Redemption - The journey of a recovering gambling addict.

CRANKY40

You can help the bad sleeper by playing music to him at bed time. You start by playing the music and patting him gently. Gradually you reduce the gentle pats and just play the music. Eventually they will just fall asleep to the music. We had a Tomy music star which plays for 15 minutes and also has a light show. If they wake in the night you just switch the star on and it helps them get back to sleep. It's useful when they're poorly as it does help calm them even if they're not sleeping. It's good for holidays too if they have trouble settling in an unfamiliar place. 

One of my son's friends has a one year old and friend said that this is one of the best tips anyone has given her. I didn't invent it, the staff at my son's nursery used it at nap time. When the boy had been at school a year or two the class were taken to a classical concert and all the kiddos from his nursery fell asleep. His teacher thought it was hilarious. 

Well done on the "no gambling". I think I'd cancel some of the cards if they're clear.

Lonelygambler

WinterWarrior said:

Personally I would cancel the cards as soon as they are empty (excluding Tesco) If you are never planning to use them, then they are pointless to own. You don’t need a utilisation rating if you aren’t needing to borrow again. If your aim is to become debt free and to save for big purchases then the cards are just taking up headspace. It would probably please your wife too as thats what she suggested, so that might help. Do you have a kindle for night time reading instead of games? 

My mind agrees with you. However my inner voice (ego) is like keep them… I can’t access them no idea of pins as my wife has all the documentation. 

Some of the banks always send me new offers 0% deals. I think it can be useful to have these. 

But deep down I know I should bin them all take a hit on my credit score and move on. 

Yes I have a kindle, and enjoy all the free books on Amazon prime. 

Lonelygambler

OldTimer2023 said:

Really, truly inspirational stuff, LG.  Just wanted to pop-on to say 'thank you' for sharing your story, and to wish you all the best with your journey  I'll be following

Thanks. I don’t feel my story is inspirational. However this is helping me tackle my addiction to gambling and poor money management. 

All the best LG

Lonelygambler

CRANKY40 said:

You can help the bad sleeper by playing music to him at bed time. You start by playing the music and patting him gently. Gradually you reduce the gentle pats and just play the music. Eventually they will just fall asleep to the music. We had a Tomy music star which plays for 15 minutes and also has a light show. If they wake in the night you just switch the star on and it helps them get back to sleep. It's useful when they're poorly as it does help calm them even if they're not sleeping. It's good for holidays too if they have trouble settling in an unfamiliar place. 

One of my son's friends has a one year old and friend said that this is one of the best tips anyone has given her. I didn't invent it, the staff at my son's nursery used it at nap time. When the boy had been at school a year or two the class were taken to a classical concert and all the kiddos from his nursery fell asleep. His teacher thought it was hilarious. 

Well done on the "no gambling". I think I'd cancel some of the cards if they're clear.

Thanks for the advice on the sleeping. LG

Lonelygambler

Quick update. 

NSD 
Softplay , National Trust, Gardening, Cooking and Swimming. 

Not one for logging every single adventure however a busy weekend. 

I have to say the past two days I have really not had too much of a thought around gambling. Maybe as we approach week 6 this will fade away. 

Relapses do happen so I’ve got to be mindful of it. 

9 Days till payday, aiming for 7 NSD. 

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on the no gambling. I don’t think anyone needs access to 13 cards or £150k on credit cards so I would cancel at least some of those. Having that many may actually be damaging your credit record as you will be looked at as more of a risk for building up debt. Realistically how many do you need? 

Lonelygambler

Thanks for the feedback and words of advice. I will be cancelling a number of cards this week. 

Lonelygambler

Update 

3 Separate Amex Closed and an old Halifax card. 

Will leave it a while now before closing any more cards. 

~FlowerPot~

well done, you are doing marvelously

alt80

I've been there with a similar number of open accounts and similar amount of available credit. Having took the plunge I 100% agree with @enthusiasticsaver

Great job closing some of them down, you're on the right path