Protecting your assets

Give yourself the best chance of success by keeping your money safe and secure from relapse.

Accessibility to cash

Carrying cash is one main factor that can tempt people to gamble. Limiting and controlling your access to cash can be an effective safeguard against the urge to gamble. Speak to a financial counsellor who can help you find the best strategy for you! Learn more about financial counsellors.

Some ways that may help you protect your money are:

• Carry only enough cash on you to cover your daily expenses.
• Leave credit cards and eftpos cards at home.
• Lower the daily withdrawal limit on your bank account 
• Take Banking Apps off your smart phone
• Cancel cash withdrawals on your credit card.
• Have a debit card rather than a credit card.
• Organise wages to be paid into a separate account from which funds need to be transferred before you access them.
• Tell family and friends and ask them not to lend you money (they may need some support too - check out our helping others section)
• Ask someone you trust to hold money for you. For example, ask a reliable friend or spouse to manage your wages.
• Pay bills by direct debit, or ask someone to pay bills for you.
• Purchase Coles/Woolworths gift cards when you are paid to ensure you have money for food and petrol
• Visa Gift cards –purchased at a post office - provide a handy way to purchase items without having direct access to cash, which can be a temptation to gamble.

It is important to seek financial advice from a trained financial counsellor who specialises in assisting people with these issues and work out best strategies to put in place. They are available on 1800 007 007 – Monday to Friday 9.30-4.30

Securing your assets

You could ask a financial counsellor about possible options:

• Altering your credit record by adjusting it to 'no more credit'
• Storing assets/valuables so you cannot pawn them.

Repay your debts

• Organise regular bill payments that are debited from your bank account.
• Talk to a financial counsellor about consolidating debt or organising an agreement with debtors if you are overwhelmed by managing your debts.
• Plan a weekly budget that involves strict repayments of your debts and stick to it. 
• To find out where your closest financial counsellor is speak to an online counsellor now.