Payday today

Hi Guy. Well done on 4 weeks, that's a great achievement. I'm only 2 days in and it's my first time holding my hands up and admitting I've got a problem so I'm new here. These forums are so supportive. I really wish you all the strength you need today to keep yourself away from the temptation. Good luck and stay strong.

Hi Guy74.

Thats great but I just want to give you a boost by asking if you have the real blocks in place. They have to be there in cast iron.

Ideally it would be nice if someone was managing your finances for a while and you are self excluded from everywhere that may tempt you

I spent a day or so making sure I had no outlet and was self excluded. I cycle past the arcade and bookies now and my only feeling are a twinge of sadness for the people who may be stood in there. I usually say the words mugs game because I now realise how dangerous they were to me and are to others on the high street. They are not putting a downer my life again

Im never complacent and sometimes work through a scenario of what could trigger or tempt me in future. I doubt it though because Im feeling great. I dont miss it and I dont want it in my life.

Best wishes to you

One small twinge to gamble when I passed a bookies yesterday but knowing I have self excluded has helped and the urge soon passed. I still look at stocks and shares but I know that starts the slippery slope. So glad my sister has the bulk of my funds and happy sending her payments every payday rather then the thrill or risking little reward against losing by gambling or 'investing' on the aim market. All my bills are paid this month, I know for a few months I will have little cash at hand but I am glad I have accepted I am a compulsive gambler and have the support of my sister holding my cash. IVA will finish in 15 months time then I will be debt free!

Well done on making payday a gamble free day.

What you have in place is great.

Myself I made sure as much money as possible went towards my debt on payday. Didn't even eat my breakfast until I made sure, payments to debts were paid, even overpaying where possible.

Normally a compulsive gambler will spend more than they think on gambling, so it can be a real eye opener when you get to a pay month gamble free.

I'd also look at budgeting and also putting money into a savings account which has no card for withdrawals and a certain amount of notice needed before a withdrawal can be made.

For me seeing my savings grow and my debt decrease was a massive step towards giving me the willpower to achieve my aim.

After nearly 2 months of no gambling I fell back into it over the last few days. I basically found myself online, losing £250 then luckily winning £700 then lost £800 over the last few days in betting shops I hadn't self excluded from so a net loss of just over £350. Am absolutely furious with my self and at least I had all my bills paid on payday so they are paid and didn't lose all my spare money this month but now I will have to live another frugal existence till next payday. I still give money to my sister and she still has all my savings. I think I will have to up the amount I send her and ask for a small allowance each week to prevent these instances. I am furious as although not the biggest amount I have lost but the feeling of compulsion and anxiety catching up and hooking me in again, so this is day 1 again for me

Ah what a shame.

The main thing, is you pick yourself up and start again. You really need to get blocks in place, so you can't gamble online and get self excluded from those bookies as well.

Sounds like you have given yourself too much spare money, so think about restricting that, giving your sister as much money as possible or even your card.

As I said before, gamblers do spend more than they think and therefore perhaps you thought you needed more money to live on than you actually did. Working out all incomings and outgoings a month and then working out exactly what you need to live on, with perhaps a tiny bit of spare money, will give you some indication of how much you should be giving to your sister.