DS: Whats the real excuse?

Question

So we've all seen it at one point or another on here, someone wanting advice or a home remedy, but simply can't "afford it" Yes times are hard. I get that, hell I just spent close to 2 grand paying rent and bills today alone and that doesn't even include groceries and gas for the car.

Has anyone noticed though that even though things are tough and people are loosing their jobs these people still manage to have the internet(neighbors and libraries aside)? Maybe even their cell phones? Now yes there are some people out there who are at rock bottom and no amount of penny pinching is really going to help, but we're not talking about them. I mean people who could do without somethings but instead make their dog's do without.

So I did some quick math to figure out how much EXTRA I would have if I cut out the extras for 6 months to a year. Just telling Time Warner to kiss off for 6 months would net me an extra 500-600 bucks right there. By the end of a year with all extras reduced if not cut out all together 2 grand if not more.

So my other question is for those living to paycheck to paycheck right now what have you done to have the extra money if needed (pet or human emergency)? And for those who aren't necessarily feeling the pinch right now if you cut out your extra's how much could you have extra in a similar time frame?

Answer 1

How's this for frugal-



meat- it's free- hunted, or provided by friends who farm (we give them veggies, they give us chickens)



vegetables- free. i grow them. i canned 40 quarts of tomato sauce last year- i dont' even know how much in pickles, salsa, jam, etc.... it was so much. the water is gravity fed from rain barrels.



gas- sure, i have a car. but i bike to work, and my daughter bikes to school. (living local is a luxury)



heat- we don't heat our bedroom- at all. the rest of the place is heated just enough to keep the pipes from freezing. i always say "if you're cold, put on a sweater. if you're still cold, put on another one!"



smokes- ahhh, well, it's a luxury, i'll admit- but i buy the cheapest generics, don't indulge TOO much, and roll my own when things get tight.



processed foods- NONE. sometimes i buy bread for convenience, but no chips, cookies, soda, etc. it's NOT allowed.



recreation- we stay at the cabin every weekend. we take our dogs, so no kenneling, etc. a friend who lives out of state owns the cabin, and we trade work on it (maintenance, winterization, etc) for the use of it. we don't go to the movies (watch occassionally on Hulu) don't have our own internet (we split the cost with a neighbor, and use it via wireless router) we have no cable, no home phone, etc.

i never buy a clothing item unless something literally disintegrates.



and STILL, after all of this, we often live paycheck to paycheck. but we manage to save a little, and keep $2500-$3000 in the savings for emergencies.

Answer 2

I do recommend taking a dog to the vet when its necessary, but I try not to judge other peoples financial situations, because I do not know how they live.



In my case, my internet is only $12 a month, which would not even pay for an office visit. If I gave up my cellphone, my phone bill would actually go UP, because where I live all the nearby cities (which is where all the businesses are) are long distance. I have a low cost plan and no long distance charges with my cellphone.



If I gave up both internet and phone, my chances of finding another job would be slim to none....interviewing is all done online or over the phone these days, and in my county unemployment is currently 15%.



I could give up TV if necessary, but $50 a month wouldnt get me very far. I just had my dog into the vet a couple of weeks ago for vomiting, and it cost me $80 (which came out of my savings). I think that is the lowest vet bill I have ever had (other than the vaccination clinic). They are usually over $100.....it cost me $120 just to have my old dog put down.



I doubt that a seriously ill dog would be able to wait six months for you to accumulate the extra money from turning off your TV.



I dont smoke....never could understand why people would want to roll money up and burn it.



All that to say....its easy to tell someone else that they should be able to come up with the money, somehow, but you really dont know if they can or not. I know people who are living in some pretty sad conditions themselves. I talked to two women yesterday who are living without electricity, and who get their water from a neighbors well. I have people I could ask for help if I desperately needed it, but not everyone does.



The tried and true "you shouldnt have a dog if you cant afford it" ignores the fact that financial conditions can change during a lifetime.



I have experienced some pretty impressive ups and downs in my own life, so I dont preach.

Answer 3

It's funny, I was laughing because I'm dirt freakin poor! We are talking $550 USD/mo income, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats (well, now three if this one makes it). Granted I live in Mexico, but grocery are the same if not more expensive here, rent is a lot cheaper, electronics are WAY more expensive, and we do with only what we need (the other things we work out with neighbors; cable, etc). Anyhow, I just afforded a 4-5 week old kitten vet emergency care (still might not make it, it's a wait and see kind of thing), kitten formula, pain medicine, x-ray, and antibiotics; $56 USD... a huge chunk for me, but it needed help and how can i say "no"? Couldn't take it to the so called "pound" here, they let cats sit in cages (crammed) all ages and sexes, babies dying on the wire in the hot sun with no water, shade or food (and yes I have photos of it)! But, it got me to thinking that beer, pop and smokes are soooo much cheaper than a gallon of milk, how backwards is that? I guess I'm just rambling, so my point is this: If there is a will, there is a way, because I don't get charity of any kind here, there are no breaks! The way I see it, if I can do it, then so can others (and look I have internet, not the most reliable but I have it). When I get back to work, things will get better, and we can do more things, but for now, we seem to get by, and I can always lean on my mom of need be.



ADD: make that 2 cats, the little one just took his last breath, and is over the rainbow bridge, no more pain.

Answer 4

I actually just had this conversation with my mother the other day. Start off with American Pit Bull TERRIER. Meaning, they need a lot of exercise and a lot of attention. Then add on that Pits have been bred for centuries to fight other dogs. There is really no surprise when one decides to attack another dog. The heritage spells a lot of it out. These are strong dogs that can be absolutely wonderful in the right hands. But in the wrong hands, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. On the happy side, a dog that I fell in love with at a shelter has been adopted. She had the most adorable ears for a Border Collie, if I were able to take her I would have.

Answer 5

Unless I suffer a severe reversal of fortune I have enough for my dogs vet bills. Which are pretty darn high, my scottie has been having treatment for lymphoma for over a year now. I figure that owning a dog is like having a child, If I couldn't afford it then I wouldn't have one. I consider my expenses before getting a dog. If things got so bad that I couldn't pay for vet care, I would return the dogs to the rescues where I got them. In the case of my scottie, I would probably have to have him euthanized, since rescues can't afford cancer treatment. I volunteer at my local shelter and it's appalling how bad people treat man's best friend. Neglect is worse than the out right abuse, because it is so amazingly prevalent. I don't mind some types of home remedies for minors problems, but the stuff where the dog is panting, walking in circles, and whining? come on, I want to climb through the internet and put the dog out of it's misery with a gun. The fact that I don't own a gun or want to doesn't change how I feel.

Answer 6

Wow, I love your question. I by NO means rich, and have always had to budget carefully. There are only 2 humans in my household right now, and one way I save money is buying in bulk. I buy a family size package of meat, (when it's on sale), separate it into 2 servings each, and freeze.

With gas prices, I buy a bus pass, and ride the bus often. This saves on gas and parking, but unfortunately, not insurance, lol.

When my contract with Sprint expired, I did not renew it. I have a pre-paid cell phone now, which works fine for me, since I didn't use it that much anyway, and texting I can live without.

I bundled my Charter cable and internet, but I don't trust them with a phone, so have a very basic land line plan. I also complain when Charter has 'issues', and ask for a credit (which happens).

I cook at home almost every night. I have a very TINY yard, but I grow tomatoes, peppers, sqaush, okra and mixed lettuce in containers, and they are flourishing....I'm freezing/canning/pickling. It's a good thing I like to cook. We rarely eat out, but enjoy every bite and minute when we do. I don't stop at Starbucks anymore. I can make a perfectly lovely Non-Fat Vanilla Latte at home.

I haven't bought a NEW outfit for years, but I have bought "new to me" clothes at a consignment shop. (Sorry, but Goodwill doesn't carry what I will wear).

I no longer buy bottled water. I did buy a Britta pitcher, and pour that water in OLD (well washed) water bottles. I actually like that better, as I can stick the water in the freezer, and it stays cold all morning, as I sip it.

When the checker at the grocery store asks "Paper or Plastic", I ask for paper. I use those paper bags for draining anything fried, instead of paper towels. When eating at home, we don't use paper napkins of paper towels. We use old CLEAN wash cloths. Even for company, I have linen napkins...much more elegant too.

I have so many money saving tips. I've lived like this all my life. My home is paid for, my cars are paid for. I have a few dollars in the bank. I put 2 boys through college (they had to help, with scholarships, grants and part time jobs).

When my dog needs to go to the vet for an emergency, of course I can pay on the spot, but....having been a dog lover/owner for so many years, I am pretty good about assessing what is an acutal emergency and what is not.



Now....I'm going to give a tip to those who are living paycheck to paycheck. This isn't the time for you to adopt a pet. A pet is a lifetime commitment.



Best wishes.

Answer 7

I may not have alot in my savings account, so I'm semi-paycheck-to-paycheck but I still meet the bills & can afford some extras (netflix, cable tv, weight watchers, gym membership, eating out once a week).

Of course, I'm psycho-nut with caring for my dog -- he came from the shelter getting a good dog food, but I tracked down a better one so we are in the process of switching now (LOL). And i tell my husband all the time "you'll be eating kraft mac n' cheese and peanut butter & jelly 3-meals a day before the quality of the dog's food decreases".

If we sat down & figured it all out, I'm sure I could easily get $200-$300 extra per month just by eliminating the 'extras' that aren't really needed to survive.

Answer 8

While my boyfriend and I were living together with my 2 dogs...I quit paying my gym membership and worked out at home (which in turn got an extra run for my dogs, bonus), I stopped buying all 'feel good about yourself all organic food' and switched to some store brand options, made my coffee instead of going to the cafe, canceled my backpacker subscription, didn't buy anything I didn't need, and cut the bob marley.



We broke up and I ended up living by myself in a small apartment and after a lot of trying I re homed my boxer to a really good friend. She is now happily living with 2 kids, on a lot of land, and running free. :] My pit bull is on my parents farm out of state while I relocate. It's sacrafices that you have to make sometimes for the better of your dogs. I had to do it, I didn't want to do it but I love my dogs. That's why I get so upset when I hear or see a neglected dog because there's NO reason. I have a really good job so I'm getting my pit back the 1st of the month after 2 months of searching for a dog loving landlord and a big place. :]

Answer 9

I live paycheck to paycheck sometimes....



For starters, I have had an emergency that came up with Murphy and $3.40 in my checking account. Guess what? I called his vet and they told me to bring him in, and pay later. I imagine that if you have a good relationship with a vet's office and you cant afford something that second, they would take care of you regardless.

That being said, I get paid every other week....if needed my whole paycheck COULD go towards a vet bill.



1. I have several people that I could borrow money from for an emergency. People that I've helped along the way, people that trust me to pay them back within a short period of time. I've done that once or twice....not dog related...but car broke down...etc.



2. There are always parents and my insignificant other....both of which I WOULD HATE to ask for money, but if push came to shove...i would.



3. There is always the possibility of taking a paycheck loan out, or opening a credit card.



I've been a single mom for the last 10 or more years and know what its like NOT to have money. There are ALWAYS options...there is ALWAYS something that you can do!



I really dont buy into the excuses.....

Answer 10

I'm dirt poor right now. I just had a baby, 2 weeks later my husband lost his job. I have two older children (6 and 9) as well AND three dogs. It wasn't always this way. When we bought our house 2 years ago we were doing great with money to spare. We've always had a general savings for emergencies, doggy and otherwise. BUT that has changed. We have had to dip into savings just to live.



Here's the thing though...I would not let my dog sit and suffer due to my inability to pay. I have to have the internet and cell phone for my job (I work from home) but I have done everything else I can to reduce the amount of money going out. i.e. Unplugging the "beer" fridge in the garage, using a washing line instead of the dryer, reducing the tv package we use, not eating out ever, etc.



So now what to do...we had a situation come up recently with one of my dogs that caused concern. He started vomiting some red stuff that looked like blood. I took the wait and see approach. He vomited 2 times, but was still drinking water and acting normally. He grazed over his food and then didn't eat the rest. I decided that since he was drinking and acting normally, I could wait a little while. I decided to set a time, for me it was until the next morning. If he vomited again, stopped eating completely, or stopped drinking, I would take him in to the vet in the morning. Luckily it turned out just fine. He didn't vomit again and ate fine the next day. Even though I have NO money, I would have taken him in the next day and either got on a payment plan with the vet, or put it on a credit card. If it would have been something so drastically expensive or unlikely he would have survived, I would have paid to have him humanely euthanized.



So, I'm living it right now...things happen....BUT I feel like as a mother and a pet owner I am doing what I can to reduce my spending so we can afford to deal with emergencies should they arise.

Answer 11

Not only on this site but on the Internet and the world in general. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of them out there -- as there are plenty of other *ssholes and such -- who can't bother taking their dogs to the Vet. Yes, they don't bother -- because after all they can afford a computer, and a house, and Internet, etc. It makes me sick to think for every person that does everything to end up paying the Vet bills, EVEN when this person is in a great loss of money, there are five who sit in their comfortable warm houses, with their Iphones and Blackberries, a good job and NO excuse to ignore the animal that has been brought to their responsibility.



When we own a pet, we are actually committing ourselves to something for the next few years of our life. Sadly, no matter how much Vets, breeders, shelter people, etc. warn them ("a dog is for life and not for Christmas" stuff) they continue to persist that a dog is something that they can throw in the bin when they don't want to play with anymore, a mere lifeless toy. It isn't only sad, it's scary, to know that there are actually people out there who would do the same thing to a child.

Answer 12

Vet bills add up, you pay for one part of the treatment, then before you know it, the second, then third, then forth... and we head into the thousands! So people notice when £2000 leaves their bank account all of a sudden, whereas internet bills, electricity bills etc leave your bank account monthly or whatever, so you never see that money anyway- hence you don't notice it leave. I think that's the difference.



I'm not saying that's an excuse, and of course one should always put their pets before their 'wants', but sadly not everyone does.

...........................



We have enough money right now to live comfortably paying for all that needs to be payed for and we have extra money for luxuries. We have enough to pay for our vet bills- we had Fern health tested back in January as well as having to have her tail removed- we could pay for that because we don't 'waste' money on stupid things. People and pets come first. If we couldn't afford them, we wouldn't have them.

Answer 13

It's funny because I've checked user's past Qs occasionally when they post about not having money for Vet care... & have seen things pop up regarding buying a new iphone, or clothing, etc. & I think to myself "If you are considering sinking a few hundred dollars on a phone surely you can "sink" a few hundred dollars into your dog's health"

It amazes me. Times can't be that hard when you are posting your Qs about your dog's health from your new iphone.



I know what it's like to pinch pennies & deal with a sick dog at the same time. About a year ago, when my old dog was still with me, she was very ill & it was nearly a full time commitment to even care for her in general, let alone shell out the money for medical costs.

I found a way.

That is why I am 100% confident that anyone else can too. I *know* what kind of money hole I was in & was still able to get the proper care for my dog... going through it first hand gives me all the confidence in the world to tell others to get off their lazy a***es & DO something.



Nevermind just expenses for my dog, I've sold posessions of mine for far less than their actual worth when I needed money.

You do what you gotta do.

Answer 14

hi there i have been living on a tight budget since i was 13 and im now 30 so as u can c ive had it pretty tough anyhow when it cums to food shoppin i know people say cheap stuff is rubbish but trust me sum stuff ive had from tescos ova the years are really good everybody has there favourite brands but i can feed my family of 5 on 40 a week most of my friends dont know how i do it on average most people wud be lucky to see 3 or 4 bags of shopping for that amount but im able to get at the most 8 to 12 bags hope this is of sum use to u ive budgeted so hard for so many years now that i have never had the chance to go night clubbing or even go out 4 a quiet drink with afew m8s once a month

Answer 15

Funny - my Jakie (pictured, left, blond, getting owned by his brother Roscoe in a patch of fennel in our herb garden) has a pinkish bump on his nose that we're not 100% sure is not cancer (don't worry we're on top of it vet-wise - believe me - we bring our vet so much business we have our own reserved parking space there).

Now, on the 1% chance it IS cancer - treatment for the type of cancer it would be can run you up to $15,000 over time, and it typically doesn't 'cure' the cancer - it just buys your dog some time, so alot of dog owners opt to put their dog down. I told my wife all of this and asked her a hypothetical - how much would we spend to treat Jakie - inotherwords, what would be the limit, at which we would draw the line and put him down instead.

She said "as much as it takes".

She had a cat (before she met me) that had cancer - and even though she was broke she got that cat treated even though it meant that she had to juggle which utilities she could keep on and sometimes WENT HUNGRY.

That, ladies and gentleman, is my wife when it comes to animals.

Thing is - with my Jakie, I agree. $15k would put us in the ***** weeds ... but, crazy as it may seem to some ... (gulp) I would do it.



For those of you who just read all that background - thanks for indulging me.



THAT SAID - I've seen enough people lose their jobs these days - responsible people - with families - to realize that there ARE very valid situations.



So - I draw the line at: people who WERE very prepared to financially care for their dogs - but got blindsided by something bad happening - like losing your job, losing your health insurance, etc. and truly have no other options.



These people - I feel tremendous empathy for. Imagine how horrible being in that situation is. Imagine the feeling of helplessness, and then the guilt. It might haunt you for, what, ever? My god.



That said - I believe most of the people who post this type of Q are not in this type of situation. They're looking for a cheap way out. They do NOT have the feeling of obligation - the COURAGE - to do without their comforts - much less their electricity or even dinner! And when this is the case - this type of Q pisses me off more than any other.



I even posted a Q a while back saying "what Q bugs you the most?" and tagged THIS type of Q as mine.

Answer 16

I have noticed that as well and did some quick maths before answering this now if i got rid of my internet my mobile phone my land line phone my sky package just adding all of that up would save me £4000 a year now if people have no money for vet bills but still continue to have those luxury's then there is something very wrong



I have dog insurance and a fund in a separate bank account for my dogs in case insurance wont cover them .



I also have private medical insurance as well even though we get free health care in the UK that is why i make sure my dogs are provided for like i do myself

Answer 17

Internet can be accessed at many public places, like your local library, for no cost at all.



I DO use home remedies for many things -- why? Because I know which ones WORK (and many I got from my dear friend a vet! Things like "blue power" for ear infections, robutussin DM for kennel cough, super ivy dry for hot spots and the biggest money saver -- making your own heartworm preventative -- pennies instead of hundreds of dollars!!)



Throwing away money is silly. Saving it for stuff that there are no effective home remedies for is important!

Answer 18

Ive often wondered.. is the economy really bad.. or are people complaining because they cant afford all the luxuries they are used to having?



we cut off the cable and went to internet only.. that saved at least $50 a month



cancelled both WoW accounts saved us $30 a month.. we may reopen the accounts in the wintertime tho, as $30 a month for 2 accounts is cheaper than one nite out to the movies.



eating at home more and packing lunches instead of eating out saves quite a bit- not to mention its healthier.



quitting or cutting back smoking.



Considering switching to pre-paid cell phones instead of contract (we dont have a home phone, but that is an option to consider as well)



going out to see movies less often... some things we wait until it comes out on DVD instead to rent or just buy (we often end up buying the movie anyways) finding cheaper ways to spend our idle time together, such as playing board games.

Answer 19

The pawn shop can be your best friend in your time of need, especially if theres a vet bill. I don't have many luxeries. I have my cellphone (which is also how I use my internet) and my cable. Both of those add up to $80.

If anything were to happen to one of my animals *knock on wood* I'd be pawning stuff and borrowing.

Answer 20

I lived on 229.00 per week for 5 months when I was on short term disability. I cut back on my cell phone, internet, cable, and food for myself. I still had money in my savings for any emergencies, and my dog never suffered. I figure if I can do it, anyone can.

Had a problem came up with my dog and he needed surgery, I would have sold my bike in a heart beat. You do what you have to do..

Answer 21

I live on $856 a month which is the amount for medical disability where I live. I am lucky that my family has money and they pay my rent. They also pay for any vet bills my dog has. I do not feel guilty about it because I am going to die and not that I feel entitled to help, I just accept it and feel thankful. I do have a computer but I get my internet from a local coffee shop, and my cable comes from my neighbor. I don't really understand the point of your question, other than to judge people you know nothing about.

Answer 22

Lmao... my sentiments exactly... I wonder how many people were begging for home remedies sat at some top of the range PC...



I'n unemployed and even if my Hooch's vet bills were mine to pick up (which they're not), there's still money there for him - just like to have that safety net.



Will answer the rest later.



I'm guessing the TDs are because I said Hooch's bill are not mine... presumably you think I'm cheating somehow? What I am doing is perfectly legit so you can all do one.