Post Your Wins

[james.hendrickson]

I just redeemed $36.81 cash back from our Chase card.

woot, free money!

[Like2Plan]

DH and I received an additional refund from our state taxes. I thought they had adjusted this in the tax schedules and they were not going to do this anymore so I was surprised.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Profitable night at the casino for me.

[bjl584]

Changed rear brakes and rotors on my GF's car today. Dealership wanted $700. I did it for less than $200 in parts.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Won this today.

[james.hendrickson]

QMM - well at least you won something this holiday season.

[QuarterMillionMan]

[disneysteve]

Set aside that 4th column for Uncle Sam

[QuarterMillionMan]

Ha-ha, you got to think positive or negative depending on perspective. Let me explain further. For 2023 my overall losses might possibly offset the $4000 win today so it might even out. But yes I've already set aside that 4th row for taxes (if needed), lol.

[QuarterMillionMan]

The casino will issue a win/loss statement for 2023. I am pretty sure I was a net loser prior to today's $4000 win to the tune of about that amount.

[disneysteve]

The casino will issue a win/loss statement for 2023. I am pretty sure I was a net loser prior to today's $4000 win to the tune of about that amount.

That’s exactly why I’m never too impressed or excited when someone tells me what they “won”. I know that they probably lost 5 times as much along the way but nobody goes around bragging about their losses.

Those win/loss statements are a big reason we really don’t gamble anymore. It doesn’t seem like a lot when you lose a little each trip but when you see the totals at the end of the year it’s a lot more impactful.

[james.hendrickson]

The casino will issue a win/loss statement for 2023. I am pretty sure I was a net loser prior to today's $4000 win to the tune of about that amount.

QMM - casino have to pay out less than they take in, otherwise they won't say in business. Why even participate in that kind of situation? I mean I know why some people do it - its fun, and you get free drinks, pretty good food, and its social and you get to travel and the like.

But seriously man, if you want a taste for risk and the chances of making money, why not invest in individual stocks instead? You'd develop better skills, possible make a lot more and give yourself a better chance of making money in the long run.

[disneysteve]

QMM - casino have to pay out less than they take in, otherwise they won't say in business. Why even participate in that kind of situation? I mean I know why some people do it - its fun, and you get free drinks, pretty good food, and its social and you get to travel and the like.

But seriously man, if you want a taste for risk and the chances of making money, why not invest in individual stocks instead? You'd develop better skills, possible make a lot more and give yourself a better chance of making money in the long run.

You answered your own question. It’s fun and there are some perks along the way too. We don’t really gamble much anymore but we did for years. We considered it part of our entertainment budget. We’d drive to the casino, play for an hour or two, maybe get a “free” meal, walk around a bit, maybe watch the horse races depending on where we went, sometimes get a “free” gift, occasionally meet up with friends, get a “free” hotel room for the night, etc. We usually would spend less than if we drive into NYC to see a Broadway show.

We were still saving and investing plenty.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Investing in stocks is great. Just as owning property. But as someone mentioned in another thread imagine the person who owned Enron stocks. Or the home-owner who bought a house in 2007 then in 2008 was deep under water and had to short sell for a huge loss. In everything in life I try to balance things out. When gambling I don't go full tilt or go degenerate gambler mode. Without this $4000 win as I mentioned above for 2023 I may have had a $4000 loss for the year. That was peanuts for me. That was discretionary money that I could afford to lose but didn't lose and made it back. It's entertainment for me with a chance to make money. Like people who go to concerts and spends $200 a night, or the gamer who buys video games, or the golfer, etc. I enjoy gambling along with the perks of free rooms, free shows, free meals, etc.

[james.hendrickson]

Investing in stocks is great. Just as owning property. But as someone mentioned in another thread imagine the person who owned Enron stocks. Or the home-owner who bought a house in 2007 then in 2008 was deep under water and had to short sell for a huge loss. In everything in life I try to balance things out. When gambling I don't go full tilt or go degenerate gambler mode. Without this $4000 win as I mentioned above for 2023 I may have had a $4000 loss for the year. That was peanuts for me. That was discretionary money that I could afford to lose but didn't lose and made it back. It's entertainment for me with a chance to make money. Like people who go to concerts and spends $200 a night, or the gamer who buys video games, or the golfer, etc. I enjoy gambling along with the perks of free rooms, free shows, free meals, etc.

Of course QMM, you game responsibly. But, what about everyone who doesn't?