Confessions Of A Former Gambler

On the 25th of September we had an incredible grand final. St Kilda vs Collingwood played a vintage game that ended in a draw.
Now my wife and I don't gamble much whatsoever during the year. However on grand final day and also the Melbourne Cup we're going to put money down. It just so happens that this year I put two $10 bets on. One bet was for a draw at full-time. The other bet was for a draw at any of the quarters.
To make a long story short, I turned my $20 into a $480 return. But it got me thinking. How much money had I lost from gambling over my well being,
I'm 29 now (nearly 30) along with the last few years I have gambled very little. Maybe $150 12 months (I have got smarter eventually). However from 18 to 25 I would be very surprised if I hadn't lost $500 annually. So all up I would suggest I have lost $4750. Let's round it down and say $5000. Wow! When you say it like this it is just a fortune.
What could you do with $5000 more money! There are a lot of things this money may have done. Paying off the Home Loan, adding it to my family savings or getting solar power. These are all asset building ideas. Instead the cash fattened the pocket in the TAB, SportsBet, The Casino, X Lotto and the local pokies owner. WHAT A WASTE!
We in Australia have become proficient at gambling. Did you know we gamble read more about average per person annually than another country, Are we built this way as Aussies to be born gamblers, Or have companies who make money using gambling done an exceptionally good job in selling us the dream.
Well for me no matter. Because from your 25th of September 2010 forward my gambling days have ended. No more, zero, ziltch, nothing...
In a decade time, when us looks back, we'll know not merely one dollar has gone to gambling companies. In fact, all this money is going to be kept in our pockets being put towards our future.
How long has it been when you have considered just how much you happen to be gambling every year, Since you have been 18, just how much would you estimate you've lost, What can you did with this money instead,
If you cannot quit 100%, would you scale back, If you could just reduce by $10 30 days it is a saving of $120 a year. Pardon the pun, but good luck.