My Diary - Day by Day

You are amazing!! xx

To watch your partner gamble and then take on the stress as well and then not gamble yourself is truly strong and determind of you.

Keep your guard up and don't do what I've done in the past which is try to salvage the situation by gambling to 'win it back' to make everything better. We all know that doesn't work!

In it together xx

Well done girl,

Suzanne xxx

I know that 'win it back' feeling. Decided to change 1 of my rewards - bought myself a tattoo - bit crazy - never had 1 before and petrified of needles but hey ho 🙂

Sorry not the best pic - couldn't rotate it

As much as i hate to admit it i am still feeling tempted!

As others have said, you're in a difficult position as your partner gambles.

Stay strong, you've shown the strength of character you have by abstaining for this long.

Don't throw that away now, you don't deserve it, you'll hate yourself if you do.

Stay strong.

Keep pushing through, these thoughts will diminish, and you will feel even more back on form.

Keep strong

Suzanne xxx

Day 232 - 23/9/15

Thanks 🙂 Another day done! Beautiful Paige 5 months old today - she is worth it if nothing else - my inspiration

Hey happy 5 months old Paige, :)))) hey she sure is worth it, but don't forget that you are sooo much worth it too.

Have a good strong gambling free day

Suzanne xxx

wants2stop wrote:

PREVIOUS FINANCIALS -

Savings £585 - NEW AIM £750

Paige Savings £195 - NEW AIM £250

Debt £6238.82 - NEW AIM £5000

UPDATED -

Savings £735

Paige Savings £225

Debt £5837

Getting close to my aims 🙂

Financials Update -

Savings £560 (savings gone down as i have been buying xmas presents + my tattoo)

Paige Savings £230

Debt £5781

I am saving to cope when my maternity pay goes down and to hopefully have longer off with Paige unpaid - therefore at some point i will have no savings again as long as Paige's savings going up and debt going down i am happy. If i was still gambling there would be NO savings and my debt would be huge.

wants2stop wrote:

Day 52 - 27/3/15

Its day 52 and payday too. Complete today for my next 'reward' Its already booked for Monday (a pedicure) so looking forward to that too.

Not only am i thinking about 'rewards' I am hoping that by stopping the gambling i am going to be better off financially - it has got me into a lot of debt over time and its going to take a long time to get rid of it but as long as its going down and not up its going the right way.

So here are a few financial aims by the end of the year -

Have over 250 in savings

Save over 100 for baby in JISA

Reduce my debt to under 8000 (currently stands at 9908.52)

Will review these at the end of the year and see if i have managed to do it. Going to be hard as i am going to have a lower income (maternity pay not great and higher expenses but hopefully i will do it - averages to approx 250 per month which may be difficult but i know i wasted more than that on gambling)

Keep going guys - onto better things and better lives....

Just looked back on my diary to see when i first made my financial 'aims' It was Day 52 and look how far i have come in such a short time (compared to how long i gambled for)

I have smashed all the original aims and in 180 days saved £560 for me £230 for Paige (who now has a name rather than baby!) and reduced my debt by an AMAZING £4127! Surprised myself.

Needed more motivation lately as been getting urges - this is enough motivation for me!!!

Just popped in as feeling tempted again 🙁

Happy 5 months little motivator x

Good skills on looking back at all you have achieved to combat those recent urges. The tattoo was also a great move! Been thinking about it myself too. People say it can be addictive. Paying once for something meaningful that lasts forever sounds good in comparison to gambling slots to me! 🙂

Stay strong, you're amazing! In it together x

Rednow wrote:

Paying once for something meaningful that lasts forever sounds good in comparison to gambling slots to me! 🙂

And it is meaningful 🙂 Thanks for the support - goes to show doesnt matter how many days you have been gamble free for the urges come and go! Makes it a little easier with support and knowing we are not alone xxx

Just been looking back on past posts - a good bit of advice from someone:

Yes, one day at a time. One hour or one minute if the moment warrents it. Remember, most urges will pass within 3 minutes and then subside. Fight for those 3 minutes at a time if need be.

Day 233 - 24/9/15

Payday tomorrow - hopefully my maternity pay hasnt dropped yet. Fingers crossed!