How did it come to this?

ZTD · 2 January 2018 at 9:16PM

erniethecat wrote: »

Couponing should be easy for me, as I can use my claws to cut out the coupons!

Hit the websites as well. There are techniques and sources for coupons to be learned.

erniethecat wrote: »

We got a free 30 day trial with YNAB - do you think we should take them up on it?

Some people swear by YNAB, others at it. Personally I use https://www.gnucash.org/ but be warned it's actually an accounting system, though it does have a budget planner built in (which I don't use).

Since it's a fully fledged double-entry bookkeeping system most people would find it complete overkill for what they need, but it sits OK with me.

redofromstart · 2 January 2018 at 9:28PM

What a handsome chap you are Ernie.

ERICS_MUM · 2 January 2018 at 9:51PM

Am I missing something ? How do you all know that Ernie is handsome ? I can’t see a pic,x

ZTD · 2 January 2018 at 9:56PM

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Am I missing something ? How do you all know that Ernie is handsome ? I can’t see a pic,x

Go into your settings and turn on "Show Avatars".

erniethecat · 3 January 2018 at 12:31AM

I have to confess, I have been VERY naughty today. Mum went back to work, and I tried to distract her every way I could. I sat on her desk. I sat on her keyboard. I sat on her notes. I ate her notes. I sat on the desk and went to bite her hands every time she moved them. I was so busy, I missed my afternoon nap, so now I'm really grumpy.

However, mum did awesome. We had our first (ever?) NSD! The grocery man did not come - apparently we are only eating what is already in the house. Fortunately, we have about 3 weeks cat food stored, so she'll starve before I do!!

Okay, we're going to check out some other threads before it's sleepy time!

Tahlullah · 3 January 2018 at 12:55AM

Hello Ernie. How wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have a cat called Rufus who is a bit younger than you but just as intelligent. He has been known to be a relevant part of my diary.

About YNAB. There are a few people, myself included on this site who swear by YNAB. It allows you to set a budget and to see where your money is truly going and more importantly, it encourages you to be honest with yourself regarding your spend. Yes it costs £40 a year, but that does not equate to £5 per month. I would recommend the trial. if it doesn't work, there is no loss to your human owner. Be warned, it needs perseverance, but when the penny drops it's a fantastic tool that really helps with the finances, more than a basic spreadsheet.

I will follow your diary with interest. Good luck with the encouragement of your human.

erniethecat · 3 January 2018 at 1:05AM

Thank you for all the compliments! I'm blushing!

erniethecat · 4 January 2018 at 2:28AM

I napped too much today. I was asleep and she was terribly naughty.

It started innocently enough. "I need a printer for Toastmasters" she said. Okay, well if her boss is going to start asking about how often she gets printer ink on the company, then, I can see why we need a printer. I did a bunch of research to find a printer that has low ink costs, and we bought it through Swagbucks at Best Buy, and it was $30 off on sale. So that was $65.

Then, it happens that Best Buy is next to Target and we need cereal. And cereal is on offer so, two boxes and we have a coupon so that was $1.50 saved. And soda. I know. We're trying to give it up, but mum is SO craving. And it's on sale, so 4 bottles for $5 instead of $10. Plus 5% off for using the special debit card. Total damage $9.41

I have been coughing up hairballs, so I needed some of that hairball stuff. Using the petsmart card saved $3.60. Total $15.58.

So you're thinking, that's not SO bad. No. It's not. And then, she talked to her friend. And booked a flight to go see her friend. $286.00

Good news - the money came out of a current account, not on a credit card, and there's still enough in there for the rest of the month, assuming we don't buy any more flights. Plus apart from boarding fees for me, she won't spend anything else all weekend because her friend will pay.

The thing is, we do lots of this. Friends, gifts, generosity. And then worry about what we'll do in old age.

Okay, we're not going to change this trip. But we are going to think carefully when we're trying to be generous in future. Because as they always say, put your own oxygen mask on first, right!?!

Now I have a paper towel I must rip into submission ......

Tahlullah · 4 January 2018 at 8:39AM

You are so lucky Ernie. When I go away I put Rufus in a cat hotel. You get to go on planes and on big grown up holidays!

Sometimes, owners need to see friends to touch base and get their head straight. Try being nice but next time you see her fingers hovering over the keyboard, jump on it!

Jpc1187 · 4 January 2018 at 8:51AM

4th Jan 18, 7:49 AM

JPC1187View public profileSend private messageFind more postsView all thanked postsAdd to contacts

Hi all I'm new to this so bare with me, I have recently applied for a mortgage with my current bank to which was accepted until I was told yesterday that I have a unpaid credit card default back from 2009 which I had totally for got about, the credit card provider was also my current bank which I applied to would this still cause me problems if I was to apply with another lender with it being nearly 10 years old?

How did it come to this?

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