TallGirl seeks new financial freedom & hope to loose a few pounds on the way.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Hi,

Just checking in. Hope you and OH are doing well.

TallGirl

Thanks for the message MRN I don't know why I haven't seen it until now. All is well here with DH he even played 18 holes in a big fun comp at the club yesterday which was a major step. He is still doing well with the booze, sticking to low alcohol bitter or shandy. He has 2 glasses of low alcohol wine or a spritzer but we will check with the doctor on Wednesday.

I'm off to Denmark on Wednesday for 4 days but I think he will ok while I am away. He still repeats himself a lot but it's no where near as bad as it was. He miss his counselling last Weds I forgot to remind him and so did his dad. Got a letter from her so he is going next week and hopefully I can come along a session at some point.

So that is all the good news the bad news is that I have gambled again. I am not sure why did it guess bored with work and I did win quite a bit. I then played on and lost all bar £200 which I withdrew. I then for some reason played on another site and wasted £75. By now there was no stopping me (bad me) found a new site with £20 cash back. Played quite a bit broke even and withdrew but unfortunately you can reverse it for a while so did that. Played on and lost a lot down to my last £90. By now £450 down so thought what the hell. Spun one more time and won £12,000. Now I withdrew that ofcourse played on a bit and won and lost some more but ofcourse didn't deposit anymore.

I am really annoyed that I gambled again after 2 months without and I don't plan on doing anymore. I have however now sorted my ISA out for this year, plus got money to pay for our trip to SA and DH's 50th birthday in November. I can also clear a credit card that has £300 on it. Nice feeling but very annoyed that I even started in the first place.

Sorry for the long post slapped wrist from TG

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Oh TG,

Glad you OH is taking positive steps and that you are there for him and being supportive. I think this can also take a toll on you and perhaps that's the reason you gambled. Stay strong, you don't need the gambling, perhaps the rush is good but remember the low you're feeling about it now if you start to get tempted again.

Big hugs.

gallygirl

TG, there is a way to block gambling sites if you feel you may get teh urge again (which in all honesty you will). Well done on stopping when you did :T.

TallGirl

Thanks out the block on but I can override it although it does stop me. I use a work laptop so it's not easy.

Going to join the next MF challenge I think that will help and lock the money into a fix rate ISA to stop any temptations to spend it.

Need to get a move on playing golf at 10am quite looking forward to it.

Keeping_Motivated

I would set up a DD for all your 'spare' money to go straight to an account that needs notice to withdraw. You clearly have to much money to 'play' with pardon the pun coz I am sure when you had your mortgage goal you didn't gamble did you?

TallGirl

Totally agree any spare money has to be locked away so it doesn't get spent. Just look what I wrote almost two years to the date:

"I am now 40 & 1 week so its time to have a rethink.

The plan is to save up £60,000 by April 2015 by using our ISA’s each year.

Current ISA savings £12,545
Still to save 10/11 £5000 (DH’s ISA)
Then 4 full years of ISA’s £10,200 between us (if the limit stays the same) = £40,800

That should mean £45,800 still to save making it £58,345 in April 2015 (not taking any interest into account"

Chocking to read that really as I am nowhere near getting to that stage saying that since then £6000 of my ISA got spent on a car for DH and he is not paying me back. £5500 got spent on the garden so let revise things a bit I should think.

I currently have 1 ISA for 2011/12 with £5550 in it. DH has no savings to speak off but he is due to inherited about £10,000 from his mum but I thinks it's better to keep things separate for the two of us.

So if we said 1/2 of the original forecast for the MFi3 take 3 challenge from 12.12.12 that would be £29172 let's round it up to £30,000.

When I filled in the pledge amount for FinancialBliss I said I would save £18,000 in 3 years. So that means my savings have to be £12,000 by 12.12.12. I think that is perfectly possible even with a 50th birthday to pay for and South Africa at Chirstmas.

Paid my credit card off so only dent now is £900 for flight to pay to DH shortly. Will promise to keep this diary money focused from now on.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Hi TallGirl,

It's great you're taking stock and re-assessing things. Good for you. We're all here for "money focused" and other diary stuff so don't worry about that.

TallGirl

So got my mfi3 number 33 I was no 2 on the very first challenge but I like 33 it's nice. Realised I gave him a target of £25,000 not £30,000 but as it doesn't start until December there is time to change that.

Off to Denmark today for 5 days for a large family reunion. I'm sure I have mention it here. Got a MS at the airport but got it wrong so got them to change it for me for the right terminal. Unfortunately the time is wrong but I will do it anyway I'm sure it will be fine.

First it's the doctors with DH then train to airport before my mum picks me up feels strange to see her so soon but also good. Might treat myself to some topcoat in the airport as my bottle is almost empty.

Gambling money winning their way to me so I have opened a Santander 2 year fixed rate ISA as its the top one at the moment and I have one with them already.

Didn't go to the gym Monday or Tuesday it's that time of the month and I felt rough. Also needed to pak etc (excuses excuses) will try to go for a run this week.

Well that's it from me but shall have iPad and Internet in Denmark so will keep in touch.

TallGirl

How cool is this free wifi on board the plane to Denmark, love it. Well did spend a bit at the airport maxed out my MS sadly the only food they had were some horrid hotdogs but the milkshake was nice and so is the mufffins. Also got a bottle of water. Needed the topcoat and more base coat but found an Opi one that does three things for £11 so huge saving. Had to buy a purple Opi nail varnish £10 and then found a magazine for £3.90 but it did have a free nailvarnish worth £9 which is very nice. Not too bad.

DH doctors appointment went well his liver enzyme is down from 159 to 85 but normal is 35 and his red blood cell count to do with B vitamin is down from 109.9 to 105 but should be 100. She is ok about him drinking low alcohol just hope he behaves while I'm away have removed all normal bottles of wine. Got blood test in 2 weeks then doctor in 4 weeks. Very happy TG today such a relief it's working.

Will now sit back and read MSE for the next hour until we land.