning.

People are getting what they pay for.

when your car/house insurance is due instead of paying monthly at a crazy high interest rAte get a 0% credit card to pay for it and then pay that off monthly

There are more 'normal' jobs tgat people should feel bad about!

@LLadyJaneAmber where did you find this job please, could you send me the details as I'd be interested in doing it

Hi
Water
Internet and car insurance seen high.
Nothing wrong with the job btw.

What a disgusting thing to do. You ought to be ashamed.

Gross.