I too was a teacher (amongst other jobs) for many years and yet I was always in debt.
For me it started with the gambling – but then even when I stopped the repayments didn’t seem to go down and other things (life) happened … But people don’t get it do they? We hear about how bad gambling is – in that it causes depression and suicide and possible prison sentences – but that day to day grinding down by debt and money worries doesn’t seem to get mentioned.
Yeah the trying to make a tin of baked beans last 3 days – or continually checking the “near to sell-by date” at the supermarket for something really cheap. Not going out to a restaurant for lunch, or even a cheap cafe, or even a bought sandwich – but buying cheap bread and the cheapest meat or cheese and putting it together … for a meal out. And all the time, others look on and think that because I have a “professional” job (and in my case 2 or 3) that I should be rolling in it.
You wrote: “The big win no longer seems like a reality …” It isn’t a reality – it won’t happen and while-ever we think it is a possibility there is that danger of chasing it and losing even more.
Get good debt advice. In the UK there is a website called moneysavingexpert .com which has a forum called debt-free wannabees which is mainly self-help and support but does have some vetted debt advisors posting. I should think being in ROI would not restrict your registration. I wish I had used it more. There is probably a lot more I could say – but I will leave it there … hopefully catch up soon.