Cripplng gambling debt, no idea where to make savings

IrishSean

OP, those are useful work ideas.
My reason for suggesting 2nd job in the interim was 3 fold; a chance for you to broaden social contact, extra income towards debt and a time-filler to keep away from gambling temptations. 
I used to bunk off an office job to sit in a bookies; it's a bad place to spend time for us, lol.

I don't know regional job opportunities but even in the midst of this s-storm there still seems to be casual work.

I have to agreed with Onwards: you shouldn't be paying for debt advice when there are at least 3 main FREE charities, never mind local advice agencies & charities.

At risk of sounding contradictory, your overall debts are very high as a proportion of your main income; advice might be that your options are limited. That aside the more you feel in control and make positive things happen from now, the better it will get.

My one big help 3 years ago was believing I could get 0% balance transfer, as advised on this site, on very limited income and it happened. Changed times now I know, but with good, free advice and right approach no reason you can't bounce back.

GL💪

[Deleted User]

Abandon said:

Thanks all. I've taken the advice on board and applied for local fruit picking and supermarket work. It's wait and see time now. 

I've also spoken provisionally to a company about turning all this into one affordable monthly payment. They are going to phone me back. Not sure about that one, will look very carefully at APR. 

What's the name of this company and are you sure it's a loan they are trying to sell you and not a Debt Management Plan which you could set up for free yourself or through a debt charity?

Abandon

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Abandon said:

Thanks all. I've taken the advice on board and applied for local fruit picking and supermarket work. It's wait and see time now. 

I've also spoken provisionally to a company about turning all this into one affordable monthly payment. They are going to phone me back. Not sure about that one, will look very carefully at APR. 

What's the name of this company and are you sure it's a loan they are trying to sell you and not a Debt Management Plan which you could set up for free yourself or through a debt charity?

Hi, it's nationaldebtadvice.uk I was googling around for solutions and filled in a form. Someone phoned me back but it wasn't a good time so just spoke for five mins, they are phoning again later. 

[Deleted User]

Abandon said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Abandon said:

Thanks all. I've taken the advice on board and applied for local fruit picking and supermarket work. It's wait and see time now. 

I've also spoken provisionally to a company about turning all this into one affordable monthly payment. They are going to phone me back. Not sure about that one, will look very carefully at APR. 

What's the name of this company and are you sure it's a loan they are trying to sell you and not a Debt Management Plan which you could set up for free yourself or through a debt charity?

Hi, it's nationaldebtadvice.uk I was googling around for solutions and filled in a form. Someone phoned me back but it wasn't a good time so just spoke for five mins, they are phoning again later. 

National Debt Advice UK are not selling loans.  They are selling debt solutions.  In your shoes I'd be swerving their calls and contacting one of the debt charities; CAP UK, National Debtline and Step Change.

cymruchris

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Abandon said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Abandon said:

Thanks all. I've taken the advice on board and applied for local fruit picking and supermarket work. It's wait and see time now. 

I've also spoken provisionally to a company about turning all this into one affordable monthly payment. They are going to phone me back. Not sure about that one, will look very carefully at APR. 

What's the name of this company and are you sure it's a loan they are trying to sell you and not a Debt Management Plan which you could set up for free yourself or through a debt charity?

Hi, it's nationaldebtadvice.uk I was googling around for solutions and filled in a form. Someone phoned me back but it wasn't a good time so just spoke for five mins, they are phoning again later. 

National Debt Advice UK are not selling loans.  They are selling debt solutions.  In your shoes I'd be swerving their calls and contacting one of the debt charities; CAP UK, National Debtline and Step Change.

Agreed - don't pay for a commercial debt management service - get in touch with one of these above for discussions on best first steps to take.

onwards&upwards

Hey OP, how’s it going?  I’m rooting for you, have you made any progress in reducing the gambling?

IrishSean

Ditto

Plz post, OP

Abandon

Hi, thanks for asking. I've not gambled although I've been tempted. The lockdown is helping in that regard as there is a lot to bet on! 

As regards the debt, my dad and I have had a major falling out, as he asked his brother (my uncle) to help me, and who went berserk at me for being so frivolous. My uncle is a very successful businessman. He has said he will deal with the debt for now but I have to pay him back £300 a month. I'm quite uncomfortable with this.

My dad also has been reading up on debt and is now worried I get a County Court judgement, that would be too much for my mother to see, none of our family have had as much as a speeding ticket before :-(

onwards&upwards

I'm really glad to hear that you've not gambled, that's fantastic progress! 

Remember, you are an adult, other members of your family can only be as involved as you allow them to be.  You are under no obligation to tell your uncle anything. 

I'm willing to bet there are people in your family who have been less than perfect, they've probably just kept it to themselves!

Willing2Learn

Abandon said:

My uncle is a very successful businessman. He has said he will deal with the debt for now but I have to pay him back £300 a month. I'm quite uncomfortable with this.

What's the oldest account that you have defaulted with? When was that account opened?