sick of these debts filling my head

Bluecloud

Hello, I started reading some of the diaries on this forum over the last few days and I've got so much inspiration from just reading them it has helped me to try and get to grips with my debts.
I've been so stupid racking up debts over the last few years and some of it because of developing a gambling habit. I realised, too late, that I was becoming addicted to online bingo sites and it was taking over my life. Thankfully, nobody but me knew about it. I am so ashamed about what I've done and I am going to get out of this debt, hopefully with the help of the lovely understanding people on this site. I have stopped the gambling, about 3 months ago. I gave myself a serious talking to and just stopped. It was hard but I've done it and now I'm going to tackle this debt and get rid of that. I can't even remember how the gambling started and it's so out of character for me but I'm putting that behind me now. I'm trying to keep positive and move on.

Just2Ashamed

You're not the only one bluecloud and you'll find lots of support here It's going to be tough but you'll get there. Have you completed a SOA to see if there are ways of making your budget more manageable? Do you have any support in real life? I've hidden my issues too, mainly due to shame, but it can be really helpful to have someone there to share the tough times xx

Bluecloud

Hi, Just2Ashamed. Thank you for replying to my post, so many lovely people on here and it’s really helping me to read through some of the diaries and not feel alone. I have a family, husband, kids, grandkids but there is no way I could tell them. They’d be shocked and I am so ashamed of myself for getting in to this mess. I’ve usually been the one to help my family to sort out any problems and I just can’t believe I have been so stupid but it’s up to me to sort it and hopefully with the help available on this site I will. I retired a few years ago so because I only have a low income there’s no point me applying for 0% credit cards to move debts around from one to the other because I wouldn’t get them. I used the debt remedy tool on Stepchange so that has helped me to focus a bit better on which card I need to tackle first so I’m just going to try and keep thinking positive and telling myself that I can sort it and hopefully I will.

spicefox

Please make any debt collection agencies aware of your anxiety regarding these debts, they should deal with you and your circumstances appropriately.

Also, a support network is a good idea and I can understand not wanting to share the information,but finances can be a difficult burden for just one persons shoulders.

Alternatively, talk to a debt advice charity such as step change, or pay plan.

On_my_way

One thing I often think of when a partner doesn't know about your debts is- how can they not know that you are overspending etc?!

byjimini

Hope it goes well for you.