We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
DD's accountability thread
Options
Comments
-
Thanks beanielou.
We're still waiting on test results, but the vet had to replace the catheter this morning. He'd kinked it, and it was blocked with sediment but they couldn't flush it because he'd chewed the port when he'd managed to get out of the collar. Thankfully the replacement catheter went in and he was coming round from more sedation when she rang me back to confirm they'd managed it. It's a strange feeling, not having him at home. I'm already thinking about preparations for when he does come home, and think we might end up purchasing a dog crate (which will do for our future German Shepherd), both to restrict his movement and keep him away from his brother to heal up. Also another water fountain so we can have another easily accessible drinking point. We're still arguing over catio vs free roaming, but obviously he'd have to be 100% healed first. The other consideration is a microchip cat feeder; those are surprisingly expensive! We need to get one cat losing weight (the one still at home) and make sure that unwell-cat is getting enough of his special diet. We realised that fat-cat is sensitive to the cupboard full of food we'd bought from Germany at the start of lockdown, so I donated it to a local wildlife rescue. For now they're on something we can get at the supermarket, but I have my eye on Country Hunter (by Nature's Kitchen) though it's quite expensive. Need to see how things go.
The car is going in for a service tomorrow. In theory Evans Halshaw serviced it in January, but either it's on a 6 month servicing schedule (highly unlikely) or they forgot to reset the counter. I'm not feeling too trusting of them though so I'm happy to have my garage give it a once over. The danger is that it needs something doing which obviously diverts funds away from cat treatment, but we'll see what the score is.
My sister should be moving out at the end of June. They want her to hand her notice in now, but she's taking my advice and waiting for the official letter (she doesn't know the exact salary yet, for example, just which band it's in and expects it to be at the bottom). It'll be strange being back to a household of two plus cats, but also nice to have all of our space back. Depending on how things go with the cat, we may look to start renovating the spare bedroom straight away. I am looking forward to having a room finished (or even started, would be nice). If it was just a case of painting we'd be well on our way, but the ceilings want plastering, and there are other bits and bobs. In the spare bedroom, we need to get a double glazing panel replaced/resealed, then I want another plug socket (which ideally means taking up the carpet) and a new carpet. We've got the new bed, but need the mattresses to go with it.
I'll also be making a concerted effort to bring our grocery bills down as they've been creeping up. I don't know how much of it is the extra adult, the inclusion of cat food, all three of us being at home full time etc. I can't say what difference my sister moving out will make, but we won't be receiving the £100 a week board. I am aware that cutting back on food spending also coincides with a reduction in my weight, which really needs to happen because I'm back up into a stone bracket. I really feel like I've lost my mojo, and that I just work or blob, so I need to muster the energy to tackle these things head on sharpish.0 -
Sadly my cat has a tumourI am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.0 -
Oh no I'm really sorry beanielou. What's the prognosis?
We had a call from the vet earlier who saw moglet last week/put the first catheter in. He's really pleased that the replacement went in well yesterday, and intends for the surgery to be done Thursday or Friday this week, regardless of the test results. He believes, and scans later in the week will confirm - that he may have pushed some stones back into the bladder with the first catheter, which means they'll be easier to retrieve. He sounded a lot more positive than he did last week, until he came to telling me about the bill! I had to laugh; having had a horse, his idea of substantial (£1000 for the past week's treatment, so only up £300 from Saturday) and mine are two very different things. The operation is expected to be around £700 so add in the rest of the boarding etc and I think we'll be somewhere between £2000 and £2500 by this time next week when moglet is hopefully home recouperating. I'm confident that insurance will cover this bout, and probably another, if there was one, but we'll be reviewing how much we set aside for vet bills at our next budget meeting.
The car's service threw up a couple of things to be aware of but they don't need sorting yet. Tracking ~£80 and suspension related I'd guess going on for £250-300. The service itself was £250 though which is higher than I anticipated, but the bulk of it was parts (and there were a lot) so I can't complain. I do need to shuffle the budget around a little to make it work; the underfunded part is going to come out of my fun money (earned through Swagbucks and Prolific).
I'm aiming for another Swagbucks gift card but I think it might be a £25 one. We'll see how things go. I've not been logged onto Prolific much over the past few days so haven't done any new surveys there. I intend to give it a few weeks before going back to the shops when they reopen, but I am wondering whether I'll go back to my old browsing and spending ways, or keep to what I've been doing now. I think what will 'hurt' us, is when we can start seeing people socially again and going out to restaurants. On the one hand it'll be great to see people but on the other, we could easily bump spending up by £100-200 a month between us just from that.0 -
Sadly not great.
Fast growing & aggressive.
Has grown a lot in the last 3 weeks.
Glad things are better for yiursI am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.1 -
I hope they stay with you, comfortable and happy, for as long as possible x1
-
DD265 said:I hope they stay with you, comfortable and happy, for as long as possible x
x
I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.0 -
Our cat had his surgery today and it went well. We're expecting him home tomorrow - the surgery finished mid afternoon today, but he was taking a while to come around and they didn't want to risk it. From our point of view too, we hadn't taken steps to prepare for his return because we weren't sure what the outcome would be.
We ended up rushing to a local feed merchant to get a dog crate so we can give him space from his brother. Neither Amazon nor Pets At Home could help us out in a timely manner with that one, and unfortunately an offer on Facebook came too late! Last week after the attempted catheter insertion, fatty wouldn't leave sick-cat's backside alone, and we can't risk that after the surgery. The crate we bought should be big enough for our future dog with any luck so it won't be wasted. I've also put an Amazon order in for a second water fountain - that (and a couple of other bits on it) used up what was left of my Swagbucks gift cards so I'll need to balance the budget, but I figure I'll do it tomorrow as it's pay day.
Not sure what the total bill is yet but confident that insurance will cover it. We are going to be pushing more money into the vet bills pot each month though, to build up a good buffer. I think the insurance will cover another repeat blockage before we were on our own, and even if we don't get to that point before renewal (hurrah for lifetime policies), there'll be ongoing checkups and tests to make sure we don't end up in the same position again.
I've been looking at various cat food options (I hate shopping for cat food) and I think our food bill might shoot up. I'm not a huge fan of the veterinary prescribed food, predominantly because it's dry, but I'm not a fan of the composition of the wet versions on the market either! There's a Feringa Pure Meat option which would work out about £50 a month for both cats, or I think they've both got a better chance of eating Country Hunter (by Natures Menu) which would come in at £85 a month. On the one hand I feel that's extortionate but on the other, we know fatty has skin sensitivities, and sick-cat is fussy when it comes to wet food. We used to feed a different Feringa and neither of them were that fussed about it. The more I look into it, the more I am considering making my own cat food, but there's quite a bit involved and I need to work out some pricing.
I'd used more of the gift card balance sending an anniversary present and buying some clothes; a pair of shorts on eBay and a small order in at H&M, having admitted that I've put a bit too much weight on, and I'm struggling for things to wear in this heat. The shorts should be OK as they're a size up from an identical pair I own now which are just a little snug, and H&M have an extended returns policy, but it was just 4 t-shirts, a pair of shorts, and a pair of leggings so I'll probably be OK. I probably need to re-think my work wardrobe before going back into the office, though at least the office is air conditioned, as I wore a couple of pairs of jeans out just before lockdown started, and I know my others will be far too small.
0 -
Glad that your cat seems ok. 🐈
I feed mine and Hills dry & also a Hills wet sachet. They would not touch the tins!I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.1 -
Moglet is home safe and sound. He was not impressed at being crated last night but both cats are settled and he's not going at his wound, so I think the crate might get put away. If it wasn't for the fact that he has some shaved fur and a scar, you wouldn't know he'd been through surgery and he doesn't understand why he can't do whatever he wants!
The bill came in at £1879.35, plus the £127.14 we'd spent on food, drugs and a urine test between the admission to the emergency vet at Easter and taking Moglet back in on the 20th, so we're expecting the vast majority of this back from Petplan; they will cover it all but not the full cost of the food, I think it's 40/60% that they cover which isn't bad at all. When you compare the bills from the two practises, the cost at the emergency vet was probably 3-4x what the regular vet would've charged.
I got paid yesterday, and my take home was higher than expected (I broke the £3k barrier again, just, which feels like a really big deal) but I also feel like I lost more of my bonus to tax etc than I expected. I suspect it's going to end up being spent on a catio (which come in around £400-600 pre-made, trying to get quotes to have one made, and work out DIY costs) which is still not the route I want to go down... I am telling myself 'if it's what's best for the cats' but I'm not convinced that this is what's best.
I'm still looking at microchip cat feeders too. OH thinks my idea of putting cat flaps into cupboard doors is not a good one, but it'd be a lot cheaper than feeders. We'll end up with two of whatever we do - the vets are insistent that Moglet stays on the specialist food only, so we need to keep Fatty's food away from Moglet. The SurePet Smart ones include weighing scales, and an app so you can track consumption which I think would be good, but they're ~£100 each plus another £50 for the hub you need so it's a big outlay. Cheaper than illnesses caused by the wrong diet, though...
On the subject of diet, I have this morning's Sainsbury's receipt and intend to go through it to work out what proportion of our expenses are where, and if there are areas where we can cut back. £76 for three adults doesn't seem too bad but then I think it doesn't include any meat and it starts feeling steep. I might be off the mark and it might be reasonable, so hopefully the analysis will tell me!0 -
Glad that moglet is home.I am a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Mortgage Free Wannabe & Local Money Saving Scotland & Disability Money Matters. If you need any help on those boards, do let me know.Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any post you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button , or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own & not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
Lou~ Debt free Wanabe No 55 DF 03/14.**Credit card debt free 30/06/10~** MFW. Finally mortgage free O2/ 2021****
"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of" Jane Austen in Mansfield Park.
***Fall down seven times,stand up eight*** ~~Japanese proverb. ***Keep plodding*** Out of debt, out of danger. ***Be the difference.***
One debt remaining. Home improvement loan.1
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177K Life & Family
- 257.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards