Page 112 - Grasp English C1+ (Student Book)

8 Money Issues

I hit rock-bottom about a year ago. I’d got addicted to online auctions and quickly lost all my savings. To
start with I was buying things I thought I needed, but then the thrill of bidding got to me and soon I was
obsessed with the competitive nature of it all. I started missing work because I had stayed up into the early
hours the previous night trying to win something I didn’t even want, like a cordless vacuum cleaner. When I
lost my job, I just saw it as an opportunity to spend more time online.

I didn’t even realise how bad it was getting until I was in the supermarket picking up some food. I’d just
handed over my card and asked for £20 cashback; she swiped my card and – nothing. There was that
awkward moment where she looked at me apologetically. “Do you want to pay for this in cash?” she asked.
I shook my head, knowing I had barely a pound in my pocket in change.
When I got home and checked my account for the first time in months, it really hit home. I was in the red
and wouldn’t be able to pay my monthly instalments for the house, the internet or my car. I rang my parents
and asked for an IOU to see me through to the end of the month, but stupidly, I didn’t tell them why. I was
sure I could sort things out myself and get back into the black.

But it was just downhill from there. At the time, I thought the best way of making my money back was to sell
all the things I’d bid for online. I went to a few local pawn shops to see how much they’d give me, but they
all quoted so much less than what I’d paid that I left feeling thoroughly depressed.

Unfortunately, there was no hope of bartering the many useless items I had for the things I really needed,
like food and toiletries. Who was going to give me a tube of toothpaste for a signed photo of some random
90s pop star? In the end, I had no choice. I confessed everything to my parents, who, luckily, were very
understanding. I’ve been staying with them since March whilst I get back on my feet, and I’ve just started
attending an Addicts Anonymous group.
I’m so thankful for the support of the group, my family and friends to get my life back on track. But there’s
nothing worse than feeling like you can’t pay your way. It’s tough to go out with friends and they merrily say,
“My treat!” But one day soon, I’ll buy them dinner.

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