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.

I don't think you're doing anything wrong OP, people choose to ring these lines and you're just giving relationship advice and trying to be a friendly voice.

I concur

I used to do it.

I didn’t tell many people but those I did were very angry. Mostly beicase they beloved it was real and people like me were faking it.

It’s because on the whole, if you are willing to spend lots of money calling a premium number for answers from a stranger, then you are usually desperate for help.

the ads make it clear that it’s entertainment purposes only.

@Thekormachameleon

Will PM you xx

What do people really want from your service? A chance to chat to an anonymous person about their concerns and be reassured or supported to make a change. You are offering that. Don't feel bad.

I'm sorry but I think it is morally wrong and exploitative. Many people who use these lines are vulnerable and in crisis, and go into debt using the psychic lines. But your gain is this loss eh?

I agree. Hence why I’m considering quitting, but I don’t think it’s any less exploitive than bingo sites or gambling or life coaches, or self help sessions that charge 60 for an hour.

More exploitative not less 🤦‍♀️ I’m v tired

Blimey, carry on OP. Nothing wrong at all in my book.

Better than being a chugger, at least you don't harass people.

I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong op, people will find some comfort in those calls so you’re helping them whether you believe in tarot or not

I’d love to see these lines banned so I do think you are unreasonable to work on one.

The majority of people who ring these lines are vulnerable in some way- even temporarily due to emotional upheaval and upset. They’re not calling to tell you how great their day went.

I’d see it as very similarly to gambling- they’re taking a chance on someone giving them good news.

You’re not qualified to give relationship advice to these people. You’re not a counselor. You don’t know what damage you could be doing for people who follow your advice.

And I do see these types of lines targeting poorer people. If someone is in a difficult position and has means, they get therapy. Poorer people are stuck dealing with charlatans spouting poor “advice” while doing their ironing.

It’s exploitative and you know it.

Personally, I wouldn’t do it but that’s from a perspective if not having to.

Article here with our old friend Samantha Brick as she discusses the psychic business in general -

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2325837/amp/Samantha-Brick-spent-25-000-fortune-tellers-dumping-friends-husband-say-psychics.html

Your water seems high- similar to what I pay for a 4 person house hold. You on a metre?

re: the hot lines, my friend lost 6k calling them, I was furious- but with her and the governing body that lets these companies operate. Not with people like you OP.

I’m in two minds, on one side you need to do what you need to do for money. On the other side I perceive you as a con artist. These lines are a scam. It’s not different to the scammers calling from India pretending to be from Amazon or your internet provider. It’s preying on the vulnerable

I do think it’d worse than gambling sites etc. it would be the same level of bad as them if you told people when they called you were conning them. At least gambling sites fo all the you can win and loose, gamble responsibly shit.

you on the other hand are conning these people into thinking you can see into their future. It’s a lose lose for all. You can’t afford to live so these people will suffer due to it. You and everyone else doing it .

They are allowed to operate on the basis that it’s clear it’s for Entertainment purposes.

I re watched one of Derren Browns programmes last night, Seance.

Now, he makes it clear that he does what he does to “prove” that there is no truth behind it. That he can manipulate people into thinking they are seeing/hearing things. That’s made clear at the start of the programme.

But still, thousands of people phoned into the phone line that was set up, saying they could “feel” the dead girl who had been contacted (who was very much alive and sitting in a trailer), and all sorts of nonsense.

It just shows that people need to believe in something, even when they are quite clearly told it’s for entertainment and therefore not real.

I don’t know where I am going with this, but people will always hunt out ways to part themselves with cash in the name of needing to believe in something.

Seriously stop with the low nutritional value food and buy lentils, rice, and veggies and eat them instead. It will cost similar because it will fill you up for longer and provide nutritional value.

Go and watch Elliot Scott on youtube and use his matter of fact advice which is actually really great and on the ball, and work that into your answers. Actually help people.

Are me and Dave getting back together? If you don't go running after him yes. Go out with someone name beginning with E and have three days of no contact with Dave, he will come back and if not it was never meant to be.

I think with your boundaries it's not the worst thing ever, even if not the most morally defensible thing you've ever done. You're not exploiting the ill or bereaved, just people who want some comfort after a breakup. If they're getting that after talking to you rather than a friend I think it's fair enough. Just keep your answers vague or slanted towards them being resilient and looking for their own comfort if you can, rather than providing solid 'yes/no' responses.

All sorts of individuals and organisations cater to people in distress or disarray without there being empirical evidence their guidance is helpful- religions, life coaches etc. People take comfort in it anyway.

See how it goes. If it keeps just being people wanting comfort after a breakup then fine, I think they themselves would accept they're clutching at straws. If you get a run of very vulnerable people, safeguarding worries, etc then have a rethink.

When is your car insurance/ tax up for renewal? Could you possibly pay annually and put this on a credit card as you can pay sometimes 20% more paying monthly. As long as you work out the cost of both combined and spread over 12 months then add that to your credit card monthly payments it maybe more manageable?

Things are tough atm and I understand the concern over your side job and if you should continue it. Is there any other job options you would consider if you feel worried/ guilty about it?

I don't think its OK. You're taking peoples money by lying, in other words you're scamming them.

No one is being scammed.

For example, go to Mystic Meg. Under the text a psychic, it very clearly says, “this is an entertainment service.”

No one is saying it’s real. If people think it is, well that’s their choice. But they all clearly state they are for entertainment.

It’s the same as problem thinking TOWIE is real when it states at the beginning that scence are made up for entertainment.

These people are seeking reassurance to be fair, what they want to hear. I really can't see it as all that bad. They want comfort, are paying for comfort, and are getting comfort.

So many typos, I am so tired.

Don't worry about it, you're not doing anything wrong. I think of far worse ways to make a few quid!