Tag Archives: debt
How to Recover from Gambling and Debt
There are many reasons why people fall into the trap of bad debt and one of them is gambling addiction. Sadly, some may not realize the problem until there is no other solution left but to file for bankruptcy. True enough, what may start out as a hobby can turn into a harmful addiction which can bring great damage physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you find yourself struggling with gambling addiction, what can you do? Consider the following advice on how to get over gambling and bad debt:
Recognize the problem. At first, it may be hard to admit that there is a problem but recognizing the true cause of your bad credit situation is the only way you can work out a solution. Below are questions that you can ask yourself to recognize gambling addiction.
If you answer yes to these questions, you may have a gambling addiction and you should take a positive step quickly before things get worse.
Has gambling become a daily part of your routine?
Do you borrow money just to be able to gamble?
Do you find yourself using your cash on gambling instead of buying necessities or paying an important bill?
Do you get into fights with family members or friends because of your gambling habit?
Have you ever sold anything to support your gambling?
Do you feel like your day isnt complete until you have gambled?
Set your priorities. You need to set straight your priorities. If you have been behind your payments, you need to spend your money on the most important things. Do not use gambling as an excuse to pay your debts with your winnings. No one should depend on gambling to solve a debt problem as doing so can only worsen your bad debt situation.
Seek professional help. Since gambling addiction is a behavioural issue, seeking professional help is recommended. Instead of trying to solve the problem on your own, its best to get assistance from a trusted credit counselor or from organizations that offer rehabilitation help for people with gambling addiction.
Consolidating debts. For extreme cases of debt, acquiring a debt consolidation loan may be recommended. However, keep in mind that taking out a loan to pay your debts is only the first step. In order to completely be free from debts, you must be able to keep up with your repayment obligations to your debt consolidation company.
Your credit counselor may also advise you to enrol in DMP or Debt Management Program where you will submit payments to the agency who will distribute your payments to your creditors. Nevertheless, the success of this arrangement will still depend on how well you can keep up with your payments.
Expect challenges but be determined. Fighting the urge to gamble can prove to be a very challenging task but no matter how difficult it is, be determined to do what it takes to control your addiction. Focus on your job and other beneficial activities to keep your mind off from gambling.
Top 10 Lottery Horror Stories (Page 1 of 2)
Not very many people win the lottery, but of those who win, many lose all their winnings and end up with less money than before they won. Some winners were simply foolish, some were greedy, some had greedy relatives and friends, and some fell prey to thieves and crooks. Here are the stories of 10 people who won the lottery then lost it all.
1 Evelyn Adams
In 1985 AND 1986, Evelyn Adams won the lottery – equaling a total winning of $5.4 million. However, today – she has no money “Winning the lottery isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be,” says Evelyn Adams, who won the New Jersey lottery not just once, but twice (1985, 1986), to the tune of $5.4 million. Today the money is all gone and Adams lives in a trailer. She lost money in slot machines, and couldn’t seem to say no to relatives and friends. Evelyn’s big win ended in a big loss.
2 William Post
In 1988, William Post won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania lottery but now lives on his Social Security. Post’s former girlfriend sued him for a share of his winnings and one of his brothers was arrested for hiring a hit man to kill him, hoping to inherit a share of the winnings. His relationship with his other siblings was also strained and he spent some time in jail. Within a year, he was $1 million in debt and eventually declared bankruptcy. He now lives on only $450 a month and food stamps.
3 Suzanne Mullins
In 1993, Suzanne Mullins won $4.2 million in the Virginia lottery. Now she’s deeply in debt to a company that lent her money using the winnings as collateral. She borrowed $197,746.15 from this company, but eventually stopped making payments on the loan. She blamed the debt on the lengthy illness of her uninsured son-in-law, who needed $1 million for medical bills. Needless to say, her lottery win did not end in happiness.
4 Ken Proxmire Ken Proxmire won $1 million in the Michigan lottery. Within 5 years he filed for bankruptcy after moving to California and starting a car business with his brothers. He has now returned to his job as a machinist.
5 Willie Hurt
In 1989, Willie Hurt of Lansing, Mich., won $3.1 million. Only two years later he was broke and charged with murder after spending his fortune on a divorce and crack cocaine.
6 Janite Lee
In 1993, Janite lee of Missouri won $18 million. Lee was generous to a variety of causes, including various political organizations, education programs and the community services. According to published reports, eight years after winning, Lee had filed for bankruptcy with only $700 left.
7 Southeastern Family
In the early 1990s, a Southeastern family won $4.2 million. In almost no time at almost all of their winnings were spent on a huge house, cars, and various requests from family members. They bought a huge house and succumbed to repeated family requests for help in paying off debts. Eleven years after winning, the couple got divorced, the house was sold and what was left of their lottery winnings had to be split.