Gambling....

swanson10

Hi Guys,


I am a 18 year old male with an enjoyable and progressive job. I earn quite good money for my age and with only a car to pay for along with petrol etc, around 80% of my monthly income is disposable.


However, I have a real problem with online gambling, particularly whilst under the influence of alcohol.


In recent months, I would estimate my levels of gambling to have reached around £3,000, which has left me in around £1,000 worth of debt. Whilst I can easily pay this off in the next few months via excluding myself from going out, taking lunches into work etc. I would like some advise as to how to control my finances a little better, this comment might create some groans but I really struggle to turn down nights out with friends, especially after a long week in the office!


I have spoken to my Dad regarding my worries, and whilst he will offer support, I don't want to burden him with my own problems - I should be heading towards independence and not the other way round!


For the time being, I have knocked the gambling on the head due to obvious losses though I fear I will return to this horrible addiction when I am back "in the green".


One year ago, I never thought an addiction could be forged from the odd £2 accumulator every weekend.


Any advice on how to get out of this spiral is hugely appreciated. I hope to be heading in the right direction - house savings, car upgrade etc. and not the other way round!


Thanks

Silk

swanson10 wrote: »

Any advice on how to get out of this spiral is hugely appreciated. I hope to be heading in the right direction - house savings, car upgrade etc. and not the other way round!

Get in touch with http://www.gamcare.org.uk/


They will give you lots of support and advice, have a look round the website

Muhren

From my experience and others who attend GA it is invetitable that you will return to gambling. My advice to you is to nip it in the bud before it gets any worse. You might not like what I have to say but you need to stop before this becomes a real problem and believe me this addiction will hit you a lot harder than it already has.

I use a program called k9 that blocks all gambling sites on my laptop and I would strongly reccommend that you do this. Get your dad to put the password in so that you can not access any sites when you feel vulnerable. Only carry money that you need for the day with you so that you can't just pop into a bookies and also get someone to look after your card. You can phone your network provided to block over 18 sites so that you can not gamble on your phone. I told my mates about my problem(far too late though) and tell them not to lend you money, or at least not large sums that you could use to gamble with.

This all might seem rather drastic, as it did to me at first but you really don't want to end up going the way I did. I was always very good with money and had my own house a nice car and savings in the bank. I am now living back at home and repaying massive debts that built up in about 9 months soley from gambling.

All the best with getting your finances sorted and back on track.

Tryingtomoveout

Hi

It's very promising that you are asking for help now, and now is absolutely the time you must act.

I know from experience that usually you have to hit rock bottom and be in massive debt before you turn your life around..but you can do it now

Download betfilter on your computer...it costs about 40 pounds a year but is nearly impossible to remove. You need to find some new ways to unwind...

Levi-

As others have mentioned, compulsive gambling is is a very rapidly progressive and devastating illness and it's good that you have taken some steps to stop while you are still in the very early stages. You have to refrain from going back to it under any circumstances really as it is a foregone conclusion that if you do, your addiction to it will worsen and worsen and you will eventually reach a point of no return. Take the advice on the software and fill your time with something else - anything else - than that godawful merciless pursuit.

[Deleted User]

swanson10 wrote: »

Hi Guys,


I am a 18 year old male with an enjoyable and progressive job.

Thanks

This is what you need to hang onto, forgive me whilst I don't join the pity party

Addictions ruin's lives, be thankful it clearly hasn't yours

battyboimatt

Also self exclude all sites let you do this and can be for 6 months to a year, this will take away the temptation when your drunk as they wont let you play.

swanson10

Hi All,

Thanks for your comments and help, it is really appreciated and something I will look into regarding self exclusion etc.


With regards to going forward, can anyone offer any advise regarding clearing my small debts. Should I make a real conscious effort to get this total cleared in the next couple of months or should I draw out repayments to a hundred pounds or so each month for the next 12 months etc.


I figured out that there are many small things I could do and save as much as £3-400 every month. Examples are unnecessary journeys (£50 petrol), take lunches into work (£100).


I really have the urge to apply for a part time job at a local pub, but keep reminding myself that working weekends and/or late nights on top of a 40 hour week may become too much; does anyone have any thoughts on this?


Thanks

lee111s

Some online bookies will allow you to self ban your account for 1,3,6 or 12 months.

I suggest you cancel all of your accounts, delete the apps from your phone and seek some help from one of the gambling help organisations.

Levi-

Don't burn yourself out - your debt is relatively small - is it on credit card or overdraft or what? If poss, I'd put it all on a 0% credit card (balance transfer) and pay it off in monthly stages but have a fixed amount that you pay toward it every month that still gives you a quality of life, but will commit you to clearing it before the 0% period ends. If its overdraft then look for a super balance transfer card that will let you do the same but with cash to your bank account.
Obviously like you say there are always other cost cutting things in evry day life - if you make unnecessary journeys then that is a no-brainer regarding petrol, but at the same time, do not rob yourself of quality of life as that is likely to make you turn to destructive habits again - cut down on booze too if you can, your body and bank account will thank yoU!:).

Minx1986

swanson10 wrote: »

I figured out that there are many small things I could do and save as much as £3-400 every month. Examples are unnecessary journeys (£50 petrol), take lunches into work (£100).

If I were you, I'd count yourself lucky that you don't pay rent, bills etc. Pay your debts with that money, and then aim for something you want. Like your own place. Once you've saved a deposit, brought somewhere with a decent mortgage, you can kiss goodbye to having any money spare to gamble!