Thursday, January 20, 2011
Pet insurance: a good investment or crazy waste of cash?
First example: Duncan
I just signed Duncan up for it last year. It costs me about $200 a year to cover him ($200 deduc/90% repay) and he needs it.
I just signed Duncan up for it last year. It costs me about $200 a year to cover him ($200 deduc/90% repay) and he needs it.
My little Dunky Monkey apparently has bad mouth chemistry. He's had 10 teeth taken out and one that just fell out at the doctor. $975. That same year, he did something expensively stupid: pinched a nerve in his hip late on a Saturday night, which looked EXACTLY like the time my mom's cat had a blood clot in his hip that meant we had to put him to sleep. YIKES. Emergency visit and another $500.
The year before, Mr D had cost me $600 on other silly but expensive things. Considering I spend anywhere from $500-$1000 to care for him a year, spending $400 to get 90% of that back is good money.
Sadder example: Lily
I also just spent $1500 in a blink of an eye on Lily, aka my “totally healthy” cat, to find out that her body was shutting down, turns out from cancer. If I’d had insurance, that experience would have only cost me about $400.
I also just spent $1500 in a blink of an eye on Lily, aka my “totally healthy” cat, to find out that her body was shutting down, turns out from cancer. If I’d had insurance, that experience would have only cost me about $400.
Insurance couldn't have fixed Lily or reduce the pain of losing her, but it would have made it less financially painful.
My result?
Never thought I’d be an insurance promoter. But what I’ve learned is that it’s not the expensive life-extending stuff that gets you. Most of us have a threshold where our wallet says, "um, is this really worth it?"
Never thought I’d be an insurance promoter. But what I’ve learned is that it’s not the expensive life-extending stuff that gets you. Most of us have a threshold where our wallet says, "um, is this really worth it?"
It’s the unexpected teeth removal. Or the pinched nerve. Or the conk on the head that knocks the little guy unconscious. This stuff isn’t cheap. And I’d rather not put a healthy animal to sleep just because I think it’s too expensive to care for his (sorry Duncan but you're the one who earns this qualifier) stupid but pretty minor accidents.
I have insurance on me. And my car. And my home. I always thought that was silly too. Til I needed it. After the last couple of years, I feel the same way with pet insurance.
Rest in peace, my pretty Lily. I miss you every day.
Wow, it's been a while
Starting with: that car I was so happy to pay off? Yeah, it was demolished in a freak non-driving accident two months later.
New car has wiring that's possessed by gremlins. Otherwise, runs like a top. But gremlins.
New car has wiring that's possessed by gremlins. Otherwise, runs like a top. But gremlins.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
CAR PAID OFF!!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Balancing responsibility and fun
With my larger-than-expected tax return, I paid off a large part of my car loan--leaving me with just $384 on the little bugger.
And after another unexpectedly large (deliciously so) financial windfall, I knew I was going to commit a large chunk to savings and a smaller chunk to debt repayment. And then I decided that I wanted to blow part of it.
Now mind you, I'm in debt. I recognize that fact. I'm actually moving a big part of my credit card debt over to a LendingClub loan to reduce the interest rate (by 2%... not a ton) and to get it 100% in my name only (it's currently on a shared card w/my mom).
So debt is on my mind. However, I have two years to go. And that's with the purse strings gathered so tight that you could play a Bach violin sonata on them.
I've been doing really well. So I decided that with the delicious windfall, I would save 40%, pay debt with 30%, and blow 30%.
That makes me happy. I get to have some fun and I feel more secure by building a bit more of a savings cushion. It's still more like a travel pillow than a sofa bed, but it's a bigger cushion than I've had. And it means I can flow more bills that come from left field, including cat dental work.
Yes, I'm having a mini vacation from my debt slog. And I feel good about it.
And after another unexpectedly large (deliciously so) financial windfall, I knew I was going to commit a large chunk to savings and a smaller chunk to debt repayment. And then I decided that I wanted to blow part of it.
Now mind you, I'm in debt. I recognize that fact. I'm actually moving a big part of my credit card debt over to a LendingClub loan to reduce the interest rate (by 2%... not a ton) and to get it 100% in my name only (it's currently on a shared card w/my mom).
So debt is on my mind. However, I have two years to go. And that's with the purse strings gathered so tight that you could play a Bach violin sonata on them.
I've been doing really well. So I decided that with the delicious windfall, I would save 40%, pay debt with 30%, and blow 30%.
That makes me happy. I get to have some fun and I feel more secure by building a bit more of a savings cushion. It's still more like a travel pillow than a sofa bed, but it's a bigger cushion than I've had. And it means I can flow more bills that come from left field, including cat dental work.
Yes, I'm having a mini vacation from my debt slog. And I feel good about it.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
March goals
It's the start of the month and it's nice to have something to be living for. So here are a few of the things I'd like to do this month:
- Financial: Pay off my car loan; start funding my bonus account
- Personal: Let go of my anger towards the hair woman--who still owes me $95 that I'm pretty sure I won't get.
- Hobbies: Make a dress using my new dressform; finish the skirt I started.
- Social: Happy hour with my work girls; happy hour with my club girls; Oscar party; make plans for an April outing with one of the couples we've promised to meet up with.
- Fitness: Do yoga at least once a week (preferably twice); run the same number of times as I do yoga.
- Home: Keep it clean; hang up my clothes!; spend 15 minutes a day neatening.
- Freelance: Borrow some web design books from the library; look for web design classes nearby.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
I wanted to spend money but just couldn't do it
Okay, let's be clear. I can spend money. There's never been any question. But I was on vacation from work for a few days--just taking care of home stuff, practicing some hobbies, and overall refreshing the spirit.
I had a couple of ideas of things I would do during this time. I wanted to get a cupcake from the little shop down the block. I wanted to sit outside and read a book at the coffee shop I adore. I wanted to get takeout from this newish vegan restaurant.
I bought the cupcake and after eating it, realized that I don't do this more often because I just don't eat sugar any more... and this has way too much sugar for me. As in, I felt dizzy. Instead of reading my book at the coffee shop over a coffee and sandwich, I read it on my patio with a glass of wine. And despite considering the vegan restaurant several times, I just couldn't justify spending $15 on takeout. My fridge and pantry are stocked--with lots of food that I really like.
So instead of spending money frivolously, I feel like I saved. Which is why I instead bought:
I had a couple of ideas of things I would do during this time. I wanted to get a cupcake from the little shop down the block. I wanted to sit outside and read a book at the coffee shop I adore. I wanted to get takeout from this newish vegan restaurant.
I bought the cupcake and after eating it, realized that I don't do this more often because I just don't eat sugar any more... and this has way too much sugar for me. As in, I felt dizzy. Instead of reading my book at the coffee shop over a coffee and sandwich, I read it on my patio with a glass of wine. And despite considering the vegan restaurant several times, I just couldn't justify spending $15 on takeout. My fridge and pantry are stocked--with lots of food that I really like.
So instead of spending money frivolously, I feel like I saved. Which is why I instead bought:
- A bereavement card for some friends who lost their pet. $5
- A bottle of Tanqueray (great sale!!). $16.45
- Pet grass seed. $20.26
Why I spent $32.93 instead of $10.96
After spending two hours wrapped in saran wrap and duct tape (homemade dressform), I needed a lampstand for a sewing project. I started my search by unsuccessfully checking three thrift shops before I decided Target would be the best retail option. Wrong! All their floor lamps were super expensive -- at least for my purposes.
So off I traipsed to Big Lots. Or off I attempted to traipse... there being a marathon happening in Pasadena that day. Which I knew about. And still went to Target... smack dab in the middle of the course. After several wrong choices, I ended up going home the same way I came, except significantly more frustrated than before.
It was in this mindset that I went to Big Lots. Yes, they had a floor lamp. Yes, it had a sturdy base and would fit my needs superbly. But it was $30. With tax, $32.93. So I bought it, thinking that if I could find a cheaper one, I could return it. But inside, I knew full well that I was done shopping and driving and looking. I was irritated and I wanted to finish my dressform.
When I got home, I checked IKEA's web site. They had a lampstand in stock for just $9.99. And two more for under $20. But the store is near my job (I was on vacation and didn't want to drive to a place that's basically right next to work), 12 miles away. And did I mention that I was annoyed with the universe? I justified by thinking that the drive was a gallon of gas. Which is approx $3.20. I know, my justification math sucks. Have I mentioned that I'm a writer--not a mathematician?
I also thought to check freecycle. Within two hours, someone emailed offering me a free broken floor lamp. And yes, by that point, I'd actually finished stuffing my dressform with newspaper and fiberfill onto the Big Lots lampstand.
More often than not, spending is situational. And it's always a choice. I made my choice -- buy the convenience and fulfillment of completing my task.
On Sunday, convenience cost me $18.77. And was worth every single penny.
So off I traipsed to Big Lots. Or off I attempted to traipse... there being a marathon happening in Pasadena that day. Which I knew about. And still went to Target... smack dab in the middle of the course. After several wrong choices, I ended up going home the same way I came, except significantly more frustrated than before.
It was in this mindset that I went to Big Lots. Yes, they had a floor lamp. Yes, it had a sturdy base and would fit my needs superbly. But it was $30. With tax, $32.93. So I bought it, thinking that if I could find a cheaper one, I could return it. But inside, I knew full well that I was done shopping and driving and looking. I was irritated and I wanted to finish my dressform.
When I got home, I checked IKEA's web site. They had a lampstand in stock for just $9.99. And two more for under $20. But the store is near my job (I was on vacation and didn't want to drive to a place that's basically right next to work), 12 miles away. And did I mention that I was annoyed with the universe? I justified by thinking that the drive was a gallon of gas. Which is approx $3.20. I know, my justification math sucks. Have I mentioned that I'm a writer--not a mathematician?
I also thought to check freecycle. Within two hours, someone emailed offering me a free broken floor lamp. And yes, by that point, I'd actually finished stuffing my dressform with newspaper and fiberfill onto the Big Lots lampstand.
More often than not, spending is situational. And it's always a choice. I made my choice -- buy the convenience and fulfillment of completing my task.
On Sunday, convenience cost me $18.77. And was worth every single penny.
Friday, February 19, 2010
And to be fair, a great Lily photo
My current favorite Duncan photo
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Why I don't believe in bankruptcy
Although this might be an unpopular opinion, I think that most of the time, bankruptcy is not an option. Let me explain why.
I've declared bk. In 2001, when I was 26. I think I was $22K in debt and was so stressed and disheartened by the payments that I thought I would never dig out. Fast forward to a little over a year ago--September 2008. I was back to $55K in debt and feeling much the same as I did in 2001. I was barely making my minimum payments and it felt like I'd never get out. So like I often do when I feel like I don't know enough to handle a situation properly, I started reading.
I read Jerold Mundis' How to Get Out of Debt. I reread Suze Orman and started watching her show every Saturday (or Tivoing it). I read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book.
And since then I've paid off 22% of my debt. I'm down to $41K and will be completely free of consumer debt (cc's and loans) by the middle of 2012.
(I'd be further along but I continued using my cards for the first 8 months--doh!)
First step to success: cutting up your cards. This is the one that basically changed my ways. Well, I actually froze them in a bag of peas in the freezer, but same thing--I'm not defrosting them for anything.
Second for people who feel like minimums are killing you: call your credit card companies to explain your hardship and ask them for help. They may laugh at you. But they also might offer help and actually bring you some relief.
If you have debt, keep in mind that I don't know how you got here. I got here by using the ostrich method of managing my finances--head permanently buried in the sand while I handed over my credit card to pay for everything from new shoes to gasoline.
But regardless of your path: whether it was using credit to spend more money than you made or something awful like medical expenses, you still spent money that you're responsible for. And believe me, when I say I mean that with love. Because I know how you feel. I have felt under the crushing weight of debt most of my life. But there is a way out and there are people who can help you get started and stay motivated.
For me, bankruptcy wasn't a relief. It was in the short-term, but because I got into debt by overspending, I returned to my habits after the dust cleared. It wasn't a long-term fix.
I've declared bk. In 2001, when I was 26. I think I was $22K in debt and was so stressed and disheartened by the payments that I thought I would never dig out. Fast forward to a little over a year ago--September 2008. I was back to $55K in debt and feeling much the same as I did in 2001. I was barely making my minimum payments and it felt like I'd never get out. So like I often do when I feel like I don't know enough to handle a situation properly, I started reading.
I read Jerold Mundis' How to Get Out of Debt. I reread Suze Orman and started watching her show every Saturday (or Tivoing it). I read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book.
And since then I've paid off 22% of my debt. I'm down to $41K and will be completely free of consumer debt (cc's and loans) by the middle of 2012.
(I'd be further along but I continued using my cards for the first 8 months--doh!)
Second for people who feel like minimums are killing you: call your credit card companies to explain your hardship and ask them for help. They may laugh at you. But they also might offer help and actually bring you some relief.
If you have debt, keep in mind that I don't know how you got here. I got here by using the ostrich method of managing my finances--head permanently buried in the sand while I handed over my credit card to pay for everything from new shoes to gasoline.
But regardless of your path: whether it was using credit to spend more money than you made or something awful like medical expenses, you still spent money that you're responsible for. And believe me, when I say I mean that with love. Because I know how you feel. I have felt under the crushing weight of debt most of my life. But there is a way out and there are people who can help you get started and stay motivated.
For me, bankruptcy wasn't a relief. It was in the short-term, but because I got into debt by overspending, I returned to my habits after the dust cleared. It wasn't a long-term fix.
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