2014 Challenge

Still fighting on. Has to be hardest week of my working life. Handing over all access to cash to a friend was a big necessary step, but it makes me feel so pathetic. Ended this week with about 80p in my pocket, but no gambling. My mindset is slowly changing from trying to win on the slots to trying to stretch what I have to make ends meet. Incredible, I earn 55k a year an in this mess ridiculous really. Time to "man up " and smell the coffee .!

Strange - a message just for you soldier - on 9th December last year I handed my accounts over to my mum. My bank cards, my credit cards, my loan and mortgage accounts, my shares accounts, access to everything on line, total transparency and visibility of my financial world. I hated it at first, but forced myself to conform - it was my own fault and this was about me taking responsibility by demonstrating the humility I had to to get the support I needed.

I smoke, I use approx 70 of diesel getting to an from work, I try to have a social life......and I allow myself 150 a week. The holiday I am on just now, I started saving 20 a week out of my 150, held by my "accountant" and that, plus my 2 weeks "spending money" for time away has given me 500 to spend while here.........however.......

Nearly 6 months on from that humiliating and humbling day I truly understand the value of money, the comfortable future I can have without gambling and that the ceremony of handing these things over has been pivotal in my stopping. Remember the triangle mate, remove money and it's impossible to gamble......but with 150 in your pocket there's the test.......and for me that's where self exclusion came in - I had to remove location too.

I don't buy in to the concept that you have to be able to understand whether you can control it yourself - that's bullsh1t as far as I'm concerned. I am utterly and totally dedicated to stopping gambling and will do anything within my power to do so......and that has meant handing power over to someone else. It guarantees my future, it gives me the best chance at a prosperous life.......it gives me the best chance at life. Full stop.

I am liberated from my finances and the temptation that having money in the bank brings. My future is liberated. My financial risk is minimal. I lay my head in my pillow at night not angry at the fact my finances are not my own, but thankful that someone loves me enough that they would help me and say "no" when it's the right thing to do.

Allow yourself to be liberated Strange.....and allow the care if someone else to support you, no matter how cr** it feels right now.

You will win soldier.

Mr Brightside

Checking in on day 18.

I really sympathise with Strange. I did the same thing last week, when i handed over control of all my finances to my partner. I know how you feel buddy, but it is a necessary step to beating this, and i am determined to win.

Evening everyone!!

Quick check in for me - 29 soldiers safe, 8 MIA with some seriously big numbers in there.....I know you're not gambling guys, but get those check ins made!! It's the Big Philla in charge now and he will hunt you down - lol!!

Batman - I'm very very proud of you superhero - 100 days and the very newest member of the Century Club - would be shocked if I didn't see your name here before midnight tonight! Hope you're doing ok after a stressful week and you've got your feet up enjoying the Century 😉

mjb4000 - your name rings a bell soldier? Have you been with the challenge before? Either way, welcome! Please make one more post making the commitment to your recovery and very importantly to the team - you'll not gamble with us being your conscience!! Over to you soldier but would be delighted to have you marching with us!!

6 hours with me for check in, but 8 hours in the uk! That means we need one soldier an hour to return from battle to have a safe platoon!! With the new soldiers, we'd hit the 40 mark!!

It's over to you Phil!!

Mr Brightside

Checking in day 1.

Good luck everyone

Hi Mr Brightside

thanks for the mention

no not been on the challenge before but have been around this forum for 3/4 years (if I had stopped then things would have been so much better)

anyway I will be starting from Sunday 25th as my first day and will try not to let anyone down

mjb

Hello hello !

Today is a massive day for me 100 days no gambling ! I feel so so good and it honestly feels like just yesterday I stopped gambling, my progress is massive and the amount of money I've saved is even bigger ! So this is my check in for the week I thought today would be appropriate and I want to wish everyone strength for the week and get over the temptation of a bet in the champions league final which I assume most will be watching ! Comon Madrid..... Lol 😉 anyway have a good week !

Much love

Batman !

Well done batman, you must feel amazing.

Good on ya mate keep it up

Leigh

apologies for the late check in and lack of activity this week, pulling 14 hour shifts all week. Off tomorrow so will catch up on whats been happening then.

Del 285 days GF 🙂

Checking in ......just in time 🙂

Evening everyone from Greece!!

Bornagain - please add Leigh and MJB to the growing group of soldiers........

Leigh/MJB - we really need your solid commitment I this please!!! You are part of an incredible team that will fight the good fight - every time you feel the temptation you need to think of the soldier standing next to you.......who you have to choose to let them take a bullet.......or take it yourself and simply say, "no, today I will not gamble".

I simply can't believe the 6 soldiers we are missing - HT, AP, BBS, KIN, WG - w*f? You guys are the main stay?? Where are you??

We are strong everyone.

Mr B

Hi sorry for the late check in bornagain had problems signing in. Down in Glasgow flying out to Berlin tomorrow, no urges to gamble. Hope your havin a fab time Mr B, bring the sun back to Scotland with you.

Good luck everyone and take care x

Thank you Mr B.

Appreciate all the support.

Is good to be able to talk and share with people in same situation and that. Because not everyone understands how we feel etc.

Leigh

Checking in day 2.

Keep fighting guys

Leigh

checking in day 9 (I think) had a really hard week but no gambling so is been a successful one. Congrats to everyone for getting through