New around here.....and an attempt at a diary!!

bank_of_slate

Hi Dan, Happy New Year.

Who is your IVA arranged through?

Also if you feel a gambling weakness why not try entering competitions for free instead? Theres a competitions board on this site, I've won quite a few things by doing that
...Linda xx

GeorgeUK

Hi Dan, just wonder how you're doing.
Hope you're still on the straight and narrow and making a nice big dent on those debt.

take care
George

DebtFreeDan

Hi there

Just thought I'd pop in and update my situation, sorry it's been a while!

The good stuff:
1. Not missed an IVA payment and over half-way through now, the finish line seems a bit nearer anyway
2. Paid off my mate last year, who I owed over £1500 to!
3. Improved my position at work and now earn a bit more each month (ok, the IVA get 50% but I'm still more comfortable than I was) :T
4. Moved out of my old shared house into a new place which is nearer work and less expensive to live in

The not-so good stuff:
1. I still gamble. After stopping between Dec 08 and March 09 I have realised I'll never give up completely because in all honesty it's something I enjoy doing and I get depressed if I don't have a bet at weekends. I just need to be careful and not let it ruin my life...

I can't think of anything else at this point, but life is good! :T

Dan

DebtFreeDan

A monthly update to change the old signature and it feels good to be below the 9k barrier now.

Not much to live off this month, bought some train tickets to London to see an old mate at the end of the month so at least something to look forwards to.
Also, got a speeding fine so I'm going to send that back at the end of the month so I won't have to fork out for that till next month!!

Lost a bit last month on the old betting etc... Need to curb it this month if I'm going to survive.

Bye for now.

Dan

GeorgeUK

Hi Dan, how's that not betting coming along?

I'm still winning - not gambling at all

Hope you enjoyed your trip - let us know how you're doing.

DebtFreeDan

October update, just back from my mate's down in London, had a great time - plus he treated me, not only to the concert tickets but also to a decent meal as well! One day I'll return the favour!
Got enough to last the week till payday which is good for once! Just updated the signature which shows I'm now 55% of the way through my IVA which feels good as well!
Bad news, St Minver stopped doing their free scratch cards so no more free money! Shame, but think I must've taken £120 from their site overall so can't complain!

George, I've still not managed to curb the betting mate. I've gone through my entire bank statements this year (2010) and done all the pluses and minuses from the sites I use. The overall sum does not look good but it helps to put things in perspective. I've done a graph to show how much I've lost this year and this has to help me try and stop for good. It's not really getting anywhere so need to find a new hobby!! So in answer to your question the trip was GREAT! I'm glad you're still 'winning' mate your amount owed has come down drastically!!

Not long till pay day and a new signature update, shame I have to fork out £60 for a speeding fine next week though

Dan

DebtFreeDan

Ok it's that time where I update my signature: see below, next month I'll be below the 8k owed stage which will feel really good!

Right then, the Bad news is I have to pay £60 for a speeding fine this month

The Good news is, I got a pay rise!! - Ok, so the IVA get 50% of any extra income from now on, but hey, it's still a decent rise for once, and there is still a chance of a bonus next month as well. It's all good so time to get that Money Saved amount up and running. I'm going to attempt to save £50 a month from now on. It'll be tough, but I can do it, starting this month!

Cheers

Dan

DebtFreeDan

Ok I'm supposed to be updating this every month but seem to have forgotten last month.

So what has happened in December? Well, more good news, not only did I get a pay rise in November, but I also got a decent bonus - half of this went across to the IVA guys but the amount I was left with meant I could have a decent Xmas for once and also save £150!

I have joined JackpotJoy through TopCashback which meant a £15.15 gain the TCB account providing I wagered £10 with JPJ.

During January I took advantage of their 'spend 1p and we'll give you a £1 every day for ten days' (even though it was only 9!) and also played their free daily game which generates free spins on the fruit machines. Currently I have £9.93 worth of free money with JPJ and I am hoping to get this up to at least £50 by the end of 2011. I am glad JPJ came along as I WAS playing the free daily scratch cards on Littlewoods who are now not providing this game that was "earning me" £40-£50 a year!

I now plan to take advantage of free bet offers laying the initial free stakes off against Betfair- inspired by Donglemouse - Watch this space!

TCB +£15.15
JPJ +£9.93
Matched Bets +£0.00
Savings +£150.00

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

DebtFreeDan

Quick update...

Joined JAXX through TopCashBack and spent £25 to gain cash back of +£25.25. The £25 was offset on BF for a loss of £1.83 overall.

Joined Sporting Bet and took advantage of their free £50 bet offer for new customers. Spent the £50 on a football match @ 1.90 and laid on BF @ 1.96 for a loss of £2.70 overall

Spent the free £50 on a horse @ 6.5 and laid on BF for 6.6 to win £39.93

Won 5p at JPJ!

TCB +£40.40 (still pending)
JPJ +£9.98
Matched Bets +£39.93
Offsets -£4.53
TOTAL RISK FREE EARNINGS: £85.78

GeorgeUK

Hi Dan

Glad to see that even if you haven't stopped gambling, you are at least being smart about what you do.
Hope the debt is coming down nice and fast now. Is it another 2 years you have left?

Good to see you again mate.