Would AIBU to use these scratchcards or should I save them...

[ToScratchOrNotToScratch]

I am very organised but also very poor and I have a dilemma...

We have had a completely shit six months employment/finances wise (like lots of us I know) topped off by last week - a succession of horrifically timed events like self isolation, a broken washing machine and a bank fuck up. Etc. It goes on and on.

Because I am poor yet organised I have been (thank god) getting a little amount of stuff organised each week for Christmas. We've already gone through the money I've put away. I am eyeing up my stocking drawer (which is just teeny things really, like a shower gel each for the DC, extra long charger cables, that sort of stuff). BUT I have two scratchcards in there, one for DH's and one for DS's (over 18) stockings.

WIBU to do the scratchcards in case they are winning ones? Even £10 would help at the moment, to be honest!

PS I have already gone through the time honoured MN recommendations of checking loyalty cards, eBaying everything not nailed down, I am looking for work, DH has a job 4.45 - 7am and another 8am - 4.30pm. I can't take in ironing. There is nothing down the back of the sofa. We have cut all our bills down as low as possible. We have literally done everything we can already, so I don't need suggestions just scratchcard advice

PPS this is NOT a fucking begging thread - it's meant to be a bit lighthearted in that laugh or you'll cry way, so please don't anyone be a dick I don't have twins and there is money on my electric meter

You need to use a special coin for the second card! That dirty old 2p will never win you anything!

Find your shiniest gold coin and give it a kiss before use. (Not a sentence I ever expected to write)

Please can I just say I really don't recommend people go and buy scratchcards as that would make me feel like a very bad enabling person I really only buy them at Christmas as I can see how they could be very addictive very quickly. I actually advise my DC not to do them and buy premium bonds instead...(they do an monthly online reveal on their app too which is very exciting!)

I'm sure when the second scratch card doesn't win anything, no one will want to rush out and buy one anyway

Have you scratched off the multiplier bit?

Don't leave it unscratched otherwise what was its point in life? 😢

Good luck!! I read the first page then skipped to the last to see if you’d won! 🍀

Oh Toscratch stop you are too much. 😂

I am so off to get a scratch card today. I think you had me and the point you told us not to.

Yes card number 2 is feeling lucky!!!

this is gonna be painful when the op 'wins' £1 and everyone has to wait for the trip to the shop exchange

(also only gamble what you can afford people, I'm an addict and it nearly took my life)

Best wishes though OP, I don't do luck anymore but it sounds like you deserve a break

*at

Well the multiplier was 10x winning amount so clearly its purpose in life was to make me feel even more annoyed I didn't win anything...

Sorry why I would hate to be the architect of re-enabling you. I could ask MN to put a trigger warning for gambling on it maybe.

You absolutely must do the other one now. I'm putting off having a shower before my first physio after a terrible car accident last week, to watch this unfold...

Good luck op but what always sticks in my mind is many years ago when I worked in retail we would have reps come in to check all was well. She pulled out some packs of a new scratch card and then looked at the serial numbers on the back and swapped around the ones she wanted me to put in the dispenser. I must have looked confused so she told me they put more smaller wins in the first batches to get people to play more.

Ok I have decided not to buy a scratch card today but to donate to a charitable cause. I think this places us right again with karma op. Go ahead.

thanks for the offer but no, I'm good - 20 years addicted, over 3 years without even a raffle ticket now, my life my choices and today I will choose to not gamble

Doesn't stop me hoping you catch a break though 🤣🤣

Do it for Jolly

Do the other one now. I'm really invested. I bought a £5 scratch card this morning and won bugger all. I did win £30 last week though. And christmas last year, I won £100 three weeks before Christmas so that was awesome.

I bought my friend 5 £2 scratch cards for her birthday as I knew she didn't want flowers or chocolates.

Cost me £10, she won £6 - not worth it from an investment pov but at least she got something!

One day at a time why.

When clients used to give me gifts of wine/champagne/spirits etc (in the days when that was allowed!) I always donated them to the school for Christmas raffles, but on the day I got them so they weren't in my house! They probably thought I was a lunatic

Right. If anyone can't see the photo is is the second card, a lit candle (birthday as that's all I have in the house) and a very shiny 50p coin.

Fuck sake I forgot the photo

Good luck!🤞

Ooh good thread... this is the one OP!

Birthday candle is defo a good shout.

I'm intrigued!

Good luck op. Thank you for this thread.