Back at day one

Cheers Jamie for your posts, really appreciate the support.

Its really weird, I had a dream that I went back on the FOBT again and when I woke up I was so relieved that it was a dream. I had won in the dream but when I woke up I did not care about that I had won I cared about the effort and the time I've put into the gambling free days! Going back to day 1 would hurt me in so many way and to all my family as well.

I'm glad your doing great and still battling this evil side we all have in common, 60 days is great mate.

Thank you for your kind words of support. Glad you are staying strong. Take care

Mary x

Day 61

That's me went 61 days gamble free. Feeling great because of it. I no longer dread payday and I'm enjoying spending money on my partner and the kids.

I've read a few posts last couple of days where people have gambled. I'm sad to read there post coming on here saying they have slipped up. At least there back on here fighting. Reading there diaries makes me even more determined not to give in to urges.

Day 62

I looked at my bank balance today and didn't have as much money as I thought. I was tempted to bet it on the tennis today. However that thought lasted about 5 mins then I came to my senses. Another day done

5 minutes of hard work today is a small price to pay for the rewards of recovery...Great choice made there 🙂 I know if you had made the wrong choice your bet today would have come in so an even bigger 'well done' for recognising that 'another day done' is far more important!

Not as much money as you thought suggests to me there was still some money & that has to be an improvement on where you were @! Don't forget you have actually spent it on loved ones instead of just chucking it away so don't be too disappointed!

Keep winning - ODAAT

Day 63

Thanks odaat as always your bang on.

Another day passes without any urges and that's me now at 9 weeks. It's a great feeling my mum and sister where asking today and they can't believe how far I've come in 9 weeks. Defo a better life without gambling.

65 days gamble free. Working 7 straight overtime shifts this week to help pay towards our trip to Blackpool. Might be in the uk but with 5 kids a week in Blackpool can be very expensive. At least my money is going on something that makes my kids smile. They love Blackpool and this year they are going to go to every attraction there. It reminds me of a time just back in April. Me and the Mrs went to Blackpool for long weekend ourselves to relax as kids are stressful. Blackpool is very special to us as its where we got engaged. Anyway we took about 400 pound spending money which should have been more than enough. However on the last day I wasted about 150 pounds in the bookies. Instead of going up the tower on our last night I had to lie saying our phone bill had came out early and we had no money. We go to Blackpool at least twice a year and its the same every time. Well not this time.

Day 66 completed without any urges. I took a look on the forum for people just beginning there journey and I think I'm quite fortunate. I never played FOBT I always thought they where a con. Online slots never interested me as I thought the same about them. However I would think nothing of putting money on a 30 second greyhound race for my dog to get bumped at the first corner and race to be over after 5 seconds. So by saying I'm fortunate I mean that I can go to a service station for example without risk of relapsing. However I know I can never step foot into a bookies ever again. Thankfully at the moment that doesn't interest me one bit.

Hi Jamie, keep making that decision not to step inside, we don't need to test ourselves on this journey anymore than Mr Gamble already has in store for us!

I'm here to prematurely congratulate you on getting to 10 weeks as I am off on me hols on Saturday 🙂

You are doing fantastically well & nevermind holidaying in the UK being expensive with 5 kids, a trip to the park is that! I'm so glad for them they will have their daddy with them this time, in mind & body! It's also little wonder that your Mum & sister are proud of you, I hope you are too!

Keep winning mate - ODAAT

10 weeks complete

Saturday was day 70. Not gonna lie little urges have been entering my mind to have a small gamble on the golf or the tennis. However I've not acted on them and with my barriers in place probably couldn't have a bet anyways.

73 days gamble free.

Looking forward to my week away with the Mrs and the kids. Managed to safe up a good amount thanks to no gambling. Before I would look at my spending money and use some of it to try win more as I would think I didn't have enough. I never ended up with more spending money.

I'm gonna rewatch the BBC documentary because I had just woke up Monday when it started. Few things I didn't like. Someone else mentioned when the customer kicked the betting terminal and the assistant just smiled and said that's a typical day. Gambling is meant to be fun and I'm thinking most of the people who kick those machines arent having fun.

Also I found the manager of the store very annoying. At one point he was telling people what horse to back. I thought that was irresponsible. I think that staff in the shop should sit take the bet take the cash and that should be it. Certainly not telling people what he fancies in the next race.

Hi Jamie,

Thank you for posting on my diary. I really appreciate it. Great to read how well you are doing. 🙂 I replied to you yesterday and have just realised that I posted it to my diary rather than yours! I obviously need an early night! Enjoy your week away.

Best wishes

Dave

82 days gamble free

At Blackpool with the Mrs and the kids. Kids are having a great time as there being spoiled. Lots of the usual rubbish toys tatoos ice cream etc.

Was raining the other day so took a shortcut through the one of the arcades. One of the kids wanted to play the penny falls machine where you put the 2 pence in the machine to try and win more 2ps. I said no chance to my Mrs. First its 2p machines. Then 5p machines then there at the slot machines. The amount of kids I seen playing slot machines in this one arcade. I said to my Mrs that a lot of these kids will have problems growing up. It up to my kids if they want to gamble when there older its there choice. However they won't be doing it till there legally old enough and I will warn them of the dangers when there older.

Feeling great and proud of where I am just now. Going home on Saturday and gonna get a new carpet for the hall as we have a little bit of spare cash.

12 weeks gamble free

84 days ago I placed my last ever bet and decided no more. I could see what it was doing to me. Making me hard to live with. Always cutting gas money to have a bet. I actually can't believe how far I've come and how quickly finances sort themselves out once you stop

Just back from a week in Blackpool. The kids got absolutely spoiled. Don't know exactly how much I spent but it was a fortune. However not one penny spent on gambling just overpriced hot chocolate

Day 85

Surprised my Mrs today by informing her I had just purchased to season tickets for football this season. 860 pounds all in. She doesn't really like football so was a bit shocked. But she wasn't annoyed she said she rather I spend money on that than in a bookies.

No urges to gamble today. Managed to watch the Chelsea and arsenal game without any urges. Very encouraging as football starts next week and I'm worried that the urges come flooding back. Have to wait and see.