Saw my son’s team lose at football this morning. In days gone by this would have bothered me perhaps more than him. Nowadays it’s different, it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Just happy to spend time with him. This time together is so precious and where I’ve been with this gambling disease has helped me realise this.
Michael....we’ve known each other on this forum for a long time. I know the reasons why you can’t tell your wife but you have to do something about this debt. Enquire about an IVA....seriously it’s the best thing I ever did. You have more than enough to live off each month, you get to keep 50% of any overtime and bonus and the lack of access to funds means that you know you can’t gamble as it’s literally your food money! It is such a relief to just have a debit card and not the 3 loans and 20 credit cards I used to have. You are going to go round in circles (like I was) forever if you don’t do something huge to change this! Lots of love Shorty xxxx
Day 4
Hi Shorty, it’s really nice to hear from you after all this time. I guess the IVA is worth some serious consideration. I’ll take a look if I get some down time today. I’m over the moon you’ve finally pulled it together - I’m not going to say you’ve cracked it because I know when I went 3 years gamble free I thought I was “cured”, obviously not the case and almost definitely never the case Just keep those blocks in place.
Me, I plod on, Day 4. First official day back at work for 2018 and I wake up groggy and tired. I have blocks in place, but this is when I’m most vulnerable, so I’ll skip overtime this morning take my time and might do some tonight. One thing I need to be extremely mindful is tiredness which I deal with as a priority these days.
Day 5
Need to make the most of the overtime whilst it lasts. So far I’ve paid 1 out of 10 credit cards off. If the overtime gets extended (and we should find out in the next few days) then I should earn enough to get the 2nd of the 10 paid by end of next month.
A long day yesterday and a short nights sleep. Very busy again today. Feeling tired. Need to be very wary.
Day 6
Another tiring start. Need to take it easy for the next few days.
Day 7
Completed my tax return yesterday and it doesn’t look like I owe the tax man as much as I first feared. Only around £400 less, but will go straight onto the credit card. Can’t help thinking that it’s too good to be true though.
Meanwhile I’m struggling to get out of bed this morning after another short and restless nights sleep but the important thing is that I’m not gambling and some distance now from last weeks “hiccup”.
Moving onto Day 8 and a full week gamble free. Looks like I will probably have the opportunity of unlimited overtime for the next month. This will be the perfect opportunity to pay off the 2nd of the 10 Credit cards. 4 weeks from now, I’ll have some money in the bank and a high interest credit card paid and more importantly, 30 odds days gamble free.
You’re doing really well Michael, well done - great that you have such a positive outlook. I
Day 8
1 week gamble free and a potential means to pay off CC card #2 (/10) by end of next month. Things are looking a little more positive now.
Day 10
Just had a little reminder tonight of why I don’t gamble now. All still on track.
Day 11
A big weekend of overtime worked. Not sure how long I’ll be able to take overtime so taking it while it lasts. By the end of next month should be down to 8 Credit Cards, with each additional month of overtime will enabling me to pay off another card. Just focusing on this for the time being, and I’ll take stock once it’s finished.
Day 15
Was feeling ok during the week but a yesterday had a bit of a subconscious wake up call reminding me of what I’ve done. Spent a lot of the day just shaking my head. I guess that’s all part of the recovery process.
And another few hours of work overtime today. Might only get a few more weeks of this, but the longer this goes on the better. Debt is reducing and should have another Credit Card paid by end of February. By March debt levels should be almost to a level which I'm a little more comfortable with. Checked and credit rating has moved up a few points; some 0 balance transfer offers will be useful but currently not eligible for any. Will revisit in a month's time. What a mess !
Nearly 3 weeks and not a single penny of hard earned cash has made its way into Casino hands. Still shaking my head over the latest episodes, but only 1 week away from paying 1/2 of Credit Card #2/10 (the 2nd half will be paid next month)
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