Morning All,
So i am back, in an even worse state then i was when i posted over 5 years ago. However i have taken reponsibility for the mountain of debt i have run up from Gambling. Like many I was chasing a win that let's be honest wasn't ever going to come, thinking in my head that i would have 1 big win to clear my debts. My advice to anyone else in the same mind frame is to just stop and be honest with yourself, i ended up speaking to Stepchange who quite honestly have saved my life. They don't judge you and are really there to help. I now have a DMP set up to clear the debts which in 5 years time will be completely done. Yes creditors for the first month will send you letters, the odd phone call or text but if you are open and honest from the outset with the creditors then they will back off.
Step change have taken care of it all and i can now turn my attention to over coming my battle with Gambling. As i sit here today i havent gambled since the 1st May which doesnt sound much but when i was gambling daily wether it be on my phone (online casino) or on my lunch break racing into town to get to the bookies, betting crazy money on the dogs whilst spinning £50 spins on the roulette machine. Walking out either high as a kite because i got lucky or mostly walking away losing a months wages in one sitting, whilst sitting in the bookies applying for all sorts of credit in the form of stupid pay day loans or credit cards. you name it i got it.
Unfortunately for me it took until i had hit rock bottom for me to admit defeat at which point my financial position was in a state of ruins.. my monthly wages would be swallowed up by repayments on just about every credit you could imagine. Meaning i turned to my mrs or family for money i knew i couldnt pay back - prompting me to guess what.... gamble!
Having set up my DMP with Step change i can honestly say it really has changed my life for the better and i would advise anyone in a similar position to me to do the same. Yes it will affect your credit score for a while but guess what, mine was completely in tatters anyway! Also it's nice that even if i wanted i couldnt actually get any credit which if im honest with myself is a good thing.
Long and short is i am on the long road to recovery, don't beat yourself up, dont feel ashamed and just hide away from it. Speak to someone you can trust or Stepchange and take that first step today! It really has improved my life.
Hope i have helped in some sort of way 🙂
Good luck all
I too have just come clean. I am so frightened. Waiting docs from stepchange. So frightened of threats from banks etc
Ditto James. 100% Ditto.
I dont comment much on others dairies. But I have read your first post and needed too.
I like yourself am in a lot of debt. And indeed the amounts is not really the point. Yes you are in more debt then me. But its depends what you earn. Myself i am in a lot of debt for my income.
Regardless of the figure you earn I am sure you will agree gambling will take it all.
I was exactly like you before I quit. Ten years of gambling. And it wasn't until my finances where a complete mess that I stopped. I had too. I had payment agreements and still do with my creditors. My credit rating is shot. And like you I am glad of this in away. I was tired of being able to get loads of credit and blow it in a heartbeat!
Once again like yourself i kidded myself in thinking the big win was round the corner. I gambled more. And had some of the biggest bets in my life. £450 spins on roulette. I can remember hitting the turbo button on the game too. Thousands literally gone in seconds. And in addition i am earning £12 per hour. Which is decent but i certainly cant afford spins like that on roulette.
Anyway I am sorry this aint brief. But I just wanted to say its been four month for me since I gambled. And I have cleared quite a bit off my debt. I heard so many people say it will get better, but i didnt see how it could. Have a read of my diary if you get the chance. I hope it helps with showing that the pain of the debt does get better in time .
All the best split
Hi James,
I think Stepchange are brilliant - really enabled me to take back control of my finances. It also prevents me getting credit which is helpful in abstaining from gambling. Hope things are continuing to go well for you.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
