2014 Frugal Living Challenge

skintygerlinky

Hi abby123etc - just wanted to say that it's a really positive step to discuss your gambling issues here on the forum. Alongside support, you've been offered some concrete guidance on what you can do immediately (eg blocking yourself online, giving your OH the password, websites to visit).

You're not the first person to go through something like this - so don't feel alone. Today is a brand new day - you can sort this out and make real changes to avoid this situation occurring again in the future.

Go for it missis! We're here for you and know you can do this xxxxxxx

skintygerlinky

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

could be interesting and by that I mean it could give me a really bad tummy ache!

How you doing buffster!! Hope you had a nice tea????

Florenceem

Had a frugal productive day here - washing and cleaning plus sewed a new cover for my overlocker machine.

Goldiegirl

Evening all!

Very quiet day here, just been doing a bit of eBaying, reading and jigsaw puzzling. Quiet days are good for frugality, as I don't spend money! I haven't spent any money since Thursday!

Regarding gambling, my friends husband has a problem with gambling, or should I say soon to be ex husband. He never could see that he had a problem - even though they had to remortgage their house twice to pay his debts. I think Abby has faced up to it, and that is the start - well done!

chirpycheap

A day at home breaking up the two fence panels that blew down in the wind ready for a trip to the dump. On the plus side it was a good chance to spend time with both our neighbours who helped hubby pull up the big block of concrete attached to the broken fence post. Priced up the replacements and should come to around £40 -so it could be worse!
Lunch was a bit unusual. I have been making some lovely loaves in the bread maker but today's loaf just didn't rise. Made some Courgette and Spinach soup which my family promptly renamed it Swamp Soup. Luckily it tasted better than it looked!
We went out for a meal yesterday and my husband found a long hair entwined in his burger. He got his money back and was chuffed as he had nearly finished his meal. I was just glad it wasn't in my meal as it turned my stomach!

Frugalsod

My last few loaves have not risen properly so think I should preheat the oven properly for the next loaves. Tomorrow will be mincing some beef to make a slow cooker chilli. That will use up some more veg and get me enough meals to get through the month. I have quite a bit of cabbage so thinking about making some kimchi. Never tried it before but supposed to be really good. So why not?

Someone in the block was clearing some shelving units so grabbed one and it is now in my kitchen with nearly all my Kenwood attachments on there. Rather fab for free.

icontinuetodream

abby1234519 wrote: »

I need help urgently!

I have a "mild" gambling addiction. Sometimes I might deposit £20 and play blackjack, win an extra tenner and withdraw. Or I might just lose. I never take it further though.

Anyhoo....we had £1500 in our savings account for the wedding.

Its now £0. Yup...

Out of desperation I pillaged my current account and have won it all back apart from £35.50. I'm not putting anymore in to risk that. So anyway it will be back in the account shortly, once William Hill have processed the withdrawal.

I genuinely need to be able to block all gambling sites. I am absolutely terrified that I will do this again. I felt absolutely sick at the though of having just spent our hard earned savings. I don't need telling off, I really have already done that. However I need to be able to block gambling sites, I feel I can trust myself, I mean it takes a massive scare sometimes to shock you but I clearly can't really be trusted as a habit is a habit. My other half had no idea that I have a habit, as its never been something you could see, ie such low amounts. But I've told him what I've done and he could clearly see how distraught I was as I don't cry often.

£35.50 down is very lucky, I currently have a laptop on sale on ebay so should be okay. I am so so lucky. I literally ransacked my wardrobe last night ready to sell all of my possessions.

I used to work as a substance misuse worker.....I can definitely say that admitting that you have a problem is the first step forward so a huge congratulations on achieving that!:T

Can I recommend that you check out this site:

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/

They are a great organisation in my opinion and will give you the support you need to address the underlying issues as well as deal with the immediate problems.....good luck

tatabubbly

abby1234519, I just wanted to say a huge congrats on admitting you have a problem. Best of luck for your wedding as well..

So having a frugal-kinda day today! Yesterday I stayed indoors so LSD, I went and visited my friend who had a baby and only bought a gift bag at the shop as I had none! She was delighted with the wee clothes I got her, but I won't be telling her I got most of them on the clearance rack in tesco

Also, managed to bag myself some free unity candles from another bride to be who has changed her mind on hers and decided she wanted personalised ones! Another €30 of the budget saved!

Need to go to the shops today. I have nothing in my fridge apart from a slab of butter, odd condiments and laughing cow cheese! :O

mrsinvisible

good luck Abby, I know that the people on here will be supportive, I also think you are brave, not only posting on here about it but also for telling your partner, now you can look forward.
Yesterdays sunshine was great, got into the greenhouse and into the garden too (keep off the grass) got 4 nice spring baskets made, will be delivered by the garden fairy tonight, to my lovely friends. Now the rain is back and it must have encouraged a dust fairy visit, so I better find a dusting mojo soon.
Frugal NSD yesterday, makes 3 this week, and it is starting to bring the weekly spend total down too. Todays lunch will be lo leek and potato soup and dinner will be lo tatie pot, with hm spiced red cabbage and a bread roll. Desert will be fruit mess, if I have tummy space.
Just been watching one of our red squirrels hopping about, lovely.

Buffythedebtslayer

Morning


got lots to do today


housework stuff. meeting a friend. trying to avoid the supermarket.


two things I didn't get to post due to the dogs.


1. abby1234519 - impressive post yesterday X how are you feeling today? keep posting and planning the wedding XX


2. PM2326 - congrats on the catalogue payment


need to get on but feel like going back to bed!


XXX