And so begins another year... the last 6 years have been a living nightmare thanks to gambling.
I have no money to my name, and am still single and living with my parents at the age of 27. Some life eh?
So it is time to begin a diary, which will begin tomorrow. There won't be much to say until the 24th Jan, when I get paid and the real challenge starts.
I am determined to beat this addiction that has ruined my life, and am aiming to go through all of 2014 without gambling a penny (obviously I want to go beyond 2014 too, but hopefully I'll be completely free of gambling by this time next year).
I may ramble on about mundane things, such as what films I've seen, what I've had for dinner, but the way I see it, if it helps me through this ordeal, so be it.
I'll also note my expenditures every day, as well as any money I've been able to stash away for savings.
Wish me luck!
Good luck el producto!!
There's a 2014 challenge thread in the overcoming problem gambling section - have a read through it and think about whether this would help you.
I'm 14 years older than you, separated from my second wife, have a good job with a great salary, but am thousands in debt.........and I'm back living with my parents. A lot of that is due to gambling. Think about how fortunate you are that you've still got the world at your feet........f@&k the last 6 years, they're gone - think about the next 50 odd and how great they are going to be free of this horrible affliction.
Good luck fella,
Mr Brightside
Good luck elproducto I wish you all the strength in the world. We all need to stick strong and remember our goal, keep our money and not gamble!
Hope you have a lovely evening seeing the new year in and I wish you the very best of luck, I will be rooting for you!
Amanda
Day 1
Weather's awful today, so looks like a good day to catch up on some TV/films. I'm not getting paid again until the 24th, so that's 23 days of scraping by with very little. The real challenge begins on payday, I WILL beat the urges this time.
Dec 31st expenses: £13 (booze, lol)
2014 is my gamble free year too, I look forward to your rambles as I think mine maybe similar.Good luck, think how amazing this time next year will feel without having spent 2014, scraping by after spending most of your pay gambling (this is what i do every single month!! 🙁 )
Today's been a good day, despite the weather. Gambling hasn't really invaded my thoughts at all.
Sat down and watched Django Unchained (brilliant film) and lost myself in the 2nd Game of Thrones book for a couple of hours.
Total money spent today: 0
Good idea writing down what you spend on a daily basis. Might copy that! Good luck for 2014 ! You're too young to ruin your life ! Please be strong. From a silly old fool!
Good luck with this - I feel in a similar situation to you, and am desperate to get through this and be back to being "normal"> I will follow your posts with interest, so even if it feels like no one is reading it keep it up as they will be.
Day 2
First day back at work since the Christmas break, pretty quiet so managed to catch up with my colleagues a bit.
I've felt pretty upbeat again today, and am feeling confident that I'll be stashing some money away come payday.
About to sit down and watch Gangster Squad, then read some more Game of Thrones.
Total money spent: £1 (drink)
Good luck and keep strong, its a new year and a new start, you can do it!!! Thanks for your post on my diary its good to know we are not fighting this alone, keep strong S x
Day 3
Another quiet day at work, so I was able to finish at lunchtime and went to the cinema.
I've been feeling pretty low today, don't know if the weather has anything to do with that.
Total money spent: £22 (lunch/cinema)
Well done, keep strong this year is a new start and you can do this, Day 4 today for me too, I feel much more determined this time for some reason despite dreaming the last two nights that I won on online slots, I have told myself this is the only place I would win big in my dreams ha ha!!!! Therefore am staying strong and will not gamble. Take care S x
Day 4
Today has been very tough. I've been on a hair-trigger and have been very close to flying off the handle a couple of times. Luckily I managed to keep a lid on it.
There will probably be more days like this, but I've brought it upon myself, and I have to get out of this rut myself.
Onwards and upwards...
Total money spent: 0
Day 5
I've felt a lot better and more positive today, which is an encouraging sign.
Went to visit my grandad who is in hospital at the moment, and had a bit of family time.
First full week of work this year coming up, I'm hoping it will be busy and will therefore be a welcome distraction from you know what.
Total money spent:
£15 (petrol), £0.99 (kindle book)
Day 6
Incredibly dull day at work today, still very quiet post-Christmas.
That hasn't helped my urges much, but I've got through it and managed another gamble free day.
Total money spent:
£7.99 (lovefilm subscription)
£3.50 (milk, bread, newspaper)
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