2015 Challenge

Thank you Clare for both the mention and coming straight back after your holidays to do the update. This is such an important part of my recovery and I'm grateful for all your hard work. Well done on the massive 500 day achievement Triangle and Delboy golf. In the words of my 11 year old stepdaughter that's totes amaze balls which roughly translated is that's really good! Checking in safely, have a great week soldiers xxx

apologies for the late check in - 94 days gamble free, thanks

Just dropping in to say well done everyone that's working to keep the challenge going - there's more support than ever now and I Just wish it had been here before I made decision to stop checking in.

Jan вњ”пёЏFeb вњ”пёЏMar вњ”пёЏAprilвњ”пёЏMayвњ”пёЏJuneвњ”пёЏJulyвњ”пёЏ Gamble free.......how good it feels knowing I'm no longer sucked in by online slots......eyes open, head in right place ......never going there again but also never complacent.....small steps one day at a time.

Mo

Well done to you Mo and I'm happy to add you back in the challenge !? Thanks for dropping by and letting us know you're still on the right path. My poison is also online slots (and actual slot machines) and how good it feels to have spent little more than £100 in total this year on them (mini relapse I had in May).

This challenge has some remarkable success stories and it's important that for anyone dropping by they can see how lives can and are turned around by quitting gambling.

Heres to a good week and I'm checking in on 81 days. Add this to my previous run of 120 and that makes over 200 days of not gambling in 2015!

My top tip is budgeting to the extent of knowing exactly how much money I have for everything right down to food shopping, petrol, bills, phone etc. This allows me to see exactly how much I have left to spend each week on non essentials / luxuries / eating out etc.

I use a great app on my phone to type in how much I have to spend each week of the month. As I spend I type it in and therefore can always see exactly what I've left.

This helps me remember the value of money and make sensible choices over how to spend this disposable income. One things for sure I would hate to waste a single penny on stupid slot machines. Much rather go out for a nice meal / take the kids bowling / cinema / seaside with that money. I think it would be (and was) extremely selfish of me to waste all spare money on gambling last year. I still did nice things but of course got tied up in £10k worth of debt.

This year is a fresh start and so far, mainly down to this challenge, 2015 has been a great start in turning things around.

So budgeting carefully has helped me. It won't work for everyone, but may work for some people.

keep working hard everyone !

boxingdaysmay15 (Clare)

Thanks for the update Claire, and your positive post,

Suzanne xx

PS

Thanks for dropping by mo, and showing us with pride all those lovely positive ticks

Suzanne x

DAY 26 since i last played the fobt machine. Not easy.

Checking in on day 430 onwards and upwards have a great week guys

Glads dad checking safe n sound

Hi to all especially to those reaching personal goals wether a week or a year.

Personally I feel amazing having reached 253 days - roll on 1 year

Great to read posts from past members

Best wishes to all this week fighting and marching onwards

Hi Clare, hope you had a great holiday, thanks for the update, checking in 5 weeks today 🙂

Checking in on day 222 (what a nice number)

For me..and this isnt a tip as such... I just accept that nothing good cancome from gambling. So im just not doing it. Its as simple as that, the bookies have easily had 60 grand off me over the last 18 years. Seeing as im never ever ever going to get it back whats the point in even trying. If I continued into my 50's (im 36 now) I'll prob give them another 60 grand...and what would I get in return? Another 18 years of stress and self hatred.

so yep, im paid my dews... im out of the game....

Mark

Very good way of looking at things Mark and woo hoo to you on day two two two !!!

And welcome back Emily82 !!!

Clare

Mark, Great post that I can really relate too that really hits the nail firmly on the gambling head. I like you and others on here have lost a vast amount of money over the years, it's gone and you have to draw a line in the sand, dust yourself down and start again just like you have done. It's very difficult especially in the early days / months, but it can be done. I am happier than I have ever been in my life since stopping gambling 19 months ago. A big part of that comes from the determination to not let my past rule my future - there is nothing I can do to change it, there is no way I can turn back the clock so all I can do it push on and live my life to the fullest.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to joining in celebrating your gambling free milestones as you reach them.

Mike

Thanks clare and well done Mike - 19 months is great work!

Watching last nights britain at the bookies - inparticular following terry on the fobt. Well it just strengtherned my resolve. Fobt's have ruined betting shops throughout the UK.

So so sad.

Mark,

I have also been watching the Britain at the bookies documentary with interest. It brought back bad memories of my dark days and seeing people's joy of winning and then sheer desperation of when you are chasing your losses really hit home. I was pretty annoyed on how the main business director of the said company compared his strategy simular to that of Starbucks..... I cannot remember anyone on this earth that has ever been addicted to hot drinks and would put themselves and family through relentless pain just to get another coffee fix......

I never played the FOBT's but they look extremely dangerous and agree they should all be placed under closer restrictions, if not banned all together.

Gambling is not for everyone and if not controlled it ruins your life, Fact.

Mike