Gambling CC abuse? Please help!

[Firewomen]

Hello to all: I am very new to this forum and appoligze if this topic has already been addressed. I do not want to waste anyone's time.
So I have had a gambling problem for about 30 years. Up until about 3 years ago I was able to keep up with my payments and not get to out of hand with my CC. My credit rating has been close to 800, so fortunately or unfortunatlely I have been able to get a few credit cards. I started transfering balances back and forth to keep them a 0%. Then about 5 months ago I realized I did not have any other cards to transfer balances too and realized I was getting in way over my head. Things were coming to a head and I called a reliable financial adviser and after speaking to two people one of them being the owner I was told I would probably have to file for BK. This really took my breath away, but I adjusted to the idea. Well this is where I think I have hugely SCREWED up. Over the last 60 days I have bought "things" ahead knowing I would not be able to get them after I filed the BK. I took out about $1500.00 on the CC at the casinos. I did consult an attouney around April 15 when I owed the state $1200.00 and took that also off the CC. He said to wait 60 days and come back, continue to make the minimum payments. I think I have qualified for CC abuse and could be in deep S%#T. I would appreciate Any suggestions. Also sorry for the mis spelled words I cannot find the spell check.

[keepmine]

What things did you buy ahead? Assets are property of the bk estate and if you can't exempt them, the trustee could seize them.
Just put the cards away. The creditor would have to be the one to object and in the grand scheme of things, that's unlikely. Just keep making the minimum payments for awhile and worse case, if a creditor did object that debt may not be discharged.

[Firewomen]

Things I bought ahead, couple pair of shoes, some clothes, food, TP stuff like that. I would rack up $300.00 at Walmart pretty quickly. I went from about a $4000.00 balance to $10,000.00 in a couple months. When you say the dept might not be discharged does that mean I will still owe the money after the BK? thanks for your help!

[LadyInTheRed]

The attorney told you to come back in 60 days because once cash advances are 70 days old and purchases are 90 days old, a creditor would have to prove that you made the charges without intending to pay them. If the 70 or 90 days pass between the charges and BK filing, in the unlikely event a creditor does try to petition to have the debt ruled non-dischargeable, the fact that you made minimum payments for a while can be used as evidence that you did in fact intend to repay the debt. $3700 is usually not enough for a creditor to bother with (ETA: typed that based on the casino charge and tax payment, before seeing post #3).

Cut up your credit cards now. You need to learn to live without them anyway.

[LadyInTheRed]

When you say the dept might not be discharged does that mean I will still owe the money after the BK?

Yes.

[Pizza]

$6000 worth of 'shoes, some clothes, food, TP stuff like that'.... in 2 months..... Hmmm....

Tell your attorney everything, and cut up the cards. You may be advised to push the filing date back and make some minimum payments.

[DaisysMom]

I agree, cut up the cards and explain everything to the attorney. But also, have you taken any steps to getting a handle on your gambling? BK can be a huge blessing and an awesome fresh start, but if you are going to go right back to what got you in this fix, then you should probably deal with that before you file. JMHO Please don't be offended.

DM

[btbeme]

Until and unless you seek and receive treatment for your addiction, a BK will only be temporary relief.

After that, depending on where you live and where you get the money to gamble (since you will have no credit) your addiction can be life-altering, if you know what I mean. Unpaid casino markers, "loans" from friends and family (or from more shady sources), incarceration - all of that can and will come knocking unless you get a handle on your problem. Like now.

And that's the truth, harsh or not. You do not have just a money problem - you have a gambling problem. Fix one, then the other. Leaving either one unattended makes the other problem even bigger.

Search these forums. I recall two or three recent instances where forum members have sought help for their gambling as part of their plan to get their lives back together.

[keepmine]

Things I bought ahead, couple pair of shoes, some clothes, food, TP stuff like that. I would rack up $300.00 at Walmart pretty quickly. I went from about a $4000.00 balance to $10,000.00 in a couple months. When you say the dept might not be discharged does that mean I will still owe the money after the BK? thanks for your help!

You need to get in the real world. Your comment in your initial post about buying things ahead of bk because you wouldn't be able to get them afterwards is just ridiculous.
You really believe you couldn't buy shoes and food and TP post bk?
I'd agree with the otherss. $6k plus, the $3700 you mentioned earlier could well be a gamechanger. Let your lawyer know exactly what you did. Cut up the cards, get help for the gambling addiction and figure out if post bk, you can support yourself without credit.

[Firewomen]

Ok I got to thinking today about the $6,000.00. In addition car repairs and huge Vet bill. I agree with all of you about the gambling problem, and I am seeking resources on that now. Thank you for all your post and info. You do not know who I am, I do not know any of you, so I have no reason to hold anything back. Also all my gas the last 6 months, a little bit here, a little bit there and it sure adds up. I will also look up to see what others did for their gambling problem. I hope I am not fooling myself but my mind set right now is if this CC dept could be earased I would NEVER gamble again. What am I going to do with that time, RIDE my bike, get in better shape. I realize I do have a long road ahead, I hope and pray I can keep my head up and above water!! I will keep you all posted, thank you again!

[btbeme]

This forum is populated with every type of person who has been in every type situation they could ever be in, and we have all found enough good advice and encouragement here to keep coming back as well as contribute.

Imagine how you could help others once you have helped yourself get out of that deep hole!

We can encourage you and advise you from a distance, but you need to take the steps. We will be here when you need help.

[keepsmiling]

Hi and WELCOME to the right place!
You are certainly not the first person to post about a gambling problem. You can do a search in the box up top and should be able to pull up a few other threads. Many of us have an addiction of one kind or another- be it gambling, cigarettes, liquor, eating, shopping... know that you are NOT alone.

Agree with the rest-- get this attended to TODAY. Call your local GA and attend a meeting tonight or tomorrow. The rest will fall into place.
Good luck and ... one day at a time.

[AngelinaCat]

If you are not up to cutting the cards up right now, put them in a plastic container, fill the container with water and FREEZE it solid. Then leave it in the freezer. It will take at least 24-48 hours to thaw out. That will give you some time to think about what you want to use the plastic on. That is one step to start learning to live without the credit cards.

Good luck to you, and welcome to the forum!

[df04527]

LOVE that AC... Thats a good one!

[AngelinaCat]

LOVE that AC... Thats a good one!

I didn't think that one up; Consumer Advocate, Clark Howard did.