Hello,
This is more of a diary that I can look at to keep track of my progress, and is completely for my personal benefit. But if anyone else would like to chat then please feel free. This isn't only a diary for me to stop gambling, but is also a diary for me to try and get my savings together and sort out my finances. I have another Diary open, but have recently had a gamble so cannot continue it and it is almost payday so I thought this would be a good time to start fresh again.
Let me start from the beginning. I am 19 years old and have a semi decent job at the moment with good prospects. The money isnt great, but I'm thinking more long term. I can learn a lot of new skills, and move up in the business. Anyway, when I turnt 18 years old I got given a nice amount of money which I managed to hold onto. I also had savings from when I was a born. Somehow I managed to hold on to this for my whole life, until I got a job. As soon as I got a job I managed to spend all my savings, and all the money that was previously given to me. On top of this I have been working this job for 8 months and have nothing to show for it. As you can guess, the majority of it has been going on gambling. Which is ridiculous. How can I have thousands of pounds for years but then as soon as I get a job I managed to spend it?
It honestly makes me feel terrible. I just want that money back. My parents know that this money is gone now aswell. Having worked for 8 months with nothing to show makes me feel even worse. I now understand that the money is gone and there is nothing I can do to get it back. By the end of the year I want to be out of this hole that I'm currently in and have my finances sorted. Possibly have this money back in my savings if I can. But more importantly, to be gamble free until the end of the year, the year after that, and the year after that.
Day 1 - So today is day 1 of not gambling. Payday is this Thursday and I've got lots of things to pay out for. I'm about £40 overdraft, so £40 will go straight back. I've got a holiday coming up in June so I've got payday coming up and May payday to pay the rest of this off. Then after travel, rent, food and other expenses I wont be left with a lot. But whatever is left over will be going straight into my savings account and will not be touched unless absolutely necessary. I am determined and I will reach my goals.
Day 2 - Today is day number two. I need to take each day as it comes and try not to think too far ahead of myself, as this makes me feel very overwhelmed. The money I have wasted gambling is gone and I can earn it back by working hard. Day by day.
Day 3 - Painful dealing with the fact that I’ve thrown away lots of money that I could of used for lots of different things. Constantly wishing I never got into gambling. In months time I’ll look back and feel accomplished that I started this. Day 3 gamble free
Exactly, imagine in a few months when you can look back and say 'look what I have done with my money & time without giving it all to the gambling companies'! Keep on keeping on, those days will come thick and fast : )
jamdownunder wrote:
Exactly, imagine in a few months when you can look back and say 'look what I have done with my money & time without giving it all to the gambling companies'! Keep on keeping on, those days will come thick and fast : )
Thanks for your comment, yes I promise myself I will stay gamble free and will thank myself in following months
Day 4 - Tomorrow is payday, going to be a bit of a test but the majority of this months pay is being dished out to different things like holidays and more, whatever’s left I’ll just put into savings. Not thought about gambling today.
Hi Unknown I’m sorry to hear what you have been going through...I wish I had been brave enough at 19 to make the decision to stop gambling. 20 years and thousands and thousands of pounds later I made the same step as you.
I am going to be honest with you though and I hope you can see that I am trying to be constructive and hope you don’t end up in the same mess as I did.
From what you have written here you seem to be mainly focussing on the money you have lost but not really thought about why you feel the need to gamble. Have you thought about confiding in your parents as to why all your money has gone? Dealing with it on your own can be a lonely place. Get them to educate themselves on it so they know what is the best way to help you….it would be a big step if you are serious about stopping (which I am sure you are).
Will power is a fantastic thing but once that little thought about having a small bet comes into your head then it does become very hard to fight off doesn’t it? As ineffable has said, get those strong blocks in place so that you have a bit of time to cosider what you are doing.
Anyway I won’t say much more but to say I wish you well and that I’ll keep an eye on your diary to see how you are getting on.
Damo
Day 7 - Today is Sunday and marks a week since the last time I gambled. Since Friday, payday has come and I have split my pay into different accounts for holidays and things. The thought of gambling did come into my head with all the football on but I stopped myself and kept busy. Tommorow I’m back to work and will give it my all to make it a second week gamble free. Thanks for all the comments and positive thoughts
Nice one for getting a week off keep up the good work
Day 8 - Still going strong, closed more accounts that I forgot I had just to protect myself even more. Organised money a little bit better for the rest of the month. Looking forward to holiday in June 🙂
Day 9 - Strangely motivated today, been thinking about my goals for the end of this year. Still a long way to go, going to keep on top of my savings and by the end of the year would have saved the money back that I’ve wasted over the past year. That will feel like a huge accomplishment. I understand that if I keep going, the time it’ll take to save the money back will get longer and longer. That’s why this stops now. Day 9 gamble free.
Day 10 - Double figures. Was wondering last night how I’ve been so blind to what I’ve been doing the last months and year. If I keep this up then I will start to see some very positive effects, especially in June. Gutted I hadn’t stopped earlier.
Day 11 - Trying not to get ahead of myself and think too much about the days in front of me. Just focusing on taking this day by day and concentrate on what’s happening now. The start of this will be the hardest, I will look back in a few months and be so happy with myself that I am doing this. Hope everyone else has a good day.
Day 12 - Friday today and time for the weekend and a bank holiday Monday! Lots of football on over the weekend but determined to keep my head straight and not bet. Done very well so far and almost at two weeks.
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