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.
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