Hi Michael
If you remember I posted a message to you saying that I had read your diary in full and how your situation very much matched my own...similar age, debt level, kids, jobs etc.
I am full of admiration for what you have done but don't beat yourself up too much with regards your debt. That is what I focussed on, to the point it becomes your sole focus.
It isn't, your wife and children are, money isn't that important as long as you have enough to survive on.
The reason I now know this is, if you read my own diary, you will see that my wife was diagnosed with Cancer on Dec 23rd....BANG....then all of a sudden your life comes crumbling down. I've had to deal with this for the last week as well as trying to act normally so as to ensure our kids have a great Xmas. All of a sudden gambling is irrelevant, money is irrelevent, everything is irrelevent. The only thing that matters is family.
Please be strong, I was very much like you, focussed on debt reduction plans etc. It is good to strive for this but at the end of the day it is only money. It is people that are more important. My own situation is slightly surreal at present and I'm not trying to preach to you, but just do your best with the debt, keep chipping away at it, but make sure you enjoy the things that are most important in life ie your family. You never know what's round the corner.
Take care my friend
Day 96,97,98
Guys, Thank-you for your comments, and , thank-you so much for contributing to my diary, and finding the strength to continue encouraging others when your own world has been turned upside-down - I've posted a reply on your own diary.
In every post since May this year, I think I've talked about money and debt - the aftermath of gambling. I think I'm the sort of person who seems to need something to worry about - if the debt wasn't there, I'd worry about something else. Guess I just need to chill a bit and enjoy life a bit more, when I'm still young enough and healthy enough to do so. Otherwise, what memories will I have to look back on, 60hr week, for year after year trying to pay off debts, feeling tired and grumpy for most of the time. Don't get me wrong, I still need to pay off these debts, but I need to keep a check on myself.
Again , I wish you and your family all the best for the coming months and for 2012.
There's nothing wrong about being really honest about your money and your debt, it just goes to show that you are determined to tackle them head first. They are also a constant reminder of what gambling WILL cause in the long term.
A very Happy New Year to you too and all the very best for 2012.
GT
Day 99
Thanks GT,
1 day to go before breaking that 100day barrier - and unlike last time I reached 99days, and blew it, I don't have a single urge so I will reach my target, at about 01:15 tommorrow afternoon.
Don't have any urges - just focussing now on 2012. I'm not a one for New Years Resolutions, and I'm certainly not going to change anything I'm doing now. I don't want to lose momentum or focus on this - remaining gamble-free and driving those d**n debts down. You never know what's around the corner, but I'm so much looking forward to next Christmas as I'm going to make a concious point of spoiling the kids and OH rotten, and going out having a great time.
One thing I definately am committed to doing is continuing to write on this diary - I need to see how far I've come.
Great day for you tomorrow and a perfect way to start 2012.
As for New Year Resolutions, I tend to be the same each year.
Not to gamble.
But this time, it WILL happen!
GT
DAY 100
First major milestone today - a rather muted hooray, but unlike last time I blew it after 99days, I've had absolutely no inclination to gamble.
Absolutely 100% sure that I wouldn't have achieved this without the comments of support and encouragement from you guys, and I'm forever indebted to you all. However down I've felt, and however much I've ranted, your posts on this diary have always been 100% positive and I'm incredibly grateful for that.
Sadly at this time of year, I see more and more new diaries starting, and to any newbies, I advise 100% to regularly update your diaries, every day if possible.
I see more and more TV adverts these days inviting people to ruin their lives. Unlike other addictions, I'd say gambling is the easiest one to get hooked on. With internet access, and a promise of sign-up bonus, you can be gambling within 5mins, and sitting on a £100 profit in 10mins. This is what happened to me, and when you lose it all, and a bit more, you get frustrated, and try to win it back - within 1hr, you're addicted, and you're on the slippery slope, only stopping at the bottom when you've max'd out your credit cards, loans, overdraft etc.
If every single person on this forum did not gamble a single penny in 2012, can you imagine how much money the gambling industry would lose out on ? Millions.
So come on folks, let's not give these casino's and bookies another single penny of our hard-earned cash - let's make 2012 a great year !
Happy new year to you all, and wishing everyone a trouble-free, stress-free, worry-free and GAMBLE-FREE 2012 !
Hi Michael there is no debt you owe. By coming on here and posting you are paying back your debt tenfold if not more. A great last post there as well. The other day, without realising I was watching one of those adverts thinking nothing to deposit etc maybe I could just... then I realised where my demon gambling mind was taking me!! Laughed it off and not thought about it till just now. Keep posting and take care
Hi Michael
As you know i dont post much on your diary but i always read it.
A BIG congratulations on your 100 days a milestone you deserve.
I have huge admiration for your determination and strength to beat this and i know that in 2012 you will carry on beating this with the same strength and determination youve shown this year.
Stay Strong.x
Day 101
Felt like a rant today, but hey it's New Year - plenty of time for that in the coming year. Anyway, went out last night, had quite a few, got stripped almost naked in the name of 'fun', got accosted by a drag queen - and this was all down our quiet, sociable, family friendly local - but all in good humour (seem to remember the same happened last year - why do they always pick on me !?). A unique way to celebrate 100days gamble free - god knows what'll happen when I reach 500 !!
Happy New Year !
100 days! Hooray! And so glad to hear about you cutting loose, letting your hair down,clothes off...whatever!! Ha! You deserve it! Stay strong and I'll look forward to the next milestone celebrated!
Sharon
Well done on the 100 day mark Micheal, You are doing great !!. Keep it up, stay focused and as strong as you have been and this time next year will seem like paradise compared to now.
Gambling took one christmas from you because of the stress regrett and debt etc. Dont let those greedy gambling firms take another from you buddy.
As i said this is your year, not theirs !. Keep your own money and things will come right buddy and what a great day that shall be my friend.
Happy new year mate
Steven
Day 102
Still recovering from my New Year escapades, thinking about the coming 12 months and where I want to be. Well, I'll be almost 500days gamble free, and I could quite conceivably be almost Credit Card debt free (although I will still have a significant loan owed to my parents). Just been trying to plot my course for 2012 - I don't know what's around the corner - but if I stick to the plan, then next Xmas will indeed feel like paradise compared to this years.
Haven't given gambling a second thought.
Great stuff, Michael35, 100 days!
It's lovely to be able to look ahead and see where we would love to be on New Year's Eve this year.
But one day at a time, eh? Like you say, you never know what's around the corner.
GT
Well done for breaking through the 100-day barrier!
I wish you luck for 2012. Stay gamble free and your debts will soon fade away. Enjoy Christmas when it comes!
Hi Michael...Happy New Year! Am so glad that we are both still here and both now doing so well! It took a few bumps in the road to get where we are but things are finally looking up!
I can't believe how fast the time has gone since May, it feels like yesterday that I joined this site! I don't like to wish time away but I hope the next year flies by so that I am in a better situation financially! Bring on that debt free date!!!
You are doing so well Michael, keep up the good work. I know that you are like me and let the debts get you down but we both need to accept that they are just going to be a fact of life for the next year or two. Lets try and remember to enjoy life as well as getting these debts down š
Lots of Love
Shorty xx
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