Manic Money

I wish there were special laws to protect bipolar people against falling into obvious debt traps. This week my bank offered to lend me £5,000 at 20% APR and I'm always being encouraged to take out credit cards.

Fortunately my parents keep a close eye on my finances and I chopped up my only credit card shortly after I realised I had impulsive spending tendencies.

However, people in a manic phrase are prone to making unwise financial decisions, sometimes leading themselves and their families into bankruptcy. I think banks and loan companies should protect people with mental health problems by at the very least, not sending them attractive marketing materials for loans.

Obviously it would be unacceptable if people with bipolar disorder weren't allowed credit at all but I would really appreciate it if there was some optional system I could subscribe to to protect myself, for example something that prevented me from borrowing and spending large amounts of money without a counter signature yet allowed me to continue with my day to day activities like shopping for food. Perhaps there is something like this, but if so, I've never heard about it.

What do others with bipolar disorder think?

Dreadful Dating Website Openers

Dear boys,

I understand that it can be difficult to start conversations with women on dating websites and that there are no hard and fast rules as to what will be effective. However here are a few pointers on what not to say:

- "Is your picture real or have you photoshopped it up?"
- "I really fancy you. cummon msg me PLEASE!"
- "i cant think of anything to say so you start"
- "I love arguing, it gets me through the day"
- "what a f*cking nice profile"
- "why haven't you replied. who said women aren't evil?"

If you're going to try and impress me with just one sentence, you could at least try and make it a good one.

Thanks,
x