Ground zero

Smashing my way towards Friday evening - the last day in the office this year and the completion of 50 days without gambling. I cannot wait.

You're not the only one counting!

Treat yourself to an extra mince and glass of water.

I have exhausted my supply of mince pies. Pub lunch with colleagues today. I got paid the other day and have loosened the purse strings slightly even though I am on a tight budget for the next twelve months at least. Still need to buy some presents, cards and wrapping paper.

Day 48: no gambling today.

I have not had any urges to gamble recently, but my gambling debts still depress me on a regular basis and I sometimes think that a few large bets could turn things around; however, in reality, I know gambling would just make things much, much, much worse. I have still got at least £12k of debt around my neck. I am viewing the debt as my punishment for my ridiculous, out-of-control gambling behaviour this year. Hopefully I will come out of this a stronger, more prudent and more disciplined person. Roll on Christmas 2012!

Just checked my credit report. It is classified as Poor with a score of 561 (out of 1,000). I am not happy. Hopefully it will improve somewhat in the new year as my debts go down and my active credit accounts mature month-by-month. My current level of credit card and loan debt is £11,025 plus a £2,000 overdraft, which I tend to max-out before payday each month. At least I have not defaulted on any payments and I hope it stays that way. All of this is a result of gambling. What a fool I have been.

It would save me a lot of trouble if I just copied and pasted your diary entries into mine, since they mirror my own in so many ways. I've the same debt as you, 2.5k overd, 7k loans, the rest on cc, I've given up knocking down the cc at the moment since I just can't do it, and I'm paying way too much interest every month on it and to the bank. Still, at least I'm afloat for now, and I have time to repair it.

Money was all looking so good 6 months ago before my incredible binge, and happy as I am that I seem to be on top of it at present, it doesn't half p1ss me off sometimes.

BTW, I think I will copy that for today's entry on mine!!

Just to throw my debts into the mix because we are like the 3 musketeers

I have a total 15,500 over two credit cards and a loam which are condensed into a debt management plan

I have a 600 wonga loan outstanding

I have a 12,500 student loan which I pay back at a generous £45 per month when the interest is £27 per month

All of this is due to gambling seeing as my uni fees didn't come out of my loan. My my I would have a lovely house and big tv long ago by now

Oh but I don't, I live at home at 29, rock and roll!!

Day 49: no gambling today.

tick tock...

Having just read Fool's post, I feel awful. It puts everything into perspective. Our obsession with gambling and debt management is a nonsense when compared to the fragility of life itself. Please lend Fool your support at this difficult time.

I have reached Day 50 and am now looking to build on this over the coming weeks and months. I am at work today but not going to achieve much - I did not arrive until 10.15am and am going to take a two-hour lunch break today before finishing no later than 5pm. On another note, I am still feeling upset on behalf of Fool. Terrible news for him at Christmas.

Happy anniversary, Merry Christmas and a gamble-free New Year.

Day 50: no gambling today.

I now have two full weeks off from work and I am going to try to make the most of them. I will return to my office on Monday, 9th January bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I need to impose harsh new austerity measures in the new year but, for now, I am going to try to enjoy Christmas as much as I can. I ended up spending a lot more money on presents than I had intended, but I think they were all thoughtful and should go down well. I certainly cannot afford to spend any more money this year as the funds have dried up. I have just enough money for the train home to my parents tomorrow and I will then have to rely on them for food and drink for the next week or so. I usually love this time of year but I currently have a bitter taste in my mouth from this year's excessive gambling and the resultant debts I have racked up. Still, if I do not gamble, the debts will gradually go down. Here's to a gamble-free Christmas!