Redemption - The journey of a recovering gambling addict.

FacelessNumber

Hi @Lonelygambler, just wanted to drop by and say you've got this! You're clearly doing all of the right things, and seem very focused. I hope you and your wife can work through it all, I haven't been in her position but I imagine it would take me a little while to get my head round things if my husband came clean about something similar!

You clearly love your family, and are working to rectify the situation. You can't change what's already happened but sounds like you've made a great start to fixing it!

Good luck, I've bookmarked your thread and will cheer you on!

Lonelygambler

Thank you. 

Made an overpayment of £225 this morning. 

NSD. 

Have £60 till payday on Thursday. £20 is for a leaving gift for a colleague.

Been thinking a lot about my gambling and the highs and lows. Two deposit less and I would be around 2k less in debt. 😔

WinterWarrior

But just think if you had done 2 deposits more! You have made sure it never got any worse. You stopped and now you can move forwards. This is a good thing ✨

KeepOnKnitting

We all have those moments of beating ourselves up about past financial decisions, but it is never helpful.

Focus on the things you are adding to your life now. Quality time with your children. A new more honest partnership with your wife. Financial stability based on a sustainable, positive balance sheet.

Lonelygambler

Happy Tuesday

£10 for a leaving gift for my boss. It’s my first spend day in 10 days. 

Put some more money to my CC. 

Update regarding nursery fee’s. 

My 1 year old has gone up! £745 a month and our 3 year old has gone down to £460.

Saving around £225 a month. 

LG 

FacelessNumber

I feel your pain on nursery fees! Our nursery is amazing but it's definitely not cheap, dreading the 6 months next year we have to pay for 2 of them to go!

Lonelygambler

FacelessNumber said:

I feel your pain on nursery fees! Our nursery is amazing but it's definitely not cheap, dreading the 6 months next year we have to pay for 2 of them to go!

Yes, they are not cheap. We send our children to a forest nursery so it's outdoors all year round. Both of them are so much better outside in the fresh air. Comes at a heavy cost! 

Managed to get home to help put both to bed 6:30pm. 

10 Days gamble free, which is the longest time in a very long time I am feeling pretty good. Going to read a book and listen to a podcast for a bit before going to bed. 

LG

FishInGlass

Congratulations on 10 days gamble free.

Seems like you are taking a lot of really good steps. Whilst it is good to clear the debt, don't make it at the expense of providing for the family (I'm sure you are not). You don't want to feel like you are punishing yourself and end up feeling that you are no better off then when you were gambling. Have little achievable goals.

Kudos for contacting the NHS. There is plenty of support out there, Gamblers Anonymous / Gam Care as well for example. Also support for the family as well who often need to know that they are not the only ones facing the challenges of living with someone with a gambling addiction.

HearThem

Well done on the 10 days gamble free - rooting for you 

[Deleted User]

Quite incredible progress. I was married to somebody who used to gamble a lot. We never got to the point of admitting it was an addiction and he only ever shared the wins with me. 
Sometimes he'd spend all his money in the first week after pay day and then I'd be left to pick up the rest of the bills for the month. Well done for your progress. It easy to look back with shame and regret (I've got loads of it). What is done is done. Acceptance is an important thing to bring peace. Accept it and carry on running your race. 
You're doing brilliantly.