Gambling or happiness, because you can't have both

Day 28/ 4 weeks

4 Weeks down and I'm feeling great about it. No urges yet with the Premier League just days away.

On the same day the Premier League kicks off I'll be 1 month gamble free, a decent milestone.

But more importantly the day after I'm jetting off for 2 weeks for a well earnt rest. I couldn't be more excited.

Paul

Really accurate post there mate, I understand exactly what you're going through as I'm currently battling the same problem right now. I really do wish you all the best in your recovery you seem like a good dude! All the best pal

Thanks mate. It's all just about finding little wins in this battle isn't it. I hope yours go smoothly and you beat the addiction.

Paul

Day 31.

One month down, the football starts tonight, I don't have a penny on it but I'm so excited for it. More importantly we have a busy day of packing and tidying for tomorrow we are on holiday, 2 whole weeks in scorching Gran Canaria. Cant. Bloody. Wait.

I'm about a year at least of saving away from saying I deserve something given what I've done but I will enjoy this holiday massively and can feel extremely happy with the steps I've taken. One month is a very long time for a man who used to gamble on absolutely every sport going.

I won't post again until I'm back but I will never stop thinking about it. What I done will never be forgotten, but the thoughts that fill my head these days are mainly what life will be like post gambling and how excited I am to recoup them horrible losses.

Get me on that plane!!!!!

Paul

Well done on the month! Enjoy your holiday mate and rememver to post when you get back! Have a a good one!

Jay

Thanks mate. Don't worry it won't leave my mind for a long time to come yet.

The great thing is betting laws prevent you from betting online abroad so no matter how much temptation I can't gamble.

Paul

Day 47

Came back from holiday yesterday, had too much to do to think about this website but quick update that I'm still gamble free. I can see live and my finances so much easier.

Will fully update tomorrow, big 50 approaching, just like Money Mayweather last night.

Thanks

Day 49

Holiday was amazing, much better than I expected with the amount of people coming.

But my eyes were opened again.

On one of the nights all hell broke loose. The reason behind it was some members of the group wasted all their money on a certain sniffable substance.

It was the topic for days as 2 members of our group spent everything they had and needed bailing our big time. There was talk of thier addiction and that they need help, and how idiotic and irresponsible it was for them to throw all thier money away on an addiction.

I sat back quietly thinking this is exactly what I have done. It opened my eyes to the devastation it would cause if everyone found out what I done 50 days ago. 50 days seems a long time ago and most of the losses I have I've got over by this point. This one it's impossible to get over because I have to find a way of repaying an awful lot of money (way more than me and wife took on holiday combined) before we explore houses. My missus began this conversation (of moving) while on holiday so I now have the horrible task of stalling her for a year so I can secretly repay the money to our house fund. It makes me feel absolutely dreadful.

But I'm stating positive, have a solid plan and most importantly am throwing no more money away on gambling.

I managed to get a new credit card yesterday (sounds dangerous but it's the opposite). I was fighting against £50-60 a month in interest so never saw my balance going down much. This new card has 3 years interest free balance transfer. This allows me to not worry about interest, so I can pay off my credit card slower, meaning I can repay the debt quicker so hopefully (if my calculations are correct) I will have the debt repaid and then just a few grand left on my credit card which my missus knows about and can then be open and honest, and hopefully move forward and into our first bought house early 2019.

Life is really s**t right now, but it was our choice and we both know where the end goal is. 14 months is the target to be completely debt free and then be moving into a house of our own, back with our family.

If that isn't motivation to keep this non gambling up I'll never achieve it.

Thanks
Paul

Day 51

Got paid today, and with holiday over (wahhhhhhh) today marks the start of a long, difficult but very rewarding year of repaying the money I lost, clearing my debts and getting my life started.

10 long months. I've never wanted time to fly more than I do now. I've got 12 payday's of getting paid, taking a chunk off of my repayments and then living like a pauper for 27 days.

But it will be so worth It, I've just gotta stay strong and keep the non gambling up, that will be the difference.

When you gamble, you don't spend money on anything else, so I should be able to live on very little working capital. I've gotta stay strong until the new year and then I will begin to see what a difference I'm making.

Here's to my next 50 days of no gambling.

Thanks
Paul

Hi WilliamsEight9

Just popping by to say great post - you've got it in one; we don't spend money on anything else when we gamble. Ergo, when we don't gamble, we are excellent money managers. In other words, we actually - ironically - have "more" money than non-gamblers because we truly know the value of it!

Being Gambling-Free is truly the only place to be.

That's spot on. I've been working our some budgets going forward, I wrote down my incomings then I write down my bills and repayments and such and then I stare at the paper and think 'what else do I spend money on' the answer is nothing. Crazy really

Thank you for your comments

Another week began yesterday, another week of no gambling.

Can't wait to get to a new year and genuinely think "There's a very good chance I might not gamble a penny in 2018".

Thanks

Paul