Few things have given me a greater thrill than the simple act of buying a round of drinks for my family in a lovely village pub recently. The bill for the seven of us came to around £35, and handing over my card to the bartender to settle it was a monumental achievement.

Before that, if ever I had a spare £35 I'd blow it on a game of online roulette. In fact, I wouldn't have stopped at £35; the most I burned through in one gambling session was £11,000.

Looking at that figure now, it seems unbelievable that I could squander such a huge amount - more than I earned in three months in my teaching job - in a matter of hours.

But I was in the grip of a 12-year gambling addiction, with total losses of well over £75,000 - money that my husband and I could have used as a hefty deposit on a house.

It remains a source of guilt and shame that we still live in rented accommodation because of me - and that even if we could afford a mortgage, my terrible credit rating would prevent us from getting one.

Like most addicts, I spent years hiding my problem behind a horrible tangle of lies. The inner turmoil was excruciating... right up until I finally sought professional treatment for my addiction two years ago.

Gambling addiction is thought to be a male problem, but during my recovery I was given a shocking insight into the number of other women suffering as I was, from mothers and nurses to lawyers and architects.

Even at my worst, on the surface I was the epitome of a respectable, sensible, middle-class professional.




Gambling addiction is thought to be a male problem, but many women - respectable, middle-class professionals - hide their problem from loved ones 

I teach English in a private secondary school, play golf and padel, and have been married to my husband Will, who works in elite sports management, for seven years.

Both 36, we met at university, where I studied English. After graduating aged 22, Will moved to London to begin his career and I moved back in with my parents in Chester. While local friends started exciting new lives, I returned to the waitressing shifts I'd done during school holidays. I began to feel like a bit of a failure.

I remember being in my bedroom tinkering with my CV on my laptop when an advert popped up on the screen offering me a free £10 horse-racing bet.

‘Why not?' I thought and, by sheer fluke, I won. Although I don't recall how much, what I remember clearly is the buzz I felt in that moment. After months of feeling like a loser compared to all my friends, suddenly I felt good; like a winner. And I knew I wanted that feeling again.

Things escalated alarmingly quickly. Within two weeks I was gambling for six to eight hours a day, chasing that feeling of elation. Living board-free at home meant that when I got my weekly pay packet, I'd buy any essentials, such as toiletries, then gamble the rest away in under a week on online casino games. When I'd spent all my money, I took loans or worked overtime.

No one in my family gambled, so they didn't suspect what I was doing during all those hours spent on my phone and laptop; in their minds, gambling probably happened in High Street betting shops or in casinos. And because we weren't living together, Will didn't pick up on it, either.

Yet it consumed my life, preventing me from applying for jobs, pursuing my hobbies and being sociable.

Roulette claimed my heaviest losses. I'd think nothing of throwing £200 at red or black - swiftly followed by another £200 to try to win back what I'd lost. If I had a big win I would splash out on new clothes, only to return them days later when I needed the money back. If I transferred the winnings to my bank accounts, it would quickly be debited for loan repayments.




'Roulette claimed my heaviest losses. I'd think nothing of throwing £200 at red or black,' says Annie




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I'd then gamble again to win more money. I did it during breaks at work, in the toilets on rare nights out, or even waiting for dental or GP appointments.

My biggest win came in 2016. Aged 28, I was still living with my parents and working waitressing shifts at a hotel, and I had been gambling for six years. It was around midnight when I won £20,000 on the roulette wheel after taking out a loan of £1,000.

With my parents asleep in the next room, I remember quietly jumping up and down, then crying with relief. It meant I'd be able to pay back all of my outstanding loans - around £3,000 at the time - with plenty left over for a holiday or a car.

But, though I did pay back the loans, within a month I'd gambled the rest away. I remember crying and shaking in my room when the final few pounds vanished.

I told no one about these dizzying highs and crashing lows, and I felt terrible keeping so much from Will. In a way, I was living a double life.

Will and I moved into a rented house together in Hertfordshire not long after this episode, and got married in May 2017. At around the same time, I returned to university to gain a PGCE, having decided I wanted to teach.

Though I was able to resist gambling on our wedding day and during our honeymoon, the urge to do so returned as we began married life. That's when I started taking out payday loans bad credit (lockedinmagazine.com) loans - a few thousand pounds at a time.

I began teaching English in a private senior school, and though I didn't gamble while at school - it would have felt utterly inappropriate surrounded by children - the moment I got home from work, I'd go straight on to the casino sites before Will got home.

It wasn't long, however, before he began to ask why I didn't have money to contribute to the rent and bills. I'm ashamed to say I lied, telling him my bank account had been hacked. I'd then call my parents and ask to borrow money, spewing out the same lies.

Constantly in debt, at night I'd tiptoe out of our bedroom while Will was sleeping and sit in the dark in another room spinning the roulette wheel until I could no longer keep my eyes open.

At my lowest point in autumn 2021, I had payday loans of over £10,000. My credit rating was so atrocious that no other lenders would touch me. Still nobody suspected a thing.

We had agreed that Will would pay the bulk of the bills because his sports management career meant he earned considerably more than me.

The fact that his income was higher than mine meant he didn't question my lack of funds as much as he may have done otherwise.

But I was beginning to feel hopeless. In desperation, I secretly visited my GP and admitted I had a gambling problem for the first time.

Rather than refer me for help, however, he sent me away with antidepressants, which I flushed down the toilet before continuing to gamble.

A year later, when I blew my entire monthly salary on the roulette wheel - around £3,000 after tax - within three days of being paid, I knew I couldn't carry on.

I felt physically sick; one minute pacing the house in panic, the next climbing into bed feeling overwhelmed and mentally exhausted. There were times I struggled with suicidal thoughts, too.

It wasn't so bad when I was busy with teaching, but in the school holidays - when I was in the house on my own while Will was at work - I'd feel depressed and desperate.

At home alone one afternoon, I finally got in touch with the gambling addicts charity GamCare and received a call from a lovely therapist called Jenny. I could barely speak for crying as the lies, secrets and shame of the past 12 years tumbled out.

When I confessed that not even my husband or my parents knew, we roleplayed how I might break the news to them.

This was the start of a seven-week, self-guided recovery programme. I was advised to use Gamban, a free piece of computer software that doesn't allow you to go on any gambling site, meaning that even if I had an urge I couldn't act upon it.

I was taught about ‘urge surfing', a technique that helps you visualise the urge as a wave - the aim is to ride it without trying to control it.

Most urges subside within 20 minutes, and in that time I would occupy my mind with something else, such as going for a walk or taking a bath.

At home one night, I finally found the strength to confess all to Will.

‘I have something to tell you but I don't feel I can tell you to your face,' I said, handing him a letter in which I explained it all.

I included everything, from the lies to the huge sums of money I'd borrowed and lost, and the feelings that had led to me becoming addicted.

Terrified, I turned my back to him while he read it. But he wrapped his arms around me, tears pouring down his cheeks, and whispered: ‘It's OK, we'll get through this together.'

It wasn't easy. I'd betrayed his trust and he felt terribly hurt that I hadn't confided in him. I'd wanted to tell him so many times but my thought process was always, ‘If I can just win big, then telling him won't be so bad.'

The first few days were awkward but we kept talking, no matter how painful it was. On my therapist's advice, Will took control of my bank accounts and finances, with all my salary being paid into his account.

Having to ask him for cash if I needed to buy deodorant or tampons was demeaning, but Jenny said that at this stage, if I had any money, I'd continue to gamble.

A week later, I called my parents and tearfully told them. Despite their shock, the first thing they said was ‘How can we help you, darling?'

Around a month into therapy, I began to feel lighter and more hopeful. Understanding my triggers was key. Though my addiction had been sparked by feelings of inadequacy while I was waitressing and living at home, I realised it had actually worsened after I started teaching.

Being in charge of 30 kids while coping with constant pressure from parents, Ofsted and senior leadership was overwhelming.

Rather than pour myself a glass of wine like many do, I'd reached for the gambling apps to unwind.

After the seven weeks, I felt confident in my ability to continue facing my demons, safe in the knowledge that I had somewhere to turn if need be.

In that first year I did log in to a gambling website a couple of times, but I reminded myself, ‘If I bet, I will lose' and logged out again.

Gambling stripped me of my identity, self-esteem and confidence, and I still fear how others might react to finding out the truth. That's why, two years on, I still haven't told anyone else, including my two older brothers and my best friends.

Thankfully, though, Will and I are closer than ever. Ten months ago, he handed back control of my finances, which was a big milestone for both of us.

Now the greatest wins are being able to afford gifts for my loved ones - without relying on the spin of a roulette wheel.


Annie Millward is a pseudonym. Names have been changed.


As told to Sadie Nicholas.

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Unexpected expenses can creep up at any point with a hard-to-ignore urgency that must be met. Whether you're trying to cover unanticipated medical bills in the wake of an illness, or are dealing with uninsured damages to your home or car - these expenses can be difficult to organize at short notice.

While it's true that sudden monetary strain can upend even the most financially organized household, it is often even harder to finance these needs if you've got bad credit. Since getting approval for traditional loans is difficult for those without a high credit score, it may be useful to explore alternative funding solutions. But first, it may be useful to learn what these terms mean and how they relate to your financial profile.

What is 'Bad Credit'?
The term 'bad credit' is used to indicate a history of poor financial management and unpaid dues. Instances such as late payments, payment defaults, or high credit utilization can contribute to a borrower having bad credit, which is represented by a low credit score.

This indicates a high-risk borrower, who may fail to honor a borrowing agreement and might be more likely to default on a loan. So, being identified as holding bad credit can be detrimental. This makes it important to maintain your credit score, as a low credit score can have many disadvantages.

The Implications of a Low Credit Score
A credit score is used by lenders to predict the probability of a borrower repaying the lent money. Credit Bureaus calculate credit scores based on a variety of factors, which includes payment history, owed amounts, and the duration of credit history. The various types of credit you may have used, as well as any new credit inquiries you might make, are also kept track of.

This means that having a low credit score makes it considerably challenging to obtain a conventional loan for financing any unexpected expenses. Lenders view people with bad credit as high-risk borrowers, which means that even if their loan gets approved, they do not receive the same benefits as someone with good credit would.

Here are a few of the most common disadvantages presented with conventional loans for borrowers with a low credit score:

1. High Interest

To compensate for the increased risk, lenders often charge higher rates of interest on loans to borrowers with bad credit. However, this is highly disadvantageous to borrowers with bad credit as they end up paying more over the full duration of the loan.

2. Small Amounts

Loans that are approved for individuals with a low credit score are usually of smaller amounts compared to loans that are accessible to people with good credit. This means that borrowers with bad credit have trouble meeting their financing needs in their entirety.

3. Unfavorable Terms

Loans approved for borrowers with a low credit score typically stipulate unfavorable terms. This might manifest as higher fees or a shorter repayment period than what is granted to borrowers with good credit.

As conventional loans become disadvantageous for borrowers with a low credit score, it can be beneficial to seek out alternative loans for people with bad credit.

7 Financing Options With Bad Credit
1. Co-Signed Loans

You can improve your chances of getting approved for a loan by applying with a friend or a family member who has good credit. By co-signing on your loan, the individual with the high credit score takes the responsibility of repaying it, should you be unable to.

2. Secured Loans

Applying for a secured loan requires a borrower to possess some kind of valuable asset that can be marked as collateral. This improves the likelihood of getting a loan, even with bad credit, since the lender can seize the collateral in case the borrower defaults on their payment.

3. Payday Loans

These kinds of loans are ideal when unexpected expenses crop up and you're in need of urgent financing solutions. payday loans no credit check; https://indiepedia.org/, loans offer quick cash at high interest rates, which make them useful in a pickle, but also risky.

4. Peer-to-Peer Lending

This is another great option for people with bad credit who aren't getting approved for a traditional loan from their bank. Peer-to-peer lending takes place across platforms where a borrower is connected to an individual investor. You can obtain a loan at a higher rate of interest for any urgent financial needs.

5. Title Loans

Similar to secured loans, title loans are offered against an individual's car title. In case the borrower is unable to repay the loan, the lender can take ownership of the borrower's car. This is a great option to make any unexpected payments.

6. Bad Credit Loans

While traditional banks may reject your loan applications, there are lenders who specialize in offering loans to people with low credit scores. These loans are designed with strict stipulations and higher interest rates.

7. Credit Unions

Borrowing from a credit union is also a possible alternative since these organizations can meet your lending needs with more flexible stipulations than traditional banks. Borrowers with low credit scores may find credit unions more willing to give them loans than a traditional bank.

The Road Ahead: Improving Your Credit Score
The challenge of getting a loan with a bad credit score can cost you dearly in times of need. But while it can be an uphill battle to make it through unstable times, it is possible to balance your finances and regain your footing over time.

The road ahead can hold many unexpected challenges which might require you to think outside the box to make ends meet. This is why it's important to begin planning your finances today.

Here are a few simple ways you can start working towards this goal, today:

1. Reminders for Timely Payments

The first step to building a good credit score is to make payments on time. For this, you'll need to get organized and set up reminders for any upcoming payments or fixed bill deadlines for utilities.

It's okay if you struggle with time management or need reminders to meet deadlines. In fact, this can easily be fixed by setting up a digital calendar that can send you automated reminders as payment dates get close.

2. Avoid Late Fees

If you're on top of your organization but lack the funds to make bill payments, consider borrowing small amounts from friends or family to avoid stacking up late fees. Repaying a loved one after a few weeks is a better scenario than lowering your credit score further with repeated delayed payments.

3. Pause Expensive Subscriptions

If you've got a bunch of entertainment subscriptions, consider picking a few to put on pause for a few months - at least until your necessary expenses are covered. Doing this allows you to focus on paying off your existing debt without racking up more credit in the meantime.



4. Create an Untouchable Fund

Lastly, it's a great idea to create an untouchable fund that you put towards any unexpected spending for future needs. Putting aside a small amount every week or month can do wonders for building a contingency fund for any emergencies in the future.

In Summary
Unexpected expenses are inevitable. They don't have to derail your finances, however. Through exploring these alternative financing options and diligently working to improve your credit score, you will be poised to navigate financial challenges with confidence, while building a stronger financial future. Always keep in mind that a low credit score doesn't define your worth. It's simply a starting point. With smart choices and diligent effort, you can pave the way to financial stability and success.

Nov 12 (Reuters) - American households considered "underbanked" -- or who rely on services like check cashing and same day payday loans loans to meet their financial needs -- are more likely to hold cryptocurrencies than households with better access to the traditional banking system, according to a government report released Tuesday.

The report from the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also showed that one in eight shoppers using buy-now-pay-later services had missed or made a late payment on at least one of their purchases. (Reporting by Douglas Gillison)

Now that the market for non-quarterback NFL players has been essentially re-set thanks to massive contracts signed over the offseason, impending free agents are hoping to cash in at the right time.

Just within the past few weeks, major paydays have been given out to pass rusher Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns - as well as Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver duo Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase.

Now, with those big contracts already settled, those who are set to be free agents but haven't inked new deals are looking to be well compensated for the years to come.

Right atop that list is Micah Parsons. The Dallas Cowboys pass rusher is still on his rookie deal and is hoping to cash in on his success.

It seems like that's exactly what he's going to be getting.

According to a report from the Dallas Morning News, Parsons is seeking a contract in the range of $200million in total pay.




Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons is looking for a contract in the $200million range





With other big free agents hitting the market, Dallas will have to time Parsons' deal just right

If he gets that, it would be the largest contract for a non-quarterback in NFL history.

Team officials have reportedly met with Parsons' agent at the combine for preliminary discussions, but they haven't spoken in the few weeks since. Jerry Jones has also spoken with the player directly about a future deal.

For reference, Garrett's contract - the current holder for largest in the NFL for a defensive player - clocks in a $160million over four years.

Chase's $161m contract just beats that out for the biggest deal for a non-quarterback. 

Surprisingly for the Cowboys, time is actually of the essence here. If Parsons believes that he is by far the best defensive player in the league (which, he's at least in the conversation for) then Dallas would most likely want to get him signed before other defensive free agents.

That includes Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher TJ Watt - who is also set for a major instant payday loans [eaccwiki.com] and could push Parsons' asking price higher if he gets signed earlier than the Cowboys' man.

In all four of his NFL seasons, Parsons - the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Pro selection - has hit at least 12 sacks for a total of 52.5 across all 63 games played.


Dallas CowboysCincinnati Bengals

June 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. consumer financial watchdog agency on Monday announced the creation of a new public database to identify nonbank financial companies caught violating consumer laws, saying it would help catch and deter corporate repeat offenders.

New regulations require debt collectors, mortgage and payday loans (simplicitywiki.com) lenders, credit reporting companies and other nonbank financial services companies, many of which are not otherwise registered or licensed, to inform the CFPB of actions taken against them at the federal, state and local level, the agency said. (Reporting by Douglas Gillison Editing by Chris Reese)

Debt is often perceived as an evil in the financial realm. Usually the more debts you have the tougher it is to get rid of them as you need to cut down the expenses or start earning more. Debts do also have a negative impact on the credit score and if you are up to applying for loans - banks will be more suspicious about your credibility and ability of paying back.

But as every single phenomenon debt might have two sides of its existence: this means not only a bad side. Moreover, debts can bring some positive moments and better your credit score. The only required thing is to know how to treat debts so they will not damage your financial life. Let us check what criteria there are to find out whether your debt is a bad or a good one.

What is a purpose of your obtainining debts? Is it worth all the efforts and interest rates to pay it back later? Regarding the reason why you need some extra funds: if it is a pair of new wheels or shoes - you must realise yourself how irreasonable the purpose is. But most people can't avoid having debts: buying a vehicle, an apartment or even a house - unless you have a fortune behind you, you will not be able to get any of these things yourself without applying for a bank loan. Speaking about student loans - most of us prefer not to use the parents' money for our future education.

Still there must be a high level of self-organization: each debt must be paid back. Set up deadlines by yourself, of course banks or lenders will let you know about ther deadlines too. But it is even better for you to set them up yourself for an earlier point just to be sure that you will not miss a last paying-back day.



Do I really need this debt? Every time you are thinking of applying for a loan ask yourself this question and what is more important, try to answer it honestly. In general, debts may have some good sides as well. For instance, if you pay it back in time without any delays - it will give a positive mark on your credit score and history. Moreover, such actions will prove how responsible you are.

Think reasonably whether you need a second vehicle if your old one drives perfectly fine. Do you need to take a loan for going to the Caribbeans if you can find the same amazing beaches in California?

Truly, some circumstances do happen in life when you cannot avoid debts but make sure they will not do harm to your financial life.








Lisa Perry has spend years in the personal finance management. He has gathered an in-depth knowledge about 24/7 instant payday loans lenders and their simple payday installment loans online .