Hello Everyone. This is my Journey so far.
Today I gambled. I'm determined to make it the last time. I'll try to make this story as quick as I can becasue it's similar to a lot of others. 18 years old I started gambling. I'm 20 years old now. No savings to my name, and I'm on a £300 a month debt management plan. So sad.. 2 years hard work and nothing to my name apart from debt. Disgusting. Genuinely hate myself.
With the debt management plan all my debt will be paid off in 2 years time, I will be 23 years old. As for my money situation at the minute, it worries me. I have NO savings, just living payday to payday. I will start to put money away and it should slowly build up. But everytime I think about it I just get angry at myself for what I have done.
I have told the closest person to me. But I haven't told them about my lapse. My friends know, but they gamble too. So most conversation is based around gambling. When will I learn, when will I stop..
Obviously the goal is to stay gamble free, I also have a personal goal to save £4000 saved by the end of the year. Bearing in mind I have nothing at the moment, that could be tough. My expenses per month also mount up to quite a bit of my monthly wage.. We'll see.. I'm not going to blab on too much. I have all the blocks under the sun. I always find ways around them.
Hello, welcome to the forum. If your poison was online, then get yourself registered to GamStop. It’ll completely cut out all your online options to gamble. Best thing I’ve ever done.
Best of luck.
Dan
DeterminedDan wrote:
Hello, welcome to the forum. If your poison was online, then get yourself registered to GamStop. It’ll completely cut out all your online options to gamble. Best thing I’ve ever done.
Best of luck.
Dan
Hello - Yes already signed up to this. I sometimes gamble through friends accounts though, they always allow me to when I ask, and obviously dont want to cut my friends out of my life. I'm trying my best at the moment.
Day 1 - Mixture of emotions today. Annoyed, upset but somehow.. after all that I've put myself through, I'm excited for what's in store for me. No idea how/why. I can't remember the last time I went 2 weeks without a gamble. So I'm sure that when I get to this 14 day mark, I will be well on my way to cracking this horrible nightmare. The money is gone and I can not get it back. The next few months are going to be very tough, I won't see a significant improvement in my financial situation until June time, which is reality is only 2/3 months. But for a person like me this is a lifetime.. I can do this. One day at a time. Bring on Day 2.
Day 2 - Paid tomorrow, but not looking forward to it, so much money being paid out for debts and stuff.. Long road ahead.
I’ve been in a similar situation to what you’ve been in mate, I’m 26 been working since I was 19 gambled quite a lot in that time and it much to show, I was in 2k of debt last September and needed to pay it off with peoples birthdays and Christmases coming up. It can be hard but I’m 5 months down the line and now I’m putting money away and paying for things in one go like my car insurance etc so I’m saving a lot over the year for other stuff. Just get through the first couple of months and that isn’t long and you’ll be in a lot happier place and thank yourself for not getting in the same situation again. Plus cause you’re 20 I would advise you to use what money you got spare towards a holiday with your friends or clubbing. Don’t regret it like I did where I missed out on that when I was younger, ruined relationships for me and no where near buying a house. You’ve got a lot of time left mate don’t think of the short term think of the long term. When you’re my age you’ll have a lot of money saved and a lot of memories and that will be from stopping gambling! Feel free to always voice your opinions as well until you’re in a better financial situation it’ll help you get through this!
Thanks,
Ash
Stopping123 wrote:
I’ve been in a similar situation to what you’ve been in mate, I’m 26 been working since I was 19 gambled quite a lot in that time and it much to show, I was in 2k of debt last September and needed to pay it off with peoples birthdays and Christmases coming up. It can be hard but I’m 5 months down the line and now I’m putting money away and paying for things in one go like my car insurance etc so I’m saving a lot over the year for other stuff. Just get through the first couple of months and that isn’t long and you’ll be in a lot happier place and thank yourself for not getting in the same situation again. Plus cause you’re 20 I would advise you to use what money you got spare towards a holiday with your friends or clubbing. Don’t regret it like I did where I missed out on that when I was younger, ruined relationships for me and no where near buying a house. You’ve got a lot of time left mate don’t think of the short term think of the long term. When you’re my age you’ll have a lot of money saved and a lot of memories and that will be from stopping gambling! Feel free to always voice your opinions as well until you’re in a better financial situation it’ll help you get through this!
Thanks,
Ash
Thanks a lot for your comment mate. Knowing that you've been in basically the exact same position gives me hope. I keep telling myelf that a few months is all I need to get my mind back on track. I haven't gone 30 days without a bet since I started gambling (last 2 year). I hope youre doing good in your recovery.
I'm going to take a break from my page for a few days. I want to clear my mind a little bit. Think of any more blocks that I can put in place, sign back up to the gym, and do some other bits. I'm then going to start back on this page on the 1st of April, from day 1. Although I'm not gambling right now. But it'll just be easier for me. Hopefully I can get my mind into gear in the next 6 days. See you all soon!
Almost a week later, I'm back. Tomorrow is the 1st of April. I've blocked all my accounts, FOBT's have now changed limit so wont bother going in them anymore. This is were I take control of my gambling problem. For the last time. Tomorrow will be day 1, I will not gamble anymore.
I can easily get stressed about money but I'm trying my best not to think about it. With so much going on it's difficult not to think about it. See you tomorrow.
Tomorrow is the start of a new month.
And the start of a new you.
NT
Day 1 - I've been here many times before, this time I'm determined to stop. I'm upset about the money I've lost, but it will come back over time through hard work, not gambling. I'm not going to think too far ahead but in a years time I will be so happy that I decided to stop on April 1st!
Day 2 - Not thought about gambling. Lot's going on involving my career at the moment, exciting but may have to tell my debt management plan about salary changes come september. But I'm trying not to think about that too much at the moment. Money is also very tight for the month. But as long as I don't gamble, it will not get worse.
Day 4 - All good so far. Nearing the weekend which is usually where I'd have a bet. I've had the opportunity to gamble so far, and have chosen not to. I will continue to do so. Hope everyone is ok.
Day 5 - No gambling.
Day 1 - Messed up, had a bet on the grand national on the weekend, then decided to lose £200. Well, I didn't decide to lose money, but that's always what happens isn't it.. I've found ways to get around GamBan, so It's essentially useless on my computer. I'm already signed up to GamStop but unfortunately you can get around that too. I can't keep doing this. Week in, week out. I'm making no progress, financially and on this journey. Can't keep doing this to myself.
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