New mind, new me, better bank balance please

twirly09

Hi, I'm Becka, Im nearly 22 and a University student with a part time job bringing in just over £200 a month.

I've been here for ages, and also it feels like in debt for just as long! I'm a recovering gambling addict who is almost at 1 year since my last bet. (november 11th!).

My debt and life spiraled out of control last november, maxing out all my credit cards and overdrafts and ending up in some serious arrears! I've spent most of the year paying off these arrears and have only just started to make a dent in the debts.

I have just gone month to month paying off the minimum payments/more than the minimum if i could afford it and never paid attention to what the total of my debt was. I am in shock. I sat down today and worked it out and, well what a pointless waste of money. Its enough to turn me away from gambling forever, and now I am determined more than ever to pay this off, and as quickly as possible!!.

My current debts stand at : £1255.65

Halifax overdraft: £450
Natwest CC : £311.82
Aqua CC: £323.93
Capital 1 CC : £169.90

The minimum payments for the CC's will barely touch the debt, so I'm going to be paying double them each month. I have to go to halifax and arrange a way to pay back this overdraft. But yes, at the moment I just am shocked I mucked up so much to get into so much debt. BUT here I am, asking for help! and say, I will get myself out of this mess!

My first aim is to get to £1000 by Xmas if possible!

Anyway, I'm sure i'll be back soon - Tomorrow is Pay Day!

B

twirly09

Told my best friend about my debt today. I know i have her support helping me through.

Payday tomorrow - gonna make a first big dent hopefully

twirly09

Been making the first payments to my debt today. I am excited about next pay day just to make more payments. This will be good. the sooner the debt gets under £1000 the better i will feel.

lea_t88

Hi Twirly good luck and well done on almost a year since last bet, that's awesome!

JLS1901

Hello Becka, :wave:
I'm going to subscribe to your diary.. Well done for not gambling in a year and for telling your friend

Good luck on your journey xx

twirly09

Hello all, thank you for the posts. Sorry ive not been here for a month!! Havent really smashed into the debts, christmas is expensive! and uni books apprently.

But im here - back to it next friday when i get paid

beanielou

Happy shiney new diary
fantastic on almost a year without a bet :j

twirly09

Thank you! I havent bet since 11th November 2011!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
yesterday was day one on my weight loss, debt busting money thrifty 2013 and success so far, i spent £1.89 and that was on lunch at work soley because i didnt want to break the diet and have the free calorie filled food at work!.

I have a question for anyone who might be able to help, i want to make a spread sheet to track my spending in 2013 does anyone have a good layout?

I am studying for uni today, but tomorrow im going to sit down and look at my debts and make sure all payments are in order!.

happy new year!

twirly09

So, I havent really made much of an effort with this diary, nor my debts. Grrrr!, nor my diet... although i have lost 3lbs i think!!!

I realise that I waste money on things I dont need, for example I am sat here drinking a can of 7UP... which a... isnt in my diet and b.... i dont need!!!.

Looking forward to getting paid next week, working out the money i need for the month for everything (and then sticking to that budget whether it is hard or not!!) and then using the rest of the money against the debt. Next friday I should be able to have a total for my debt, although I worry it hasnt really changed . Oh well new year new attitude!!

Come april I want to be under £1000 in debt, I want to be 2st lighter, I want to work harder at uni and I want to still not be gambling

twirly09

I am looking forward to getting paid on friday, and sitting down budgeting for the month (i have some nights out planned as i dont get many weekends of work) then im going to pay my bills. and whatever is left will be get for emergancies until valentines day (day before my next pay date) in which on that day i will split it equally between my debts!.

I am back to uni soon, I need to find somewhere to live next year although I am seriously considering moving home and learning to drive I just dont know if I could cope at home, but at the same time I dont think I could cope in a noisy house full of people who just want to party! Nothing against my flatmates, the problem probably is that i like them too much and all i want to do is hang out with them instead of study!!!.

I am fed up of feeling rubbishy, and wish i had more money, I wish i stopped thinking of myself as a gambling addict, and more of a recovering gambling addict

anyways, I've got £27 in my purse which should be more than enough to see me through to friday

twirly09

I am so motivated to change my life at the moment. It is in a way stopping me spending un-necessary money!!.

I know by april if i am really really strict with myself I can pay off over a 1/3 of my debt. I have a uni bursary that comes in march and may and I am going to throw £500 of it at the debt. hoping to get rid of 2 of my credit cards by may, the third my student credit card I am making over the minimum payment already so as i clear the others I will start up-ing that payment but at the moment the amount owed is dropping about £5 each month whilst i throw most of my money at the other two

These are little rambles, but im writing as things come into my head. Thanks to anyone who reads