Day 242.
That year mark is creeping up quickly. Mad to think about how I could never have imagined this 243 days ago!
Had a nice break away at the weekend. Nice to forget about work and relax. Missed most of the snow which was good but did have a long drive in some pretty nasty rain and road conditions. Aquaplaned several times and was glad to get back. Long day at work today, followed by another 3 so I’m bed already.
Work Xmas doo soon and then I have a trip to London. Tight month, but putting in the overtime and saving for it has really helped. Got no worries about not having money for bills which is a first for me over Xmas. Not going to be a flashy Xmas, but it will be a Xmas paid for by my own money and not some dodgy loan.
Off to bed. Absolutely shattered.
Stay strong 💪
Day 244.
Well my plan for being debt free by the new year looks like it’s a no go. My ex has been made redundant so needs to talk about repaying my share of the house. Strange situation. She insisted on solicitors. Cost me lots of money. Added an interest cause for late payment which works in my favour. Not sure how I feel now. I caused this split, but, and it’s a big but, she was happy to throw our marriage away and see me with nothing. I was gutted. I thought I meant more than that even though I hurt her. Nothing is a big statement.
i know ill fold and be a nice guy. I never meant this. I didn’t want this. I’ll be nice, even though it’s going to impact my credit score indefinitely now. Plan B is in force. I’ll be debt free soon. I’ve worked hard, but I can’t see her suffer more. I’ll take the hit.
Gambling has taken everything and it keeps on giving but I won’t let it take another life. I’ll be ok. It will be much tighter than I thought, but I have to pay for what I’ve done.
Meeting with ex in next few days. Not sure how this will play out with my future. Might have to find a cheaper place. Might have to go hungry for a while, but I think we can work something out.
Was nearly there, but the resolve is strong. Set back with debts, 💯 determination with not gambling
Stay strong 💪
@p6z38njbqm Sorry to hear this Fish 🐟😢. That cliche “life has its ups and downs” is a sure statement! It’s not the best feeling when you get paid out with your pension for it to then have to go on something else, you would rather it didn’t have to 🤨. Same with me, having to fork out 6k for 3 implants and then an upfront cost for our apartment block to have our side windows replaced 😤.
Ona positive, it’s good that we have both had the opportunity for these funds to come our way - I certainly wasn’t expecting mine from my small second pension I had so I am thankful for small mercies AND relieved that I actually have the money for my upcoming dental costs.
Stay strong, stay committed, stay positive and just enjoy how far you have come so far 👏👏👏. The rest will fall back into place if you continue to work hard.
Rooting for you Fish 🐟💙.
Your friend Pink Lady 🩷🍎
@p6z38njbqm Life is certainly giving you a tough ride at the moment :(.
However I think its from the past year the resilience you have built up that you can and will overcome it I am sure. All the best for the next couple of days...:)
Thanks guys, much appreciated comments as always.
Day 245.
Met with my ex today to discuss things. We have come to an arrangement that helps her out. Doesn't really help me out, but I'm happy with it. My debt will not be cleared by end of the year. My credit report will keep being hurt for a little while longer yet, but I suppose it's the least I can do.
New plan is to be debt free by May. I should have a settlement from my MOD pension by then which will cover it. Until then I'll continue to pay down my debt and live a poor but happy life. I wont have to find a cheaper place. I will still be able to treat myself occasionally. The arrangement with my ex allows me to continue as I am.
Not the end to the year I worked so hard to achieve, but it's not the end of the world, and I won't drag my ex down any more than I already have.
On the plus side, this has made me hate gambling even more, so every cloud and all that!
Stay strong 👍
@p6z38njbqm So happy to hear that you won’t have to move out of your new little home you have been building Fish 🐟👌. May will soon be here and that is nothing in comparison to some of us who have a good way to go before we are debt free. I still say though, as long as we are reducing our debt each month, no matter how small, it is still an improvement on the month before and that’s good enough for me!😬.
Take care.
Pink Lady 🩷🍎.
Day 248
Spend a lovely weekend with a friend and a kitten. Got scratched to bits 😂. Got the dog tonight and I’m sure he can smell cat on me. He’s been right up in my face all day 😂
Another nice night in the chat room. Great to see people doing well with some big numbers. Good to see some new faces too. Not good to hear their stories, but good to see them seeking help. We all have to start somewhere and 1 day quickly becomes 1 week. Then quickly a large debt becomes a slightly less large debt. If we all keep going for 1 day, the end of this nightmare gets 1 day closer. Soon that part of us will be gone and we can enjoy our own money and live our own life’s free from the harm caused by our previous habit.
December 1st today. Today I decided that next year I will achieve 3 things.
1. I will be debt free
2. I will hit my year gf point
3. I will move on with my life and live it how it should be lived
Basically, next year I will be an adult. A proper adult! Can’t wait!!!!
Stay strong 💪
They sound like goals we can all aspire to, great work 🙂
Day 250.
That has a nice ring to it! It’s only a number, but it’s my number. Watching it grow is my new addiction. I don’t ever want to see it return to day 1. It’s a handy way of signposting my achievements. First a day, then a week, then double figures etc. Each one has meant something.
Work tomorrow, then a day off, then a weekend involving a Xmas party and my birthday. I feared I’d be alone for my birthday this year, but luckily I’ll be with friends. Only because it coincides with the Xmas party, but I’ll take it 😂.
There’s been a few new people in the chat rooms lately. Those who return daily are doing well. The numbers are stacking up and they sound confident. Can’t recommend enough how important it is to keep coming back. This will not go away with 1 visit. I’m 250 days in and still attend most nights. You want to quit, you have to put the effort in. Everyone is friendly, and they all give great advice. Come on in and say hi. Then say hi again! Before long you’ll be giving your advice.
Stay strong 💪
@p6z38njbqm Deserves a round of applause that does Fish 🐟💙👏👏👏👏👏. Still on your tail though!😆.
Enjoy your day off and Birthday celebrations and don’t forget to reward yourself for yet another special milestone! 😬.
Take care.
Your friend Pink Lady 🩷🍎.
Congrats on the 250 @pinklady. Great to see you continuing the same path as me. We started this near enough together, we posted on each others diaries early on, and we are both enjoying the rewards of our first Christmas in forever where money is not a concern. Stress free December!! Well deserved.
Day 254
Xmas party/birthday party done. Was pretty sensible and didn’t drink a huge amount. Still had a great night and enjoyed my room in the hotel. Upgraded to a suite to celebrate in style! Also used the hotel gym and had a good workout prior to drinking. Burn off the calories, then put them back on😂.
Got the dog for next couple of days then off to London for 3 nights. Quite excited about that. First ‘holiday’ since quitting. Not really a holiday but I’ll have time to explore a little. Going to go to the natural history museum and have a wander round the sights.
Will be in the chat room tonight, even though I’m already in bed. Too old for this drinking malarkey!
Stay strong 💪
Congrats on the 250 Fish. Inspiring as ever. Merry Christmas!
Day 256.
Offline a few days. Seems weird to be heading off to London. A little hit of work, but mostly time away. Staying with a friend and whilst they are working I’ll be touring the city. Got a few plans. Nice to forget about work and life for a bit.
Got some good news today. I’ve been taking everyone I took a loan from to the ombudsman for irresponsible lending. That’s now the second loan that has been deemed as irresponsible. Some more money off my debts. Won’t name the company, but it was deemed they took no look at all at my situation and were ordered to pay back any interest and charges. My fault for taking out the loan, but their fault for happily accepting it at silly interest rates. Definitely worth pursuing if you are in the same boat. Whilst we are all responsible for our actions, I do think some loan companies need to to be held to account for how easily they throw money at people, especially at the rates they will happily offer.
Back in 3 days.
Stay strong 💪
Great stuff Fish.
It feels good to get the money back from the loan company doesn't it?!? For me it wasn't the amount it was the validation of knowing that while I was responsible for the gambling the support just wasn't in place to help people like us address the issues.
Have an amazing time in London. I usually head to the British Museum when I get the chance. Make sure you treat yourself for all of your hard work, it is well deserved.
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