Hi to all,
Today I found myself looking at my bank accounts and asking HOW, WHY!! By this I mean how have I got the age of 35 and find myself with no savings, none at all, in fact im about 40k in debt!
I know we all have our own stories as to how we find ourselves here and the levels that gambling has impacted on our lives! For me I have seen many of my friends move on with there lives; marriage, kids, buy a house. I feel like I have simply treaded water. I have a good job and able to pay back the debt (yes most is from gambling). However I find myself forever having the draw to gamble with all my expendable income (well I make it expendable it really should be going in my savings). I love poker and blackjack and in fact i've had some amazing wins one of which actually wiped out my 40k of debt. However I feel this served as a catalyst to make me gamble more and bigger and once again I find myself staring at statement with pretty much zero balance. So what next, I suppose I have 2 options; continue in the same path and perhaps ill get lucky and win and clear my debt again and like most think i'll win more to compensate for the hole in my finances that gambling has given me, I do appreciate the irony in that statement! Alternatively do I try cold turkey and give it all up, this is the most obvious of things to do and one that makes the most sense but like most addctions that inner voice creeps up on me just after payday to say well you got a few extra quid to play with why not just have a play with a little of it.
I realise im not too old but I feel like there is an up hill struggle to go to get myself back on track, especially as I would like to buy a house etc which is why I go back to gambling as this seems to be a way to make amends and win a deposit for a house! Has anyone got any ideas how I can turn this negative thought into a productive way to motivate me into saving?
Thanks,
​hi, I too love poker and have played online for ten years and lost thousands. Ive now given up on online poker and blocked myself online and in my local bookies. I have joined local pub poker leagues and get the same buz from poker playing for trophies rather than for money. I still unfortunately gamble on fruit machines which I'm trying very hard to give up but on a plus note this is a relatively small amount to gamble. I recommend pub poker mate . Five pound buy ins every week. Meeting new people rather than playing on a screen. If u want to save for a deposit go for it u can do it mate, I bought a flat and have a mortgage If I cab manage it after what I lost u definitely cab. U can enjoy poker without it being about the money mate, adam
The problem with your first option is when or should I say if you hit that big win what do you do with it? Pay all your debts, book a holiday or buy a car? Well you didn't do that last time you won you just carried on and built up yet more debt, wasted more time and let cycle keep going.
The problem with the second option is its not easy, it's a challenge its pushing you into the unknown outside of your comfort zone but the rewards are greater not just a better financial position that's just a byproduct of not gambling. It's the time you get back to do things and make things happen in your life. It's the pride you get back in your life being able to hold you head up high. Don't gamble you will have enough money to enjoy life and the in time as the debts come down this will only continue to improve.
The choice is yours I know which one I've picked.
KTF
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