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Redemption - The journey of a recovering gambling addict.
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+1 here for leaving the mortgage overpayment till your debt is cleared. The 0% won't last forever. There's still a fee for balance transfering and credit applications. There's no guarantee either you'll get one with a decent limit.
Attack the cc like your life depends on it.
The financial wealth building journey.
Busting this debt before 40. Started in August 2024 with debt = £19,966. August 1st 2025 debt = £0 and busted!
Debt free dairy https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6547320/busting-this-debt-before-40/p1
Savings goals by 31st December 2025;
Emergency Fund: £3,445 / £4000
SIPP: £3,932 / £4000
S&S ISA: £637 / £1000
“Save me now and I’ll save you later” - Your money
I eat far too much chocolate...1 -
My approach is credit cards, emergency fund, Sinking funds for annual expenses, 1 month ahead, then overpay mortgage. Though that also depends on how secure your job is and what sick pay is like. For me if I went long term sick I'd get 6 maths full pay then 6 months half pay, which is why I want to get only one month ahead. If you don't have job security I'd consider having 6 months minimum budget saved. I.e what's least you could live on a month if you cut back and only paid bills and minimum spends.
But you have to decide what the best approach is for you and you feel most happy with.*Dad loan - £5300 - £7200
*Virgin Credit Card - £3552.50 - £0
*Natwest - £1828.35 -£0.00
Barclaycard - £2315.25 - £0.00
Creation Finance - £960.32 £840
*Total debt - £8040/£11641.17*
Savings
*Savings Buffer - £100/£1500
*Emergency Fund - £1500/£1500
New diary- https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6474943/the-three-cs-coffee-clothes-credit-cards/1 -
Gambling triggers are incredibly high at the moment.
Not in the greatest of places, however had a group session today and an early night planned.
Updated for reference for myself, as I am committed to beating this illness.
LG
Gambling Addict - Acting now before it's too late. Gambling losses well over 25k.Current Situation Started Posting in Apil 24:Unsecured Personal Debt - July 2025Natwest CC 0% - £3000 (Cleared November 2024)
Lloyds CC 0% £4500 - £900
Barclaycard CC 0% £12,567 - £7700
11/6/24 - 17 MonthsGamble Free - Longest in years. Gambling is an illness. Seek help. It is not worth your life.2 -
well done for recognising the triggers and seeking support. You’re doing brilliantly.Mortgage at 01.01.14 £119,481.83:eek: today £0 Emergency fund £5.5/5.5k & £200/200 cash.:jWeight 24/02/19 14st 7lb now 12st determined to stop defining myself by my mistakes. Progress not perfection.:T100%through my 1% mortgage challenge. 100% through my pb challenge.1
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you are doing amazing, reaching out and seeing those triggers and more importantly resisting the urge is a huge thing. Keep going1
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keep strong. one day at a time looking forwards but 6 months without weakness behind youI think I saw you in an ice cream parlour
Drinking milk shakes, cold and long
Smiling and waving and looking so fine1 -
This is part of recovery. Times when it feels really hard are normal and an expected part of this journey. Finding it hard and having to take it one minute at a time to let the craving pass are what most people go through to recover long term. Distract yourself, lean on the supportive network you have been building, practice the coping skills you have learnt. This is normal, and you can get through it one moment at a time.Save £12k in 2025 #33 £2531.77/£5000 (If this carries on I might have to up my target!)
April take lunch to work goal - 3 of 124 -
Gambling addiction is awful.Thankfully I have not had a gamble and I am taking my recovery a day at a time.So busy with the kids at the minute.Payday and should be able to allocate £500 to debt this month with a few Facebook sales and a slight bonus this month.Son smashed my iPhone by accident . Thankfully I have Apple care + £25 to repair.Anyone tried the high protein ready meals from Aldi / Lidl? Look cheap and good macros
LGGambling Addict - Acting now before it's too late. Gambling losses well over 25k.Current Situation Started Posting in Apil 24:Unsecured Personal Debt - July 2025Natwest CC 0% - £3000 (Cleared November 2024)
Lloyds CC 0% £4500 - £900
Barclaycard CC 0% £12,567 - £7700
11/6/24 - 17 MonthsGamble Free - Longest in years. Gambling is an illness. Seek help. It is not worth your life.2 -
we find Lidl great value most of the time - some items not. We're not big into macro/number crunching but they do have good looking protein drinks so I imagine the ready meals will be OKI think I saw you in an ice cream parlour
Drinking milk shakes, cold and long
Smiling and waving and looking so fine0 -
I haven't tried them, but generally find most of their stuff pretty good!0
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