Here's the quote, I didn't want to lose a good discussion topic.
My income is menial, and thanks to my (ex) I have legal fees out the wazoo. Without getting into a sidetracked discussion, Legal Aid only helps by paying the legal costs right now, once the house sells then I have to pay them back if I have any money left once all the penalties are paid, etc. I didn't touch my RRSP as it would have cost me around $750 to withdrawal the $1500 I needed for that lump sum payment, so I ended up putting it on a credit card with the hopes of paying off as much as I can before the interest rates go up. (I got some very low interest cheques and used one... am going to have to use another one).
So all my income is from partial WSIB and a small amount of child support from my oldest daughters father. My ex is paying the mortgage and costs related to the house, so right now, I have a roof over my and my girls heads. The income I do get has to go towards gas, childrens expenses, groceries, and bills. I've been feeding my family on under $20/wk for the last 4-5wks.
Thankfully I have not needed to buy cat food as when I do buy dry, it lasts 3-4mos. But the bin is now about 1/4 full so it is something I've been thinking about. All the cats are overdue for their checkups/booster shots right now (they were due the beginning of the year, but I was waiting because one of em was due the end of summer and I was going to take them all at once to save some money).
Their dry food costs about $100 but that lasts 3-4mos and I buy cheap wet food (friskies or fancy feast).
The vet will be $300ish.
What it all boils down to for me, is who needs what more. The cats don't "need" the vet appointment as they are indoor only, have had their first full sets of shots (but I like to do the first full sets, then 1 more....then I don't usually take them in....that's my personal standpoint on immunizations) so I am not thinking about the vet visit.
Their food.
If I had to choose between spending $20 on food for the cats or food for me, I would choose the cats.
If I had to choose between food for my children or food for my cats, I would choose my children.
If I had to choose between my medications and food for the cats, I would choose my medications.
Without my medications, I am useless, non functioning, with no quality of life, would go through some serious withdrawals, and not be able to take care of my children or my pets.
My children will always come before my pets, and my pets come before myself to a certain degree as I can go without food for a bit, but meds I cannot without jeopardizing my life. My meds cannot be filled every 3mos, except one of them which happens to be on of the cheapest meds I take. I wish they could be filled every 3 mos because I have no clue when he is taking me off his benefits and would get the doc to fill 3mos worth while I still have benefits
One small blessing I have is, a good friend of mine owns a pet food store. I am sure he will help me out with the food (perhaps allow me to pay monthly or weekly rather than all at once) and my family and I have signed up for a Christmas Hamper from the food bank and I've asked for cat food. It's a neat program here, they take down your information (ppl in your family, what you want for Christmas, etc.) and another family will "sponsor" you, buy you some gifts and giftcards for groceries and any special needs. I'm hoping to get some catfood.
I never thought I'd be back in this situation, but..... I am used to living frugally and doing what needs doing.
But the bottom line for me is that my children are my #1 priority, my pets come before my non-essential needs.
Where do you stand?
You raised a question, about animals coming first as opposed to ourselves and that is something I've had to think about a lot as of lately.Originally Posted by Natalie_ca
Speaking of cats, does anyone else go without necessities in order to make sure their cats have what they need? To me it's just logical for me to make sure they have even if I don't. I know some will think I'm crazy for putting my cats needs above my own, but I consider my cats my kids and I think any parent would put their kids ahead of themselves.
My income is menial, and thanks to my (ex) I have legal fees out the wazoo. Without getting into a sidetracked discussion, Legal Aid only helps by paying the legal costs right now, once the house sells then I have to pay them back if I have any money left once all the penalties are paid, etc. I didn't touch my RRSP as it would have cost me around $750 to withdrawal the $1500 I needed for that lump sum payment, so I ended up putting it on a credit card with the hopes of paying off as much as I can before the interest rates go up. (I got some very low interest cheques and used one... am going to have to use another one).
So all my income is from partial WSIB and a small amount of child support from my oldest daughters father. My ex is paying the mortgage and costs related to the house, so right now, I have a roof over my and my girls heads. The income I do get has to go towards gas, childrens expenses, groceries, and bills. I've been feeding my family on under $20/wk for the last 4-5wks.
Thankfully I have not needed to buy cat food as when I do buy dry, it lasts 3-4mos. But the bin is now about 1/4 full so it is something I've been thinking about. All the cats are overdue for their checkups/booster shots right now (they were due the beginning of the year, but I was waiting because one of em was due the end of summer and I was going to take them all at once to save some money).
Their dry food costs about $100 but that lasts 3-4mos and I buy cheap wet food (friskies or fancy feast).
The vet will be $300ish.
What it all boils down to for me, is who needs what more. The cats don't "need" the vet appointment as they are indoor only, have had their first full sets of shots (but I like to do the first full sets, then 1 more....then I don't usually take them in....that's my personal standpoint on immunizations) so I am not thinking about the vet visit.
Their food.
If I had to choose between spending $20 on food for the cats or food for me, I would choose the cats.
If I had to choose between food for my children or food for my cats, I would choose my children.
If I had to choose between my medications and food for the cats, I would choose my medications.
Without my medications, I am useless, non functioning, with no quality of life, would go through some serious withdrawals, and not be able to take care of my children or my pets.
My children will always come before my pets, and my pets come before myself to a certain degree as I can go without food for a bit, but meds I cannot without jeopardizing my life. My meds cannot be filled every 3mos, except one of them which happens to be on of the cheapest meds I take. I wish they could be filled every 3 mos because I have no clue when he is taking me off his benefits and would get the doc to fill 3mos worth while I still have benefits
One small blessing I have is, a good friend of mine owns a pet food store. I am sure he will help me out with the food (perhaps allow me to pay monthly or weekly rather than all at once) and my family and I have signed up for a Christmas Hamper from the food bank and I've asked for cat food. It's a neat program here, they take down your information (ppl in your family, what you want for Christmas, etc.) and another family will "sponsor" you, buy you some gifts and giftcards for groceries and any special needs. I'm hoping to get some catfood.
I never thought I'd be back in this situation, but..... I am used to living frugally and doing what needs doing.
But the bottom line for me is that my children are my #1 priority, my pets come before my non-essential needs.
Where do you stand?