My Debt Free Diary

iarniee

Hey Guys,

I'm 19 years old and have been a fairly addicted gambler. Gambling most of my wages and then taking out payday loans to actually survive for the month. I'm behind on my phone bill and owe £120 as it's been suspended.

My mum found out last week and has sat me down to go through what i was spending, how much i get in etc.

She's bailing me out of this payday loan I defaulted on £170 and she's taking over my bank to hand me over money when i need it.

I also owe my sister £600 as she bailed me out of my overdraft 6 months back.


Here's my debts
Argos Card: £204.56
Payday Loan: £170
EE Bill: 121.56 - Now £60.52
Ebay Debt: £56.53
Vodafone Debt Collection: £280 - Now £170
Sister: £640

My mum is bailing me out of the payday loan and argos card so I will owe her the full amounts she pays. She would rather me owe her money than these money grabbing companies (her words)

I will be updating this thread daily (hopefully) I would appreciate all support and all your opinions and ideas to help me cope with this.

I'm going to be starting Gamblers Anonymous as of next tuesday so hopefully this will help me stay away.

Positively

I'm a newbie too so not confident to give too much advice but firstly well done on admitting that you have a problem with gambling, some people can spend years in denial so to actually recognise that you have an issue and talking to your mum is a) a massive first step and b) very brave, well done (and I mean that genuinely, I'm not being patronising). Behave you considered getting help for the addiction, I'm sure others will be able to recommend some good sources of help.

Secondly, consider filling in a SoA, a statement of affairs which lists all your i comings and outgoings so you can see where your priorities are, how much you have to work with etc, it can be really useful to see it all written down. Talk to your sister too and maybe arrange a monthly sum to pay her back?

Take heart you are not the first and won't be the last and whilst it seems massive and horrible at the moment, taking steps to address the issues will help you sleep better at night, you are young, it will get sorted out.

iarniee

Positively wrote: »

I'm a newbie too so not confident to give too much advice but firstly well done on admitting that you have a problem with gambling, some people can spend years in denial so to actually recognise that you have an issue and talking to your mum is a) a massive first step and b) very brave, well done (and I mean that genuinely, I'm not being patronising). Behave you considered getting help for the addiction, I'm sure others will be able to recommend some good sources of help.

Secondly, consider filling in a SoA, a statement of affairs which lists all your i comings and outgoings so you can see where your priorities are, how much you have to work with etc, it can be really useful to see it all written down. Talk to your sister too and maybe arrange a monthly sum to pay her back?

Take heart you are not the first and won't be the last and whilst it seems massive and horrible at the moment, taking steps to address the issues will help you sleep better at night, you are young, it will get sorted out.

Thank-you, you seem very genuine.

I am proud of myself and feel better today that someone else knows about it.

Luckily my sister is very understanding and has allowed me to start paying her back once I get on my feet.

I'm currently an apprentice so I work 40 hours a week but only get just under £120 a week to show for it.

I suppose It's good I made this mistake when I'm younger so therefore I know better and hopefully will be out this mess by the end of the year.

I know there are alot of people on here with much higher debts than mine but it just seems so horrifying when it's yourself in the position.

Thank-you again for your input.

iarniee

Had a very emotional week so far, admitted everything to my mum and she has been angry and upset but said she will support me.

Currently contacted the Loan Company and asked how much it would be to pay the debt of in full (awaiting response)

Clearing EE bill later today (phone will be reconnected)

Vodafone will be paid off by late April (touchwood)

I will be coming to an arrangement with my mum and sister on how much I am paying them back per month.

Feeling good about admitting it and getting it all sorted but also been very upset and emotional after reflecting on my idiotic mistakes.

iarniee

Day 2, paid my remaning EE bill off and been reconnected, mum is paying of £156 loan tonight and £201 Argos, so will owe her the money!

Feeling alot better today though.

beanielou

Great start

iarniee

Thank-you^

Day 3, £39.19 paid off my loan! Mum paying the rest off tonight.

She is also paying the Argos bill off!