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Another debt/spending/gambling confession, support welcomed :-)

youknowwho
youknowwho Posts: 259 Forumite
in Debt-free wannabe
Hi all,

Been here for about 6 years and was always in control of finances (to a degree!)

Currently I owe around 3.5k between CC's. 25, employed. I have absolutely no savings and am trying to pay these damn things off!

No one knows my financial situation and I would rather not tell anyone I know, but feel I need to be held accountable to someone - that's where you all come in! I know exactly why I am not getting out of debt and its because at the end of the month, when I have a few hundred spare I blow it on online gambling, then chase the loss, and start the new month on a minus - while my 3.5k debt has only been increasing! I do not directly get myself into debt by gambling, but the fact I spent £400 of my wages in dec online, then my car needed a new part (£250) I had to put it on the credit card as I had no spare money... I purposely even spent all my savings on a nice car last year so I didn't gamble the money away and I would have something to show for it!

I have worked very hard in the last few years to get a good career, which started last year and I want to achieve my dream job this year (just need to buy a GCSE Maths and get a B (another expense, but worth the 15k payrise I would get if I got the job!) I have also become a lot fitter and lighter (bit more to go) and I am part way through a Spanish GCSE which was a goal of 2 years ago. infact, I'm very pleased I have achieved what I have in the last 2 years, I just need to sort this last bit out!
Anyhow - Posting this is the furthest I have come to trying to sort money stuff out and will be here for the rest of the year at least. Hopefuly on Jan 3 2014 I can re-post this with 0 debts, got the B i needed and have learnt to stop blowing my cash on online gambling!
Halifax CC [STRIKE]£1322.88[/STRIKE] £0 :j 11.9% Virgin CC [STRIKE]£1534.76[/STRIKE] £1384.76 0% until AUG 13. Grant over payment [STRIKE]£166.66[/STRIKE] £0 :j DFD 31 JUL 13 #102 :beer:
Weight[STRIKE] 164lbs[/STRIKE] :mad: 05 May 164lbs :)Target 146lbs by 30 JUN 13

Happiness is a way of life not a destination.:j
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Comments

  • R_P_W
    R_P_W Posts: 1,507 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    I 15k payrise for getting a GCSE in Maths?

    I think you need to get some professional help with the gambling issue.

    If you have debts then you don't have any 'spare' money at the end of the month - any surplus you should put towards paying your debt early.
  • Tiglath
    Tiglath Posts: 3,816 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    Can you somehow manage to lock yourself out of online gambling sites if they're too much of a temptation? Get some kind of filtering software so you can't get to them?
    "Save £12k in 2019" #120 - £100,699.57/£100,000
  • youknowwho
    youknowwho Posts: 259 Forumite
    The B in Maths means I would be eligible to apply for the Job. 15k payrise sounds a lot but I am only on a small salary currently.

    I'm in the process of looking online etc for help.
    Halifax CC [STRIKE]£1322.88[/STRIKE] £0 :j 11.9% Virgin CC [STRIKE]£1534.76[/STRIKE] £1384.76 0% until AUG 13. Grant over payment [STRIKE]£166.66[/STRIKE] £0 :j DFD 31 JUL 13 #102 :beer:
    Weight[STRIKE] 164lbs[/STRIKE] :mad: 05 May 164lbs :)Target 146lbs by 30 JUN 13

    Happiness is a way of life not a destination.:j
  • youknowwho
    youknowwho Posts: 259 Forumite
    Tiglath wrote: »
    Can you somehow manage to lock yourself out of online gambling sites if they're too much of a temptation? Get some kind of filtering software so you can't get to them?

    Thanks - I didn't know you could do that?

    I have asked 2 of the sites to cancel my account, they have, but they say it only takes an email to re-open them! Temptation I don't need! I am frustrated with myself that I do it.
    Halifax CC [STRIKE]£1322.88[/STRIKE] £0 :j 11.9% Virgin CC [STRIKE]£1534.76[/STRIKE] £1384.76 0% until AUG 13. Grant over payment [STRIKE]£166.66[/STRIKE] £0 :j DFD 31 JUL 13 #102 :beer:
    Weight[STRIKE] 164lbs[/STRIKE] :mad: 05 May 164lbs :)Target 146lbs by 30 JUN 13

    Happiness is a way of life not a destination.:j
  • Tiglath
    Tiglath Posts: 3,816 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    I don't know if you can - I was just speculating. I too think you'd be best getting some professional help with the gambling such as Gamblers Anonymous.
    "Save £12k in 2019" #120 - £100,699.57/£100,000
  • CH27
    CH27 Posts: 5,531 Forumite
    Get some professional help with the gambling.

    Pay off the credit card that charges the highest interest ASAP & cut it up.
    Then work on reducing the other.

    Close your accounts with the online sites.
    Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.
  • pogg000
    pogg000 Posts: 587 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    I have just bumped a thread for gambling support in the dept free diaries.

    Might be worth a read for you and advise about blocking software on there too.


    Good luck
    lbm 11/06/12 dept total 11499.47
  • youknowwho
    youknowwho Posts: 259 Forumite
    i think I might put them in the freezer....and scratch off the security number on the back!
    Halifax CC [STRIKE]£1322.88[/STRIKE] £0 :j 11.9% Virgin CC [STRIKE]£1534.76[/STRIKE] £1384.76 0% until AUG 13. Grant over payment [STRIKE]£166.66[/STRIKE] £0 :j DFD 31 JUL 13 #102 :beer:
    Weight[STRIKE] 164lbs[/STRIKE] :mad: 05 May 164lbs :)Target 146lbs by 30 JUN 13

    Happiness is a way of life not a destination.:j
  • wigan_rl_till_i_die
    wigan_rl_till_i_die Posts: 857 Forumite
    First Post
    http://www.gamblock.com/index.html

    Dont know if this link is allowed but it worked with my friend
    2010 Super League Grand Final Winners :beer:
  • harrys_dad
    harrys_dad Posts: 1,997 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Well done for having goals, and I hope you can achieve them. The advice above is correct, it is not "spare" money you are gambling away at the end of each month it is money that should be used to pay down your debts. 3.5k paid off at £400 a month is all gone well before the end of 2013!

    You know that the key is to stop gambling, online and elsewhere. Some really good advice further up the thread and we are all here to support you.

    Did you pass your Maths?
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