[LuckySpendaholics]

I don't know how many of those reading this will have seen the first show of the current second series (aired October 3rd), but I'm Simon / Lucky who was the 'contributor' i.e. in a shed load of debt.

I owed £25,000, of which £20,000 was accrued in the past 3 years. I've been going to Chelsea since I was 8, in 1989 when we were rubbish, old division 2 and we were poor... anyway, finishing college and starting full-time employment coincided with a lot of success and every penny I earnt (and more) went on going to Chelsea home, away and in Europe. Success finally came in May when we won the league for the first time in 50 years, second time in our 100 year history - lifetime dream achieved, although my credit cards and loans stood at £25,000.

The season finished in May and I thought "right, sort yourself out", so the end of May and June I began documenting all of my spending. Pure coincidence a mate e-mailed me the link about the new series of Spendaholics. I thought perfect, the ideal time. Applied for it and got on.

I went on the show purely for the fame and so blagged it really to get on, not realising the seriousness of my situation. The early part of my show was very much fake concern on my part but this all changed. By missing matches I subconsciously felt like I was letting my mates down, letting the club down and letting myself down. I felt people wouldn't like/respect me as much - suppose my brothers blooming education and degree left me looking for success, and Chelsea seemed an easy way of finding that. However, I realised that all the football and beer that went with it, had ruined me. Overweight and in a lot of debt. I started to resent both, why had this club taken over my life and why did I feel the need to neck 15 - 20 pints on a match day.

That was the turning point in my eyes, realising what got me into debt and resenting it. I still love Chelsea with all my heart but only go to the home league games, and not being out from 11am - 2am like I used to be. The buzz from football is replaced by the buzz of saving and realising my life will be starting afresh in 4 years.

I've so far paid back £2,300 in 3 months 1 week - it's amazing. Lost 5 stone (4 stone was prior to filming), been out this afternoon drinking OJ & Lemonade but left my mates in the pub - they all support me and give me a lot of help. Anyone thats in debt don't worry, those around to you, close or otherwise, will help you - but you have to help yourself first. It's no good talking about it, take control, DO IT! After a few weeks, a month, people around will see the effort your making and encourage you. You'll realise the friendships you have.

The show took me out of my comfort zone and thrust me into situations that I wasn't comfortable with. I was guest compere at a comedy club - hated the idea and had an arguement on camera - but did it and came off stage absolutely buzzing. Took that into my normal life and went for a huge promotion in my company, interview's and fear of failure / looking stupid scare the hell out of me. Didn't get it but the management were "blown away" with my interview and offered me a different promotion with a £2,000 pay-rise.

Things aren't as bad as they may seem, changing is difficult for a few weeks, but what's a few weeks out of your lifetime - your mentality changes and the urges fade - happiness is on it's way. If anyone does want to get in touch then please, feel free.

Lucky / Simon

[Benjamin Fry]

Good for you. Let us know how you get on.

[Recoveringworkjunkie]

Simon

I think you hit it on the head, in terms of how your recovery is going, when you were able to take Christmas in your stride and then get back on the 'straight and narrow' again once the Christmas spending pressure had eased. A tip I find useful is to have 'Christmas' and other big occasions in my budget, each month or week, so that when they roll around I have some money saved already so the pressure does not become intolerable. You could even put this money in a easy-access deposit account and earn yourself a little interest. This time of year is a good time to start this as it gives you a good run before the festivities start again!

Brian

[Benjamin Fry]

Simon,

Glad to hear you are doing well. Keep up the good work. You are our poster boy of success.

All the best,

Benjamin

[Suzanne]

Hi Simon

I saw you on Spendaholics and fair play to you - I am in a lot of debt myself - 18k and its really hard trying to pay it off. I thought you did really well and your confidence seem to soar by the end of the programme.

Well done to you, hopefully I will be able to follow your example.

All the best - keep up the good work !!

Suzanne

[Deb]

Hi Simon,

I saw you on Spendaholics, and really like what you did at the Comedy Club. I'm glad you got a pay rise, because if I was as much into Arsenal or Liverpool (both supported in my family) as you are into Chelsea, I would have gone away to support them too, including to Europe for the Champions League. I remember thinking at the time, watching your episode 'what this guy needs is more income and to keep going to see his team, rather than paring down the costs to the bone." It's great you got a pay rise. Way to go!

There was another guy, a snow boarder, whom struck me as the same, someone who needed to earn more so he could fuel his passion rather than to curt costs to the bone.

You're really lucky you have something in your life that you are passionately interested in, just like the snowboarding guy. I hope you get to earn enough to fuel your passion. Chelsea (pains me to say it, but I can't see Arsenal standing in their way....) could win the Champions league this year. Maybe it is worth doing a couple of comedy stints to fund trips to Europe? It would be terrible to miss their triumph.

[shellsbells]

Hi Simon

I just wanted to congratulate you on all that you have achieved so far. I saw the original show and the spendaholics saved my life which was shown on BBC3 recently. You look really happy and in control of your life. I wish you all the best for the future.

Shells

[spectacularmickey]

Simon/Lucky!

I'm doing a research project into the effects being a football fan can have on your mental/phsyical health - and your pocket! And you'd be a perfect person to talk to!!

If you're able to contact me on:

i c s 4 j e @ l e e d s . a c . u k

then i'd be soooooo grateful!!

Cheers,

Jo xx

[b_beth]

Hi Simon,

I went to see Benjamin earlier in the year and am getting my life a bit more on track as a result. I've taken down your tips which sound pretty good. The one other approach I have taken is to go and ask the bank for bank charges back for the last six years - in my case this comes to about 1.5 grand. Currently no bank has defended these charges in court, probably because they would have to admit the actual level of charges and the floodgates would open. The relevent website is www.penaltycharges.co.uk

Thanks for the tips,

Beth

[crappotheclown]

I watched your episode, I thought you did really well and made an amazing transformation. Did you do any more comedy after?
xxx

[suzy]

Hi Simon,

I saw you on Spendaholics and you did so well - you really inspired me. You were so brave doing the comedy too - I don't think I would have been able to do that! You were brilliant and you must have felt so great afterwards.

I hope things are going well for you and the debt is still going down!

Take care

Suzy