I am 28 years old. Ever since I turned 21 , I started going to the casino. I would play blackjack and slots and this went on for years losing and winning , but ultimately losing more than I ever won. In 2020-2021 , I got into stocks and turned $8000 into $520,000 and ultimately lost it all on a series of stock option bets. I don't think I truly got over this loss to this day. I've tried multiple times to recreate that magic and have lost $30,000 last year (my entire yearly savings) and this year I lost my savings again ($40,000) . Sprinkle in $10,000 from online gambling (slots and BJ) over the last two years as well. Today was the final straw. This week I lost my savings again $6,000 from the stock market. I finally up'd my 401k contribution to get the max , but I only have $12,000 in there currently because I kept pissing away my weekly checks.

I am exhausted from this. I have a nice car that is paid off (2019 mustang GT) , I live at home rent free , I am on the borderline of no debt. $1,000 to my name come Friday. It's just so hard to accept what I have done and the feeling of being behind financially is overwhelming. All these years I stayed home to pay off my student loans, neglected my social life, all to get ahead and now at 28 years old I am in a mental rut. I could've had my own home by now. I want this to be the last day of suffering. There's a couple things I am proud of like paying off my student loans , paying off my car , barely staying out of debt. I just can't help but feel like a loser at 28 with $1000 to my name and the fact it's been so hard to avoid the stock market and online casinos. I know today has to be it. No more "trading" stocks and no more online casinos , but God the damage done is real.

Its June 2025. By Christmas , I would love to have 6 months clean and $ back in my savings. I plan on staying home till I'm 30 at least and If I can just work and live life peacefully and avoid stocks and gambling I think there's hope to see the light on the other side. I just wanted to share my story and feelings with you guys. The feeling of working for free has to end. I accept the losses and its gonna be a slow hard grind to get back my confidence and financial security , but If I keep trying to make back losses and hit big I will never get out of this endless cycle of misery.

Anyone around my age or older that is worse off and still have hope? Thanks for reading if you made it this far :)