One step at a time

Oh and by the way I have used this site successfully before but complacency thinking I had beaten it got the better of me. So with complacency in mind I will scream if I don't do my daily check in, especially around pay day?

Well start of day 2 won't gamble today. Going to the gym with my husband who only suspects that I gamble. He has no idea how much I owe. He would be devastated. It's gonna take 4 and a half years to pay off. Every day must be a no gamble day and every pay day is a month closer to paying off my debt . Pay day next thurs.

Hi Strange, thanks for commenting on my diary. Glad your back to give it another go, hopefully this time both of us can turn our life around.

Without meaning to impose too much....will you ever tell your husband? It's such a big burden to carry on your own, the stress caused by that can't be good! My husband does know and it has caused issues, especially the day he decided to add up how much I'd spent over the years, that was kinda like a massive blow and made me feel physically sick, but as he says.....it's spent, we can't get it back. Him knowing has helped, it's meant that when I have been spending he's kept an eye on the bank and had a word about reigning it in a bit when it's got a bit out of hand, or giving me the extra encouragement when I've managed to go a period of time without spending.

Thanks only me. Sorry but I don't have any confidence to tell my husband. We have our own bank accounts so he doesn't know how much debt I'm in. I will clear it in 4.5 years. I'm in for the long haul and not gambling from now will actually reduce this time if I can stop ! so there's two reasons why I want to quit. Thanks for replying, I mean to check in every day.

Here we are day 3 . Went to the gym yesterday did 60 minutes cardio. Feels better than watching a slot machine and cost nothing. Still miss the buzz though. I have set myself a target of saving some money each month. That is something I haven't done in 5 years so. Pay day next Thursday gonna use this diary to see how much i can save

Morning Strange,

We have to find our own ways of making this work for us, we all have different life situations, I know for me personally the thought of my husband finding out was unbearable (I can't even really describe it, it was that bad), but once he knew it wasn't a "dirty secret" anymore, yes it's affected our relationship but as he tells me....he's still with me! Your situation is different to mine, you have seperate bank accounts, we have a joint account, you can get your finances sorted on your own, I need my husband to help sort ours as I'm a stay at home mum. Providing we both stay gamble free we will have the same outcome, just getting there a different way.

Glad you enjoyed your gym session yesterday, exercise is a fantastic way of relieving stress....not to mention the added bonus of getting fit and toning up....definitely would not get those from a slot machine!

Thanks only me. Just been again. I can't gamble this weekend cos I've no money! I get paid on Thursday and that's the danger time. I keep gambling as soon as I get paid and leave myself broke for the rest of the month. I really need to be focussed to ensure that I stay gamble free. Reading posts on here really help, appreciate your comments x

Well day 4 no gambling not posting much just checking in and reading other posts

Day 5 no gambling, no money but it's still on my mind. I am focusing and worrying about how I will be on Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday I will probably have about 50 quid in my bank which I could use to gamble before pay day. On Thursday I get paid. Whilst most of my bills will be paid for on day 1 via direct debit, I am left with about 500 to last the month. This is more than enough, hubby gets the food in so all I need is cash for petrol and expenses. However the last few months I have found myself scraping together money and leaving myself in desperate terms of an unexpected bill. This month I would like to try to save 100 to put away and manage on 400. Of course this is doable but I need to develop a strategy which takes away my access to cash.

I have always taken massive steps with step change to manage my debts. Now I need to sort me out! Come on you can do this!!

Hi Strange . Well done on day 5 !!. You could put any spare money you have into an account where you have to give notice if you want to get it out , like a higher interest account , usually 30 days I think ? . Just a thought ! Then that way you may be able to build a bit up? . Whatever you do , your doing well to think ahead like that . Just stay focused on how you want your life to be , maybe change your routine on Wed and Thurs . Anything you can think of to keep yourself busy ! You can do it you know you can and then you'll definately be the winner !!. Stay strong and have a good gamble free week . Alan who will not gamble today.....

Still no gambling pretty impossible without cash. Glad though, payday Thursday looking forward to having some money in my pocket. Have no intention of gambling, hate feeling broke, embarrassing when everyone at work is getting a carry out and I am having sandwiches. Gonna set my self realistic targets when I get paid first thing is to try to save 50 quid a month, have money in my pocket and enjoy perhaps buying myself some nice clothes.

Hiya Strange ! . You posted your last comment to me on dessieboy's page but don't worry , picked it up anyway !. Glad all's going well for you , sound's like you have your plan in place and great to hear you sounding so positive . I've no doubt your kids are well taken care of , you sound like a great mum and very proud of them and you should be as equally proud of yourself for the changes your making to your life !!. Enjoy the takeaway on Thursday with your mates at work and having that all important few quid in your pocket .. !!! Have a great gamble free day , Alan who will not gamble today !

Thanks Alan I am at work on payday and I always have either taken time off to call into the slots on the way home . This week I am determined to come straight home to avoid losing my cash. It's a big test but I know I can come through it x

never ever will I gamble again it's just ridiculous!MM! Well British Gas have decided to take out double the direct debit this month!!! So I have about 4 quid till Thursday. My own fault for not focusing on what is important .! Missed that they missed last months and gambled it away. Never again!