Hello

crazy_cat_lady

Hi everyone,
I'm a long time lurker here but have never gotten the nerve to post.

I ran up over £27k of debt before I had my LBM in 2010 and entered a DMP. I am almost at the end of the plan, with 5 payments left to go, and feeling pretty good about it - however - a few things have happened recently that have left my emergency fund wiped out and I have more expense coming. One of my cats needs an op that isn't covered by insurance and I need to find £1000 to pay for it. On top of just replacing my fridge and washing machine I don't have that amount of cash...

So, I'm biting the bullet and joining up on here to get involved with some challenges and further money saving, to try and keep me inspired. If anyone has any bright ideas or suggestions for challenges then please let me know. But please, before anyone suggests getting rid of the cat, please know that I don't see her as a disposable commodity - she's part of the family and I am willing to cut back elsewhere to fund her operation. I'm just looking for ideas and support.

Thanks - I'm looking forward to getting involved.
:beer:

HappyMJ

If you've been on a DMP for several years then it's unlikely you could cut back any further. You'll probably need to put the vet fees on a credit card.

Sometimes vet's can take instalments. Ask the vet.

DawnW

Totally agree about pets not being disposable commodities. Good luck with it xx

fatbelly

You could do a statement of affairs for us to see if we can make specific suggestions.

Putting the spend on a 0% credit card would not be a disaster. Even if your credit rating is poor you should get a Barclaycard initial with 3 months interest free

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/bad-credit-credit-cards#initial

and there's a link within that link to better deals if your credit rating is OK.

The other thing to consider is whether other expenditure can be deferred or if you have any sums due to you or that can be reclaimed. I recently discovered I was several hundred pounds in credit on my electricity so am having a 'holiday' from payments. I could have requested it back as a lump sum.

sourcrates

Op, I work for a vets practice, what part of the country are you in ?

crazy_cat_lady

Hi Sourcrates

I'm in the North East - near Sunderland. My own vets are fantastic about instalments etc, but the cat needs to go to another practice for the op as they don't do orthopaedic surgery so she's been referred elsewhere.

Fatbelly and HappyMJ - I have been scared/wary about trying to applying for more credit for fear of rejection or getting into trouble again, but I will look into it. Thank you.

I have just updated my SOA with Stepchange. I'll see if I can copy it over. Thank you.

Bobarella

Hi Crazy Cat Lady
How lucky your pet is to have a lovely caring owner. This may be a bit left field but have you considered doing a page for her and publicise it via social media? People are happy to put in for all sorts on crowd funding websites so a poor cat needing emergency care her loving owner can't afford may attract donations. We are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers.
Good luck raising the funds.

Bob

crazy_cat_lady

Hi Bob
That thought had actually crossed my mind, but it was more of a joke than anything I would actually do for real. I was talking to my best friend about setting up a just giving page just this morning. Last week I donated a fiver to a group of people who have lost their holiday to Disneyland due to a fraudster - in spite of the fact that my kids have never been anywhere more glamorous than a caravan park...

Anyway - I applied for, and got, a credit card with a £1500 limit. This is relieving and terrifying in equal measure.

Bobarella

Oh what a relief. :T

I really hope your cat will be ok now.

DebtSlave

That's great news, hope your cat is ok. It's stressful enough when they're ill, without worrying about how the hell you're gonna pay for it!

crazy_cat_lady

It's been a stressy few weeks for sure - one thing after another. Fingers crossed I don't lose control.