Today’s topic will be quite different, a little more ominous and a little more about me which I usually don’t do.
A Little Background Information
I have self control like a 5 year old and highly compulsive, “qualities” that I should not have at this age. When I like something and it doesn’t matter what, it could be: a girl, food, an activity, what ever it is, that thing consumes my thoughts entirely. I can’t stop thinking about it, despite very my best. The word “moderation” does not exist in my dictionary.
About 5 years ago, I tried hummus and fell in love with it. I ate it nearly every day for 3 months. Then I got sick of eating it. It took me a year to eat it again, and I went through another binge. I ate it for 3 months straight. Guess what? I was tired of eating it again. It wasn’t until recently I restarted eating hummus and pita. It can be said with Greek yogurt for breakfast. I don’t know how many times I’ve started and stopped eating plenty of things because I don’t know when to stop.
I was recently at the American Express Centurion Lounge in DFW and they had these delicious almond cakes. I am pretty sure I would have eaten all of the cakes they baked that day if I tasted it earlier in the day.
I remember way back when I was a child I would play plenty of video games on the Nintendo Gameboy and my afternoons after school were totally consumed by that portable electronics device. All I could do was think about playing the games. Video games to me are highly addictive. Just 2.5 years ago, I was completely engrossed in the Call of Duty video game series for the Xbox 360. I was spending every waking hour playing the games. I was beyond addicted to CoD, when I laid in bed trying to sleep, scenes would replay in my head on what I could have done to be a better player. I was engrossed. At work, I kept thinking I can’t wait to go home and play Call of Duty. My moment of realization that the video game was taking over my life was when I realized the quality of the blog was taking a nose dive and I quit.
I can quit things cold turkey only when I have that “moment.” Last week, I realized coffee was affecting me from sleeping. I gave it up. I am now able to sleep, and get some restful sleep. In addition, when I wake up in the morning I feel refreshed and isn’t a chore for me to get out of bed.
I’m lucky that I don’t like the taste or effects of alcohol. I’m pretty sure if I liked it, I’d be an alcoholic. Same would go for drugs or cigarettes, thankfully, I never tried any of it.
The Bad News Or Maybe Good News?
In my late teenage years and early twenties, online gambling was legal and I was equally addicted to that. I had my hand in online poker and that consumed me as well. Between classes I would hop on to a library computer or be at in the computer lab playing a few hands. I hit a rough streak and pivoted and played online blackjack for the sign up bonuses that I had mentioned.
I guess the good news? I haven’t signed up for an online casino, yet. That leads to the bad news. I plan to sign up for the various online casinos again. I look at these online bonuses and they’re literally giving away money. Here’s an offer from Caesar’s:
If I deposit $300, they’re going to give me $300. There’s other offers they keep emailing me about like if I lose $X amount they’ll give me back $X up to $100. How can you turn this away?
Yes, there are various restrictions to the online bonus, but if you play low house advantage games your expected value is supposed to be in the positive territory meaning you should be walking away as a winner. Think of it as your credit rewards after your liquidation fees and that’s your +EV.
I’m going to do my absolute best to avoid becoming an addict, again. Hopefully, I don’t lose my shirt in the process.
Don’t Do This If You’re Like Me
I try my absolute best to give good advice. If you have poor self control don’t do this. If you are not in a good financial position, don’t do this. I can’t even begin where to tell you how much of a bad idea this is.
My only saving grace for me that’s going to keep me from getting into the deep end is how much I have going on. It’s partly why it’s been over a year and a half since writing that post that I’ve reconsidered gambling. I have a lot keeping me busy like school, the new job, and the blog. Between work and school, I haven’t had much time to write, answer emails, comments, or messages something that I take pride in. I’m taking accounting this semester and it’s kicking my ass, despite taking it two times already. Some things just haven’t gotten into this thick skull.
Casino bonuses aren’t sustainable by any stretch of the imagination. It’s not an avenue for manufactured spending. Small profits if your cards line up (no pun intended). As I’ve gotten older, I have realized a few things quicker, so hopefully if I fall prey to it, I won’t stay in the rut for too long. I’ll keep you all abreast in my gambling activities.
Online gambling is perfect for someone with an addictive personality. SMH.
Oh dear goodness don’t do this. Note in the fine print that you usually have to cycle the money through 30-50 times to be able to withdraw the bonus or even your own money. There’s also no regulations or oversight, and no way to know that the games are fair and the house edge is what you think it is. Avoid entirely. Want a gambling challenge? Try learning an optimal strategy in Pai Gow Tiles, and practice on a free simulator; that should take hours.
Meant to say: number of times you have to cycle the money through effectively eats away your supposed mathematical advantage even if the games were fair.
Evaluating your writing by putting my psychiatrist hat instead of fellow MSer hat, I suggest, you are better off these bonuses. Gift card churn is much more healthy for you, I would rather recommend you a binge of it.
Good morning! CTP you sound a lot like me and I have an addictive and impulsive personality. I found that MSing helps quiet some of the voices in my head, it has definitely helped me to save money by not constantly shopping. When I buy gift cards or go to Target, I feel like I really bought something or have a clear plan rather than buying crap because I am bored. At times, MSing gives me anxiety. It is an adrenaline rush and I have fought really hard to have a mellow life free and clear of drama. So many times, I want to quit. In my younger days, I would smoke, party, and gamble in a bad way. Time has passed and I reflect upon the person I was. I still like that person but there is no way I could sustain my health and my sanity. I don’t think you need to change because it seems you are successful at what you do but reconsider some of the habits that could lead you down a rabbit hole to no where.
Good gracious how did you give up COFFEE?!!! That is something I cannot do…
I thought you going to say you got sick of doing GCs churning and sales. But gambling is way too dangerous for addictive personality.
I have a mildly addictive/compulsive personality–if I like something, I will do it over and over. (This is why I have never tried so much as a single cigarette.) I wonder how common this is among the points/miles types vs. the general population?
Just echoing Harvson3’s wise words: please don’t do this!! It is much more dangerous than too much hummus! And there may be folks who read your blog and respect what you’ve accomplished who decide to follow you down this path, who are far less able than you to manage addictions. For yourself and for your readers and admirers, please rethink this decision! It has far too much potential to do harm than good.
Please, stick to hummus.
Some advice: don’t do it. We should really be looking for games where we can’t lose, and gambling is not one of them (doubly so with an addictive personality). Just think of the time you’ll spend gambling and how you could spend that making guaranteed money with other mile/point type schemes.
I appreciate your open and honest discussion above about having an addictive personality….why not try to get addicted to Walmart and a 5% cash back card? 😉
Not worth it. So not worth it.
Those almond cakes were amazing.
There are lots of checking account bonuses if you are looking for free money. Even with no free money an account that lets you fund with a CC is an easy money maker.
Asperger’s
I have addictions and compulsions, mostly around food, drink and hard work, not too dangerous so far. I’m too cheap to be addicted to gambling, thank goodness but you should definitely not start. Cold turkey is almost the only way I can stop something, no medium ground for me.
I got addicted to MS when I first started and then addicted to record-keeping and spread sheets. I am a former accountant. Perhaps you could get addicted to accounting, I’d be glad to help!
I suspect a lot of us in this hobby have addictive/compulsive personalities. I think MS is a good outlet for it. You hear of all the compulsive shoppers, hoarders, etc. At least our hobby/compulsion/addiction is profitable.
Anhedonla – It’s good to know I’m not the only one who is addicted to record keeping and spreadsheets. Although, I like the perks of MS, what really keeps me going is the game, tracking how much I can spend, how much my monthly profits are, etc.
I guess to learn from mistakes you have to make them first…
In all seriousness, you’ve identified a potential problem and why it’s a conflict with your personality and you know it’s a bad idea and you’re still doing it. You’re already time poor, assuming everything goes right is the ROI on this new venture really better than GC churning, writing this blog and your studies.
SUCH a bad idea. Please, for your own sake, don’t do it. You know that it’s foolish. You know that it’s way beyond risky. And you know that you should stay far, far away from it.
Your blog is an incredible read.I’m normally fascinated with your thought process but I felt today’s post had quite a surprising and disturbing twist to it. You’re fortunate to have amazing readers who care for you and have given the best and most useful advice in the comments. (To refrain) The gambling deal has the potential for much bigger losses in time, mind and money, so just say no to that temptation.
BTW I’m now craving those almond cakes!
thanks for being honest and open…I always greatly value your thoughts, but like everyone else pointed out, this is probably not something you want to spend time on given all the other things you do. I do have friends that gamble and make a lot of $$ and get tons of free stuff in Vegas, but I’ve heard that online gambling isn’t the same.
we care about you! take care of yourself 🙂
p.s. I have a similar personality. I switch from being obsessed about something different a couple times a year. Currently super obsessed with this travel hacking, but I actually hope it’ll last longer than other obsessions. 🙂
This type of thinking and compulsion is correlated with low serotonin levels and depression. Gambling releases the same chemicals in the brain as is seen in crack addicts. I’ve been there. You may have to ruin yourself (several times) before you get over it but I assure you there is a far less painful way. See a doctor now. get medication. You can not put a harness on the same brain that is getting you into trouble without some outside factor changing. The gambling compulsion and the risks only get bigger with time. You never win in the long run. Ever.
Why not play MyVegas on Facebook? It’s free, addicive but you can play without spending any real money. You can redeem your points for free hotels, buffets and shows!
what’s the expected value of the casino bonuses? If you don’t know, don’t do it.
Thanks everyone for the advice – it’s good to hear that it absolutely is not a good idea for someone with my personality type. Going down this path wouldn’t be a good one and jeopardizes my integrity which I can’t allow.
Thank you for the real solid feedback.
Not everyone can accept advice, especially advice that goes against what they want to do. So glad you are able to! Good luck with accounting and I look forward to reading your posts, whenever your busy life allows time for them. Have a great week!
PS – You might try emailing The Centurion. Maybe the chef will share the recipe and you can consider the pros and cons of obsessive baking 😉 !
That was a great idea – I emailed them, and they got back to me and said the Chef doesn’t share recipes 🙁
Yeah, that doesn’t surprise me. But sometimes when I have asked in similar situations they do! Guest in a foodie sometime; he or she may be able to find you a recipe after tasting it!