I totally understand the eating for emotional reasons. It sucks and isn't exactly physically healthy either. What makes it worse is trying to eat right and ignoring cravings. Sometimes that goes very wrong. I wouldn't rely on side effects of medication. I do recommend people try drinking water a little while before they eat to prevent overeating. Also, drinking more water is a good idea for most people (I carry around a bottle of water all the time).
If you are sitting around all the time, maybe find some hobbies that keep you active and busy, or find places to go that give you something to do. That might reduce how much you eat since you are distracted. It doesn't need to be anything big. I often enjoy going outside and looking at the plants and animals (and avoiding the mosquitos at this time of year). I also sometimes spend hours poking around libraries and used book stores.
I also have other things I do that bring a bunch of stuff together, like going out and looking for or growing plants, lots of research, calculation, planning, creativity (there is something I need to finish painting that I keep neglecting). Details on that are personal, so I prefer to discuss that in private, if at all, but you might be able to find similar things for yourself. Doing that stuff keeps me from eating for no reason, although I try to keep almonds or something with me to munch on so I don't get overly hungry. Carrots and stuff, too, like
@kuru mentioned.
I know this isn't a good or acceptable answer for most people, but just skip the furniture. I lived (alone) for years with almost no furniture. I think I had a futon and a folding chair...I used a trunk as a table. Other things were also multipurpose makeshift furniture. Milk crates can be used for a bunch of things, and you can stack them up.
A better answer might be too check out thrift stores or consignment shops for deals on furniture. Don't go the super cheap route or you may find you basically went for no furniture, but wasted money on stuff that didn't last. Depending on if you live with others and have guests, maybe just get a piece of furniture at a time instead of the set all at once. I am also fond of getting stuff I like even if it doesn't match. Maybe you can start with a good chair or recliner if it is just you.
I know it has been hot lately, but raising the temperature on your thermostat might save you a bit. We keep ours in the upper 70s during the summer. My comfort zone is the low 60s, which I get sometimes during the winter until others decide it is too cold. If it is cool outside, such as when it rains, or at night, open windows to keep cool. Also try unplugging anything that uses power except when you use it, or choose things that use less electricity, like a mechanical alarm clock, just remember to wind it.
Oh, and cold showers if you can handle it. I have spent extended periods in places with no hot water, however it had been years since I took regular cold showers. Lately I have been taking a lot of cold showers since I tried one a few weeks ago to cool off and found that not using any hot water was perfectly comfortable. I don't know if it will save much. I wish I could switch to a tankless water heater, although that will cost more in the short term, so probably won't work for either of us for now.
If you drive a lot, try to plan ahead so that you do everything you need to in an area at one time instead of making multiple trips throughout the week/month. If public transportation is a realistic and more affordable option, go with that. If you can walk or ride a bicycle where you need to go, even better (and healthier, and the environment and animals, etc.). Yes, I know gasoline prices are relatively low right now...
I probably have other suggestions I can make if I think about it later.
Never had any problems saving money. I don't understand what is so hard about it. Just spend money only on essentials.
I give myself an allowance every month for fun stuff but most of the time I do not even use all of that.
I am the same way when I am alone. My family has different standards. I lived in a townhouse for a few months (in Texas, during the summer) with no electricity. They have a hard time just trying to cut back on electricity use. I can live off of beans, eggs, and whatever is on sale. Others want the stuff they want.
Lately, whenever I save up my Pyra money something comes up, and I lose a chunk of it. Car or plumbing problems. Shit happens sometimes, and people need things. It is also easier to save money when I don't have to deal with others and their needs. Pet medical bills, for example (dog paw pad owwie, other dog torso spasms, cat ear hematoma, etc.). Saving money is easy, but it is hard, too.
