Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

Irenadler

Hi MF
Thank you, once a month makes better sense as there won't be any major changes until then. Maybe I am putting too much onto myself. 
You're right, I need to get sorted and get searching for affordable stuff, when what I have runs out. I like the idea of re-saving the soap scraps! 

I think there is an extra jar in the cupboard, one dedicated for haircuts, or, even other treats is an excellent idea. Why my brain can't think of things like that I don't know... ? I think I am definitely not with it. Took me so many times to add things up to work out my outgoings I wouldn't be surprised if I have made mistakes, but I kept checking and checking....

And yes, I thought I had nothing but debt, that is the first step, finding a bit tucked away...

Irenadler

Kat78MFW said:

You could make a small amount of money doing online surveys. Prolific academic seem to be the best paying so money builds up quite quickly. I think you can withdraw it straight into your bank account. 
Good luck 

Hello and thank you Kat78MFW
I will have a go, did try to get into it on MSE, but came up with unavailable. Is it just my poor brain or, wrong link, or site glitch?

MovingForwards

It's hard to see things when personally involved, which is why putting pen to paper gives others the option of making suggestions 😁

If you want people to check calculations when you post up your next budget, just mention it.

Even if you haven't got another jar, see if you have a tupperware container or lunchbox, you could even wash a tin out, let it dry and use that - wrap some paper round it, stick it down and even put some on top with a slot in so it looks like a money tin.

This is your diary, use it how you see fit and everything will fall into place.

Irenadler

MovingForwards said:

You can bulk your furbaby's food out with frozen / fresh veg, or use them as treats.
As for recommendations as the diet is working, stick with it and see if you can find a bigger bag but get it delivered. That way you potentially save money, but need to be able to save up to get your first bag. 
You could try a different brand for the meat tin, but treat it like you would allergy testing. Only introduce one brand, one flavour. See what happens over a few days, if everything is ok, stop that flavour and try another. If it's not ok, go back to Lily's until settled and pick a different brand.
T may even do their own version of the kibble, again try a small bag to see what happens.

I'm guessing you may not have a pet shop within walking distance. Quite often they have special offers too.

Hello again MF

Forgot to come back to your post! Doh!

I do feed her some treats of carrot and apple, sometimes cucumber but, not much cucumber as it makes her get the trots or, at least the most eye-watering farts! 

I will have to look into bigger bags of IAMS as the local shops only seem to do 2kg maximum now. I try to buy it when it says 2 for £10 (usually £7/2kg) but worried about doing that now. 

I did ask the Vet in the past (when I was earning an decent income!) to test her allergy so I knew what it was. They said that whatever it was, she would still get the same anti-allergy medication (at £50+ per month), that it was expensive, etc. and generally put me off. I wish I had insisted now, as I am not entirely sure it is dust mite allergy, and she has definitely been 95% improved with no dairy...

Seems like the best way, like you suggest, is trying out different foods/brands and see how she does as the one's I know that work, are also pricey... I have also been wondering about vegan dog food and the pro's and con's of that. I suspect that it may be pricey, but, need to gear myself up to research it. The fact that there would be no dairy in it, would, at least be a good start...

There used to be a local pet shop near me, that closed a long time ago, to be replaced by a Thai massage parlour, for some reason.... 

MovingForwards

Stick with kibble and a bit of meat / veg as a treat, not many people will advocate a vegan diet for our furbabies. It probably is diary that caused the allergy, especially as you've noticed a difference by stopping it.
Dogs are so funny with their farts and don't understand why that little cloud clears a room 😬😬😬
You can buy a small box of kibble, mix it in with the normal one in the bowl then over a few days change the ratio so it ends up being 100% the new one, give it a few days and see how things are.
As your income has now changed, have a look to see if there's a PDSA near by, they rely on donations for treatment and usually have special offers when it comes to vaccines / worming treatment too. They understand not everyone can afford to pay in full and the staff are really nice.
Sorry, I never thought about that when you posted before!

Irenadler

Thanks MF!
PDSA are a good option for her. Ah, my brain, why does it not remember....

Ha! My dog completely gives it away, when she trumps she turns round as it she was saying 'Where the heck did that come from?' so we know it's her (when there's company!) and has us all giggling in between eye-watering groans and leaving the room for fresh air....!
  
When her next dry food runs low, I will be scoping the shelves for a likely (non-fart inducing) kibble....

Elmer_BeFuddled

Check out giffgaff
for sim only deals starting from £6 (piggybacks on the O2 network).

savingwannabe

Irene you are being so positive, well done in working so hard. It is so tough right now but you are approaching every decision with gusto. I cant think of anything useful so I am sending you a hug!!! 

Irenadler

Elmer_BeFuddled said:

Check out giffgaff
for sim only deals starting from £6 (piggybacks on the O2 network).

Hello Elmer_BeFuddled
What a great name! 
Does it work with old fashioned clam phone (cheapo T*sco not internet connected)?
I am on the fence about this, as, T*sco boost my credit for every £10 I put on it, they add £20. So far, as I am not internet connected, and it doesn't have a large memory or decent camera, not sure another SIM could offer a lot more?

I am a bit daft adding £10 a month. I could stretch it to £10 every 3 months (only just thought of that - doh!)

So that works out at £3.33 per month. I have in the past let it run 2 months without topping up but it makes me anxious to do it longer, and that would be £5 per month...so beats giffgaff by £1! 

Thank you for the prompt though, as my brain isn't firing on all cylinders, it's like I am thinking in slow motion. It has really helped me tremendously when people point things out - kick starts my brain into analysing it properly!  I think I will opt to keep T*sco for now, as I keep getting a bit over-whelmed by stuff, and go for topping it up every 2 months. 

I don't really use the mobile except as a contact when I am out, or for emergencies, I don't use a phone the same as everyone else. I notice that a lot of people are constantly using them, head down all the time, and unaware of their surroundings. I can't do that.... Sorry, rambling on!

Irenadler

savingwannabe said:

Irene you are being so positive, well done in working so hard. It is so tough right now but you are approaching every decision with gusto. I cant think of anything useful so I am sending you a hug!!! 

Hello Savingwannabe

Aw, thank you, big hugs back! 

Don't always feel positive, but, don't want to be a total downer on here.... This is going to be a positive place for me to post and I am not looking back. Thank you to you and everyone for your encouragement. If I follow Elmer's prompting on the cost of the mobile, and cut down to £5 per month, that means my outgoings drop another £5 so they stand at £310.44, leaving me £99.45 a month! A squeak under £100 or nearly £25 a week for food, etc. That's more than 2.5 times what I thought I would have over to feed me and the furry one... 

I am amazed how much I have managed to post too. I can definitely see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...