[risingphoenix]

Day 250

I did not even think when I started being gamble free that I would stay GF these many days. Looks like I have some will power after all. My mind is much clearer now and I realize gambling is NOT a solution to anything.

Like Kin says I must not fall into the slippery slope of temptation ever again.

One day at a time. Good things will come if I stay gamble free.

[risingphoenix]

Day 249

Another gamble free day. Recovery continues

[risingphoenix]

Great to hear and thanks for the update Hambone!

[risingphoenix]

I can relate to where you are. See my story here. It might give you some ideas on how I am recovering. There are many stories on here that you can get inspiration from.

The first thing I would say you must do is come clean to your family. Tell the entire story without leaving anything out. Bare your soul. It will be incredibly hard.

Then comes the recovery part, sell the house if you can and move to an apartment, move in with family if you can. Use the house equity to pay off your high interest debt. Then work your way towards being debt free. If you are spiritual or religious, believe in a higher power to help you through this . Miracles will happen. Join a GA club or attend some courses. You’ll see you are not alone in this.

Don’t take any drastic steps with your life. It is a dark place you are in right now. Many of us have been there and can relate completely. It is not going to be easy but there is a way out of this. Keep working on staying Gamble free. One day at a time. Good things will come. Keep posting your thoughts here. Get ideas, inspiration and support. There are many who have documented so much of their lives here. Please read and reflect as much as you can.

Link to my thread

Phase II of my life

[risingphoenix]

A very happy Bday to you! ❤️

[risingphoenix]

Day 246

Thanks friends for your supporting comments. I really appreciate your support on this journey. It is amazing how so many of us have similar predicaments and feelings.

I certainly don’t want to restart my gamble free day count. I want to choose to walk the talk and stay gamble free and live my life as God intended for me.

I have couple of challenges that I am looking forward to keep me motivated and continue my gamble free life.

One, get back in shape- covid stay at home and the gambling stress has put me completely out of shape. I know what you mean losingitslowly 🙂

Two, build up my savings the right way with hard work to be able to live a comfortable life and not be worried about any curveballs that life may throw at me.

I will continue to have no access to money. It is okay for my family to handle it. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it.

It all comes back to Step1: We admitted we were powerless over gambling – that our lives had become unmanageable.

We are powerless and we need help!

I am grateful for GT to have this space for us to share our feelings and support each other.

Here’s to more gamble free days. One day at a time!

[risingphoenix]

Day 244

Today is another day that I will stay gamble free.

It is so crazy that even after 243 days of being gamble free, the temptations persist. I feel the mood swings and I think that if I have access to any money I would gamble it away. Not sure when these feelings go away for good. Gambling addiction is a disease.

I have to continue to do some soul searching on what actually triggers me. When I was repaying my debt, becoming debt free was my biggest motivation to stay gamble free. Now I need to find the next thing to keep me motivated and gamble free.

One day at a time.

[risingphoenix]

Very glad to hear you’re having a good time staying gamble free! 7 months is awesome 🙂 Looks like both of us are hitting those milestones in lockstep.

Print a photo of that hot rod you’d like to build and put it on your desk. Would be a great way to keep you focused 😄

[risingphoenix]

Money is a cruel master but a great servant!

Debt = Cruel master

Savings = Great servant

Looking forward to a debt free life

[risingphoenix]

Day 241

Thanks Kin and Don14765. It is certainly heartwarming to hear your kudos and congrats. And I am glad to see my posts are also helping you and others.

As I sat back last night and thought about it. It dawned on me that I have no debt now but at the same time no savings or assets whatsoever. That means everything I have earned to date, every single thing is gone. It is extremely heartbreaking to realize this.

On the bright side I have another chance at life. A chance to reinvent myself! I am going to build my life back as God intended me to do. One brick at a time. With utmost discipline, honesty, sincerity, hard work, love, affection and respect.

I am happy that I have finally realized gambling – chasing after fast money or being greedy is not the answer to life. The ephemeral rush of gambling is worth absolutely nothing!!!

Hard work, honesty and sincerity is the answer to life.

Staying gamble free. One day at a time!

[risingphoenix]

Thank you so much Kin. I am grateful for your support in this journey. Yes, with patience, dedication and hard work I strongly believe we can win over this evil.

I would like to emphasize the need to keep the faith and good things will come in unexpected ways.

[risingphoenix]

Day 239

Been waiting eagerly for the last two days to post this!!

Have a major update.

I got an unexpected performance bonus and salary increase on Wed. CEO just handed me a big check (50k) and said I deserved it. I made some major product fixes a few weeks ago and looks like my idea will be saving the company millions this year. Looks like working those 70-80 hour work weeks these last two months paid off. Thank you Lord for looking over me, blessing me and giving the opportunity to use my knowledge and skills.

I immediately sent that money off to pay off my remaining loans on Thursday! As of this morning, I got confirmation that I have PAID OFF all my loans that I have accrued all these years gambling. The entire $450K+ debt is now paid off. I am over the moon today.

A majority of the loans (~300K) was paid using the equity from the sale of the house. It was definitely a humbling moment early this year for me and my family when I had to sell the house, however it was the right thing as it gave me a big push towards paying off the loans.

Been living in an apartment for a few months now. I am happy where I live.

Eight months ago I was a disaster. Now looking back, God had a reason for me to go through all this. I am forever grateful to have been given the opportunity to build my life back. With my hard work and perseverance I will continue to build back my life. Now that I am debt free, I will be even more careful than ever before.

Temptation to gamble my money cannot find a place in my life ever again

I know this is just a start in me rising like a phoenix!! The journey continues!

Staying Gamble free. One day at a time.

[risingphoenix]

Day 235

Glad to be an example for the right reasons Don14765. I look forward to you setting some gamble free milestones as well.

Things are still pretty hectic at work. The weekend was a welcome change. Hope everyone had an enjoyable time off.

Staying gamble free. One day at a time.

[risingphoenix]

Day 230

Thanks Don14765. Appreciate the support.

Today was payday. Immediately transferred funds to family and only keeping enough for monthly bills. Have to keep temptations at bay at all times. No need to take any risks.

I will recover from my troubles. I will win back my life!! Gamble free! One day at a time!

[risingphoenix]

Day 226

Family continues to support me emotionally during this recovery. I am grateful for their support.

One day at a time!

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