Day 4 complete- Did not gamble today and did not spend anything. So busy in work at the moment there is no time to think about anything anyway. Keeping this short as I am tired.
What did I do today to prevent gambling and improve my financial position? I did not gamble, I spent zero and I also applied for a better paying job.
What am I grateful for today ? Sleep, cant wait.
Day 5 complete (nearly). No urges to gamble thinking about the debt is a bit depressing but as long as I can afford it then all it is a number on a screen. My motivtion is imagining how good it would be to look at this forum and be able to scroll through a years worth of posts and see the debts dissapear
Work extremely stressful right now, massive deadlines approaching and can't get enough hours left alone to complete it. Depressing knowing all the work I put in yet cant even enjoy the pay. Spent a couple of pound today on snacks. Will spend zero tomorrow.
What did I do today to prevent gambling and improve my financial position? I did not gamble and write in this diary.
What am I grateful for today ? Weekends, cannot wait for a drink on friday.
2 more days left for first challenge to be complete
Hi there, id like to say that ive been on this site for two years and I think you're going about this the right way. You've put the blocks in place with gamstop if u haven't get the blocks for casinos sense program and bookies. I also keep spreadsheets of my outgoings and incomings to budget, works well I've spent gradually less and less on gambling and my outgoings. If it works for me it can work for you. Ive only spent twenty pounds on gambling this year. I would say that if u want to spend money on little things like drinks or meals at weekend with ur girlfriend don't cut back on that uve got plenty of dispossable income to budget so maybe pay back 500 a month to debts and use the rest to live a happy life.good luckadam
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Hi Adam , thank you for your comment. Glad to see like minded opinions. the other block I have is no access to my bank out so feel pretty secure.
Definitely agree about still treating yourself. But for the next at least two months I will hammer paying the debts.
Day 6 complete. No thoughts of gambling. Really c**P day though, got really sad news of an unexpected passing.
Grateful for friendships tonight. Need to stick by people
Day 7 complete- first challenge bossed. Posting a little bit earlier than usual but out for dinner tonight and wont have time to later. Had to spend a bit of money yesterday about £80, couldnt be helped. sometimes you have to keep appearences up and it costs money.
Going for dinner tonight, celebrate a week. It's strange , thinking in my head and adding up how much it will probably cost and slightly grudging it. I'm not a tight person, never have been when it comes to paying for others (I always pay the bill). For myself, though I find I grudge spending more. I could go getting the steak tonight but at £15 dearer than my normal dish I have decided against. Yet, I would throw £100 on a dog and not feel anything. Madness
What was I trying to get money for? What did I think gambling was going to allow me to buy? I could afford all I needed, yet the irony of it being now I cant.
What am I grateful for? Having a good job. Not only it paying decent but actually enjoying the work, even though its stressful.
What did I do today to prevent gambling and improve my financial position? Did not gamble. Decided against steak, saving a small bit. Did not go out with friends which would of cost alot more (the meal will be the same as one of the rounds of shots). Can't say this won't happen tomorrow though.
Next challenge: This may seem like a small one but my next challenge is get to 10 days in a row not betting and posting in this. The 7 days was easy but the weekend after is always harder when I stop so thats why the goal is small.
Day 8 complete.Have not gambled. Posting a bit earlier today again as will be busy later. Today has been the most difficult yet. Feeling frustrated about my position. Just found out I have a bill for £200 that I thought had already paid, also my car looks like it will have to go into garage costing money.
I spent £50 on dinner last night. Will need to spend another £10 tonight. Won't spend anything tomorrow. In total I have spent about £150 this week which I can't see how. The £80 spend couldnt be helped but feel like something always comes up.
I keep thinking about my job. I like my job but would better of money wise elsewhere. Don't know what to do.
About 26 days to pay day which is depressing me more. As I am writing this I realise I have another expense coming up- A birthday gift this month. I feel worse because as i said I will need to use credit this month so debt will increase. Will feel much better once its next pay day and Ive brought it down, even just a little bit.
I do not want to wish my life away, but being a few months down the line would be great. Feeling unfit also which isnt helping. Diet starts monday.
What did I do today to prevent gambling and improve my financial position? Did not gamble.
Grateful for? This forum. I have spent today reading others posts and has scared me to where it could go. I really hope gamstop does end up covering all companies. It's the fear of hearing stories of people having one bad day and losing a £20,000 loan.
I am now realising the only difference from today has been that Its the first time I have not been busy. This is why I've put myself in a downer. Will keep myself busy all month.
L
Feeling more positive today.
Plan for today: Be as productive as possible. Get it all on paper and get it done.
Day 9- Did not gamble today. Found myself getting a bit depressed about whats been lost. Can I please just be at 100 days gambling free already. Did not spend any money today.
I am supposed to be getting a payrise but no date has been set. My training is to end meaning my salary will be bumped up. I was promised months ago, yet its not something spoke about. If we had a review date set I would feel a lot more motivated. The money would be used to help pay debts (should be about another £300 take home a month). It would motivate me to work harder in work instead of being really frustrated. Although just by stopping betting I will be 1200 better of a month anyway.
I feel proud of being 9 days gambling free but it all feels empty. My problem is at payday so how can I call this progress. the weeks following payday will be the challenge. I am nervous for payday coming (ages away though). I want to for once in my life not be self destructive.
I think I need to close a lot of things off in work because its feeling like im falling behind. I am going to work extremely hard this week and get ahead. May even do some work at home.
Diet starts tomorrow, meal prep tonight. Being healthy always puts me in a better state of mind. Hopefully will get me over all this self loathing about gambling.
I am using this diary not only for gambling but just improving life in general now. Gets my thoughts out my head so I can be clear how to move forward.
What did I do today to prevent gambling and improve my financial position? Spent zero. Did not gamble.
Grateful for: Having the means to pay the bills this month.
I like how you're approaching this 101! Loved the 'first challenge bossed' comment for day 7. To me that shows a real commitment to being on top of the situation.
Falling behind at work/socially etc. is par for the course when you're in the early stages of recovery i.e. when your head's blown. Give it a month gamble free and I guarantee you will see a vast improvement in overall efficiency.
Hey man! I am in a very similar boat to you, although this is your post, i would really like some advice also. I have built up 3.3k debt and want to get rid of it asap. I get arond £140 to spend on whatever a week, would it be best putting £100 of that every week into a seperate account? i dont know where to start and dont want to start gambling again
Detrimental, Thank you very much for your comments. Nice to see people taking an interest.
TomS,
I had a look at your other posts. Definitely a lot of similarities.
I seen you said you drive long journeys etc on past posts. Make sure your blocks are strong. Have you signed up for GamStop yet? if you are serious about stopping then definitely sign up.
I am in the same position to you with self excluding in shops. I am in a city where there are far too many to self exclude from, even with the multioperator scheme I would drive and find somewhere. I also refuse to SE from one bookmaker as I used to work there and can't deal with knowing everyone would see my name. Sad I know.
The way I am getting round this is to ban myself from money aswell as from gambling. A trick I have used before is when I need a break I report my bank cards as lost. This will block your cards and force you to stop for a few days at least. Scratch the number of when it comes or throw the pin letter away and be limited to £30 contactless transaction.
I have someone watching my bank account and in control of my money. They drip feed me it when I need it. If you have someone that can do this for you its the best solution. I carry a card with me that can only be used for purchases, doesnt allow to lift cash and doesnt work on gambling sites.
with the 140 a week, why not budget for the week what you need then immediately pay it to the debt. Get rid of your access to money to stop the urges.
Dont start with big targets. Have a small one and hit it. Whether its to not gamble and post on here every day for a month, week or even hour.
Best of luck. Hope to see your day 100 post.
Day 10 : Second goal smashed. Small one but I am proud anyway!.
Did not gamble today. Spent nothing other than fuel. Starting to get pumped thinking about the future again. Time to start my life. Hopefully the first Xmas actually sticking to my promises in a long time.
I honestly cannot reccomend self development books enough to anyone needing a blast of mottivation. Chimp paradox is a good one for us gamblers. How to stop gambling was also a good one I read. Interesting bit about us gamblers kidding ourselves on that we like the little rituals like picking a bet or going to the bookies with friends before the pub as much as the actual gambling part. Notes that its like going into a restaurant and looking at the menu then walking out and not ordering.
Diet started today which I think had a good impact on my motivation. Feel good for once. Started the morning with a small workout which is great also.
Going to try and spend very little this week. My goal is going to be small again. Feel like a large goal is to dangerous for me at moment, do not want to lose focus. My goal this time is to hit day 15 and still post on this every day. Keeps me centred and focused.
On a nicer note, 4 more days untill the first celebratory bottle of malt I promised myself.
10 Day Review:
What did I do well to prevent gambling and improve my financial position the past 10 days? Firstly I did not gamble. I was concious of all my spending on items also.
What could I do better in the next 10 days? I will try keep spending less than 70 excluding fuel for total week.
What was great about not gambling the past 10 days? Rediscovered listening to music. Not done this in a long time. Was able to give my future aspirations a thought and came to a few decisions.
What am I grateful for? Music- can genuinely be a mood lifter.
All the best people.
Day 11. Did not gamble today.
Wow, what a clear mind after only 11 days stopping. I've never felt this positive and motivated before. I feel like I can see the way out this time. Week by week is my mantra.
Had a couple of absolutely clear moments when driving about how I can bring in some more income with a bit of hard work. One of the ideas seems pretty solid. Completed a couple of actions to at least ensure I commit to this and dont let it fade away.
Did not spend anything today other than fuel. Happy with that. Work still crazy.
What did I do today to prevent gambling and improve financial position? Spent nothing except fuel. Did not gamble. researched ways to increase income.
Grateful for? Tonight I am grateful for this website. Ensuring I post every single day make sures I am brought back to the fact that I am 100% commited to giving up.
All the best people
Probably over posting in this diary but it makes me feel like I've actually done something positive and physical. So I will continue to post whenever the urge takes me.
Day going well so far. One bill niggling at me as it's unexpected.
How great would it be if bills all came on the exact same day you have been paid. Pay it off and forget about it. No matter what I try and plan for. Something else always pops up.
Anyways , back to work
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