Focus on the future, because in the future you haven't gambled

Have been feeling rough all day don't know if it's a cold or worry for the date but text the girl and we will meet up on sunday now. She was very understanding and I hope to get plenty of rest and be ready for Sunday night, have been reading a lot of posts this evening instead to make myself feel better which has worked.

Get well soon and good luck for Sunday 🙂

Glad you're feeling a little better reading posts on here too... Certainly replaced a lot of my gambling time

Clare x

111 days free of gambling.
8*8 (e***************t) pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 186 days = 1488

Couple of significant figures there 111 being a well known cricket myth that you will be out next ball. Not me, I have left my gambling on cricket a long time ago. I recall a few times when I would sit for hours on end watching the scores on my phone. Painfully slow way to lose money.

The other number 8*8 (e***************t) is a website I was using for far too long and was where I lost my biggest ever bet. 3200 quid on an aussie rules game that looked to be a dead cert as the team were over 30 points up. I actually had it on the tv too as no one was home and have never felt so helpless as I watched all that money fall away.

Never ever again.!!!

So anyway feeling a bit more refreshed this morning after a long sleep but still a headache from a slight cold I must have picked up.

Still not decided how to jazz up my diary yet but I'm sure it will come to me next week.

112 days free of gambling.
896 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 187 days = 1496

Days to payday - 11
Days left before next holiday - 22
Potential money to save from not gambling before next holiday - 176

Avoided any accumulators on the footy yesterday while at the pub with mates and basically said I don't fancy one on the fa cup as it's so unpredictable, which is true and not one of my friends won anything.

Also avoiding it today and just watching whatever is on tv hoping for an underdog to win.

took read at your story, well done mate, i so wish i had stopped at your age, i have missed out on so much, keep up the good work

113 days free of gambling.
904 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 188 days = 1504

Days to payday - 10
Days left before next holiday - 21

Enjoying it at work today getting back into a bit of routine. Although I enjoyed being lazy over the holiday I don't think it was good for my brain or body.

Cant wait for a good kick around tomorrow too, try to trim a bit of fat I've gained.

Great post Dan,

Sound and positive.

Suzanne xx

115 days free of gambling.
920 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 190 days = 1520

Days to payday - 8
Days left before next holiday - 19

So didn't get chance to check in yesterday so always nice having that number go up a bit more.

Have a bit of money coming out of my account that I forgot about which is stressing me a bit although not long to payday so am ok.

Date again tonight after Sunday had to be rearrange hope all goes well but can't wait for it to be over as I don't feel I can relax properly.

116 days free of gambling.
928 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 191 days = 1528

Days to payday - 7
Days left before next holiday - 18

Had a nice comment from work today about something I totally forgot about. At our Christmas party back in mid Dec, slightly drunk I must admit, I helped a man and his wife look for their wedding ring that they lost and managed to find it. They again said to me today that they are so pleased I found it.

Another instance where if I was glued to my phone and checking a bet I wouldn't have even noticed that they had lost a ring.

Sort of cheered me up as I had been feeling tired and drained at work. Also went for a nice walk with a colleague at lunch and it was sunny and hot on our backs, so actually not too bad a day really.

118 days free of gambling.
944 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 193 days = 1544

Days to payday - 5
Days left before next holiday - 16

So again pretty distracted and haven't had chance to update for a couple of days. Had a great couple of days, bouldering on Thurs night and skiing session Fri night at a snowdome in preperation for my trip at the end of Jan.

Have enjoyed keeping myself busy although costs are starting to build up but payday soon so should be ok.

Thanks NT, always good to remember this as can get complacent. I have plans on paying out a lot of this payday money pretty quick so that should take temptation away and I'll be pretty busy with work and upcoming holidays 🙂

119 days free of gambling.
952 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 194 days = 1552

Days to payday - 4
Days left before next holiday - 15

Forgot to mention that I had a great bit of new on Friday. My credit rating increased again 🙂 this after paying off a credit card in Dec and having more money in my bank 🙂 only going to get better too now I have one less thing to pay off.

So yesterday spent a lot of time at my great aunties house clearing old clothes, books etc.. so the house can be sold, I would have usually made an excuse so I could sit home and watch the Saturday footy and bet but this was a great way to put closure on something and I actually enjoyed seeing all old things my auntie had including diaries, christmas lists, photo albums etc...

So could have gone out drinking last night but was too knackered and wanted to save a bit more money. Ready for footy now for first time since before Christmas. Wish me luck.

121 days free of gambling.
968 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 196 days = 1568

Days to payday - 2
Days left before next holiday - 13

Well if I didn't believe in karma before. I do now.

Earlier today received news that my great uncle has passed away after failing to recover from a stroke he had just before Christmas.

Just makes you realise how quickly time has passed while I used to stare at my stupid phone and throw my money away and ignore my family and friends. If this isn't a wake up call I don't know what is.

Feel so annoyed that I didn't spend more time with him in the past 3/4 years, luckily I knocked this addition in the head and managed to see him quite a bit while in hospital and before but it can't take away all the missed opportunities I did have to spend with him.

Sorry for divulging into my personal life but I'm annoyed at myself but also showing to others how gambling is such a waste of time and we miss what is important in life most.

Go out and enjoy your life and enjoy it with company or with mother nature, not couped up on phones or in a bookies.

Rst.

Hi Dan,

I've been following your diary for a while now but never commented because you always seem to have your head screwed on...or as screwed on as any gambler can.

Just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I completely agree with your post. Going through a similar situation myself at the moment with an Auntie, cancer in her case. I'm gutted I've wasted so much time over the years that should have been put to better use but also pleased that I started the road to recovery a few months ago so I have been spending more quality time with her.

Don't be too hard on yourself, it may seem like you've wasted a lot of time but thankfully you changed things before it was too late.

Thinking of you at this awful time, take care of yourself
Jess x

124 days free of gambling.
992 pounds saved.
1441 paid off (long term debts)
0 spent on gambling
Money +- in last 199 days = 1592

Days to payday - 27
Days left before next holiday - 10

Thanks Jess for you post. Feeling really low at the moment and have a lot of money going out from my last payday so still struggling. Why is it all expenses come at the same time. Looks like the credit card I paid off last month is about to be used again.

Hope next payday will leave me in a better place. 27 days the count is on.