mixer2008

Great advice, James, amazing how understanding good friends are.
Good thread this.

Good luck to everyone who's trying to give up the froots.

I've been addicted for years and years; it seems to happen in phases, dependng on the state of my personal life (getting divorced, relationship break-ups etc. etc.).

Strangely, if I'm happy in a relationship then I don't touch 'em... I'd rather spend the money on me and a partner to do nice things.

I've just finished a relationship so I've found myself going back to old habits ... big time.

So, I've done what I usually do at times of weakness.

Rip up/Tear up my debit and credit card (too easy to draw out up to £300 a day). Instead, the *only* way I can draw out money is via a savings book at the local Abbey National and I only normally draw out £50 at a time (I transfer a given amount from the my current account to my savings account, see. The amount I transfer is less than I'd normally spend so there's some over to save).

It's a right pain (because I can't get out cash instantly anymore), but it does dramatically reduce my losses, becuase the most I can lose is £50 and normally it's less than this, because some of the £50 will go on day-to-day stuff, and drinks in the pub etc. Let's say I do gamble - and lose - and have to walk 5 miles home ...then I walk 5 miles. Before, I'd draw another £50 off my card (£10 for the cab) and spunk the other £40 on the machines. A long walk not only keeps you fit but focuses the mind somewhat.

Point is... whilst I could go back to the Abbey National to draw out more money, it's a right pain and embarrasing if I had to keep going back. (What would the cashiers think?). Plus, I can only go the bank - and probably queue - between 9am and 5pm. Plus, who's gonna look after the machine for me?

It works for me personally. Restricting the money supply really works, because you adjust the gamble, and change your gameplay, so you hit the smaller jackpot machines, and get a game. And if you lose, it's manageable.

Very soon, you suddenly find you have more money. Don't spunk it - buy something. Anything you want. Or save it; as Ben says, just get it out of the way. Stick it in an ISA or something and tear up the savings book (the bank will send you a replacement if you need it, the idea is to make it difficult for you to get hold of the money).

You'll feel proud that you've restricted your gambling; you won't miss the cards after a well (don't get 'em back either because you'll spend all you've saved quickly, defeating the object), and genuine friends/partners *will* understand. People like people who help themselves.

It's not easy - fruit machines are bloody everywhere these days. Maybe restricting the money supply will help?

All the best.

Hmmm, had problems getting registered ... don't know why. Had to get it from Limewire so have it now but it's been taken down since (?) haven't seen it since. I guess once mpu 9.4 is "out of the box" it's going to be everywhere ...

I've just registered ... awaiting activation. Gotta say, I'm really looking forward to MFME 9.4... absolutely fantastic. Cheers cliff, amazing.