Quote from: GxSTxV on Today at 12:08:54 PM

This is actually the first time someone has suggested an exercise like this to me even Im not really sure of all its benefits

It's the centuries old wishdom: a healthy mind in a healthy body.

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One thing about me is that I never want to appear in need or lacking money beside my friends and surroundings.

I've seen entire countries where almost everyone seems to live that way. I think it was The Millionaire Next Door that wrote: most people can either be rich, or look rich. Not many people can do both. Which means, if someone looks like they have plenty of money to buy anything they want, they're probably not rich. And someone who doesn't show off material wealth may have accummulated quite some savings. I like when people underestimate me, and it works in my favour later on.

A lot has been said already, and posts online can't change a lifestyle, but allow me to highlight some parts:

Quote from: GxSTxV on November 09, 2024, 06:05:11 PM

without thinking I gambled to wager today and lost the $400 loan.

This is a BIG mistake. Casinos create wagering contests, because that's how the house edge makes them a profit. They don't care if individual users win or lose, as long as all users wager more. If the house edge is only 1%, and you wager $10,000, you're expected to lose $100. At 3% house edge, you're expected to lose $300. If you wager more, you're expected to lose more. You can win, you can lose, but the expected value is negative.
I've joined some EV+ giveaway contests years ago, and I really liked the ones where I could do the math on how much I was expecting to lose compared to how much I'd win from the prize. But it also made me realize how quickly I'd get addicted, and how easy it is to think "I'm going to win that back" after losing. I have a family, I don't want to go down that road, so I don't gamble (other than the occasional EV+ review offer). TL;DR: do the math. Understand how it works, and understand how the entire casino business is designed to get you hooked and take your money. Then, quit. And I know it's like telling a smoker to quit smoking: most want to quit, but they can't.

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For now, I plan to save all my signature campaign payouts

Be honest (to yourself): how likely are you to want to "double" that money gambling once you've accumulated some money?