Everything Happens at Once
@just4him (317241)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
November 21, 2015 4:31pm CST
I'm in a quandary. Pip needs surgery. While I was in the nursing home the cyst she had on her right thigh burst and bled and discharged pretty bad. The bill for that will be high and my Social Security doesn't come close to taking care of it. Since then it looks like it's starting to heal, but she is having a hard time walking and climbing stairs and favors her leg. I hate to see her in that condition. I really do and wish I could afford the surgery today.
Then there is the fact my computer desktop died a couple weeks ago. Another expense I can't afford, yet if I don't get a new desktop, I won't be able to do anything pretty soon. This laptop is also old and extremely slow.
My son keeps asking me which is more important - my computer or Pip. That is really unfair. It makes me feel like a bad dog owner. I love Pip and I don't want to see her like this. I really wish I had enough money to take care of both.
I've been checking the prices for computer towers - I don't need a whole computer, my monitor is just fine. I'm looking at Black Friday deals and finding some for under $200, which is a really good deal. But then I have my son's question hanging over my head. Which is more important?
They both are! I don't know what to do. BTW he doesn't like the fact I write books, says I'm not an author, and I should just quit. Because I self-published. He doesn't understand that's the best way to go these days.
So here I am, caught between two things I need to do and can't afford one and might be able to afford the other.
Thanks for reading.
12 people like this
13 responses
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
21 Nov 15
It would be temporary, and inconvenient, but most libraries will let you use computers there. Not nearly so good as having your own but still it is doable and is an option until you earn enough to replace your computer.
4 people like this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
21 Nov 15
First of all unless your son wants to pitch in and help with the finances he needs to keep his opinion to himself. I find his comment to his mother to be quiet rude, and bothersome to you. I know how much pain you are in with your dog suffering, and you should never have to make a decision which is more important. I know your heart is breaking right now.
Perhaps you can get a work at home job if you choose the computer, and make the money to pay payments for the dogs surgery. Do you think that might be an solution? There are phone jobs out there, that are legit and it might help you save your dog. If you are interested in hearing more about the jobs let me know and I will PM with you.
Another thing.... do not allow anyone put you down about writing books. I bet you have wrote some really neat books. My husband published his own novel this past year too. Keep up the good work. What kind of books do you write?
Please do not beat yourself up to much over this.
2 people like this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Nov 15
I've looked into work at home before I started getting Social Security. I never even got a nibble from them. Now I wouldn't be able to do it because I would most likely make more than allowed by SS.
I write Christian fiction and have three books available on Amazon.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342112)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 15
I'm with @slund2041. Your son should be a bit more supportive, certainly in his remarks about your writing. Pay no attention to his opinion. What does he know about the books you write and the market for them? I hope your problems resolve soon but ignore what your son is saying about your writing.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
21 Nov 15
You have completed books, and have sold books, Seems to me you are an author. Seems to me he is not happy about anything. Is he old enough to help pay for Pip to have surgery? Have you looked into a reconditioned tower?
2 people like this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Nov 15
I've been looking into refurbished towers this afternoon. I found some for under $200 and those are the Black Friday prices. Pip isn't his dog, so no, he won't help with the surgery cost.
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Nov 15
@JudyEv He has a minimum wage job and has just enough right now to pay for his classes for the coming semester in college. So it really isn't an option. He's really not being mean about it. Though I haven't asked him either. The finances just aren't there. So I'm going to save what I can from my Social Security and hope I can get both situations taken care of without too much time passing. I just wish vets had Black Friday discounts.
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Nov 15
It's not his dog, she's mine. When the vet told me the cost I was hopeful about payments but they don't do that. They told me to sign up for a credit card that would work for vet emergencies, I did, but with my bad credit - i.e. losing the house because it's in foreclosure, I was denied instantly. I've been thinking about seeing if there is another vet who is more affordable and will take payments.
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
22 Nov 15
Health of a loved one should be priority! I mean that is my priority.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
22 Nov 15
@just4him I know pets have health insurance. But do you think insurance companies offer life insurance coverage for pets? Never heard though. .
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Nov 15
You're right and Pip is a priority, but since she's a dog, there's no health insurance for her, and they want the full cost of the surgery up front. I don't have that kind of money. It's going to take a couple months of saving to get it.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Nov 15
@antonbunot I've heard of pet insurance but can't afford it. I don't have any kind of insurance.
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6902)
• Pensacola, Florida
22 Nov 15
If you don't find a good deal for a computer on Black Friday then I suggest checking out pawn shops as they sometimes have good deals on computers. That is where I got the lap top I am using now and have been quite happy. I would also check around the hoem and see if there is some things you could have a yard sale with (or take and get a table at a flea market one Saturday.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
22 Nov 15
That is going to be a hard decision but I know for me there is only one answer my dog is part of my family so she would have to be first. I would have to buy a computer second if I needed a new one. Is that all you have is your SS? Nothing from a retirement from where you worked?
Whatever decision you make is what you have to live with and Good Luck. Yes going to a library could be a life saver for you until you have enough to buy a computer.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Nov 15
I was fired from my job two years before I could apply for Social Security and though I applied everywhere, no one was hiring someone ready to retire in so short a time. So yes, all I have is my SS payment and it isn't a lot, but it does pay most bills. Because I was without an income for two years my home is also in foreclosure, so things aren't looking good financially. My son helped all he could during those two years keeping my head above water with the bills, but even he couldn't pay the mortgage. He's works at McDs so not great wages.
Pip is important to me. I understand about using the computer at the library. I can only use it for one hour and I would also be paying for parking at the library.
It is a hard decision.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50526)
• United States
21 Nov 15
I hope that you will be able to do both.
1 person likes this
@wetnosedogs (1533)
• United States
21 Nov 15
Goodness. Hope you get out of your mess soon.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Nov 15
So do I. I don't need anything more to go wrong right now.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
22 Nov 15
you need to do whatever you need to do. deff check black friday. talk to your vet, maybe a payment plan. there are some laptops that run 150 or so, and while I know. laptop, they still work for lotting and writing and stuff.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
22 Nov 15
@just4him that's good! Dont let people guilt you. You do what you have to do. It's hard to be at that spot, trying to juggle needs and needs
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Nov 15
@Jessicalynnt Yes it is. I had some good suggestions on getting a new tower. If I can find a good tower on Friday, I'll be happy.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Nov 15
It looks like I can get a tower for the same cost as a cheap laptop. I'm not looking for a whole computer/monitor set up. I don't even need another keyboard and mouse, I already have extras of both. So I'm checking towers and finding some decent prices and that will still leave me with enough to save for Pip.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61627)
• Centralia, Washington
22 Nov 15
Wow on your son saying you are not an author. You write. You are one. I am a bit frightened about our credit card bill. I added to it when I had the Vet take a growth from one of kitty's cheeks- cancer growth- and toward 400.00. But how to decide to put the kitty down cause of a growth? Hard decisions for sure. i wish the best for you.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61627)
• Centralia, Washington
22 Nov 15
@just4him Every month we pay extra for this kitty person's food cause it is Vet prescribed. Our Sonny James is a child to me- call me stupid but he is. He sleeps against my stomach at night. He came out of the cold one January night- snow and ice and a starving kitten who packed pneumonia, too. He grew to over 15 pounds. I will not put him down cause he has potty issues when he eats the wrong food. Take care.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Nov 15
Those are hard decisions. Your cat and my dog are part of our family and we just don't put family down - at least not without a fight. So I'm hoping to get the money together for Pip so I can get the rest of the cyst taken care of.
Thanks for that about my writing. I know I'm an author. He just doesn't understand the writing world.
@JudyEv (342112)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 15
Gosh, you are in a dilemma. Firstly ignore everything your son is saying about your writing. He should be being more supportive instead of undermining your confidence. I'm afraid I don't have many suggestions although there are some good ones in the comments below. I hope this problem resolves itself soon.
1 person likes this
