Gambled after one year in the clear

Having a trashed credit score isn't a bad thing for a CG IMO. I'm extremely comfortable with the fact Mr L would find it tricky to get his hands on substantial amounts, less comfortable with the fact his score is rising albeit slowly although he has this mitigated by NOC's stating he's not to be offered credit.Your remortgage is in the final stages so presumably approved on paper. How crucial is a good score really?

Good evening Brian and congratulations on 90 days GF. I am full of admiration for your approach to recovery and salute your excellent progress

After setting out your stall you have never wavered and your commitment to a gamble free life has been 100%.

Also impressed with your stamina, enthusiasm and willingness to learn new skills. When not engaged in work related matters you are enjoying quality time with your family, exercising in the gym or maybe supporting your gamcare friends on the diaries.

Many thanks for painting such a positive picture of recovery....stephen

SJW and Stephen thank you for your kind comments . It’s a two way thing this whole site is . You put a lot in but you also get a lot out . I thank you both for being regular contributors on my diary and others

Lethe the above also applies . With regards to getting a better credit score it’s the difference on a mortgage for me of around £250 a month from a squeaky clean file to what my Argos card has caused me . Ok I’m used to paying a £1k mortgage plus around £850 a month servicing debt on top of that I was supporting the family and then losing what was left Basically the difference in the rates can absorb my £20k ish gambling debts and my monthly repayments will still be less than the £1k a month I am currently paying . Basically the gambling debt is absorbed in a better interest rate freeing up for my family £850 a month all the extra I had left monthly . So it does matter quite a lot as hopefully the figures show . I’m in a top management job but I may as well be unemployed with the lifestyle gambling has given me .

Hope that explains it and why I just don’t want to keep paying all of this money out that much of it is interest on interest . It’s my utopia to be clear of it all, being able to start saving big and move forward in mylife . It’s closing the door behind me and thriving not just surviving

Congratulations Brian on 100 days gamble free. I am full of admiration for your courage, resilience and great sense of humour.

You set out your stall on day 1 and you have never wavered in your determination. At the same time you have given support and encouragement to your fellow travellers.

You are a great example to myself and no doubt to many others on the diaries. Many thanks.....stephen

Day 100

Thanks Stephen for your kind words . So I have reached a mini milestone today . The day I decided that enough was enough then things have improved significantly . The urges are simply not there , the odd flash through my brain which I guess is natural . Been investing in myself , if I wanted a new sound bar I went and got it, new clothes , nights out with friends , all of these things I never did and now I can . Actually got invited to a stag do but it’s at Chester races so was completely honest with my friend that it’s not for me. Just don’t want to put myself at any risk it didn’t make sense . Relationships at home and family are great , people are proud of me and I’m proud of myself . As stated in another post I’m actually enjoying my recovery . Help out where I can on the site as the first post you make is very daunting and if people are ignored or not given positive advice then they may not return. We must retain everyone we can. Thanks to all for your support it means a lot and I hope I have reciprocated a little

Well done Bryan! Wow that 100 days went fast. You've really gone for this and i see you around the forum helping others! Its great to be in a position to offer hope and support to others who were where we started. I know you know what you need to do to keep this going. Its never over but you have proven it can be controlled and a good life can be lived with it in the background.

All the best!

Congrats on reaching 100 days gamble free Bryan, good to see that your are starting to enjoy life again and spending your money and time the way we should, on family and treating yourself every now and again.... keep up[ the good work ypu are doing great.

100 days - whoop whoop!! Great to see you doing so well. Keep reaping those rewards - you deserve it! x

Hi Bryan,

Congratulations on 100 days gamble-free. You have put a lot of work into your new gamble-free life and it looks like it is paying dividends. Keep up the good work.

All the best,

Forum Admin

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes including Admin , my first interaction with them , it’s good to know people are around , as I said before sometimes you feel that no one reads your posts . Hope everyone has a gamble free weekend . All good this side , nice to feel part of the community

Hi Bryan belated congratulations on 100 days, fantastic milestone! I've read advice you have given others, sound and solid suggestions which can really take someone out of the darkness and show that things will get slowly. Happy Sunday S 🙂

Belated Happy 100 as this was me just last week, stay focused as I slipped at around Day 127, getting too triple figures is good but be on your guard mate.

Day 108

Almost seems like I am writing these memoirs from a prison cell, counting the days , but this couldn’t be further from the truth. I’d like to think I’ve evolved quite a lot over the last period of abstinence. As stated on previous posts my life is going in the right direction . Been putting a new boiler off for months maybe years and finally this month I’m going to buy one with my wage or rather what’s left over . £1600 was a sum I could easily have lost in an hour or so but I’ve worked hard for it last month. It represents a moment in my life where I’m not seeking credit or trying to win the money that inevitably wouldn’t have gone towards a boiler . More like using it as credits until it’s gone and seeking more credits and other streams of finance . So yes , a new boiler and for once a sensible purchase that benefits the family . So since my last post not a lot has happened gambling wise , in fact no thoughts at all. Took kids to a mountaineering centre last Saturday which wasn’t cheap . They loved it so took them the following day too . Extravagant ? Maybe . Happy about taking them ? 100% . No regrets and it seems like I’m catching up on lost time . Relationships at home good . Been discussing next years holiday going to be Dominican but it’s a few £k something that is now possible but was only a pipe dream before . So yes , financially good . Mentally even better . Will post again in a few days on my string and likely most days on the new starters . Please do say hello I would love to hear from you all

So great to hear about your new gamble-free life and it sounds amazing!

Keep well and a new boiler for the family sounds like a good plan 🙂

Sammy

Hi Bryan,

Just wanted to say a massive congratulations on 100+ gamble free days. Keep up the good work. Hope you have a great weekend.

Pras