Not that anyone else's financial things are our business but, at least
around here, the places where you can get reduced charges WANT business.
People usually, like I do, add a bit to their bill and still save money.

We all have financial problems.  Husband dies, left with more credit card
than you knew, no medical insurance, house not paid for etc..  The one thing
I know is what my Grandma said "there is no getting around hardships, all
you can do is endure them" and she was right.

You know I had made a long nasty email in retaliation to this  but I erased
it for I don't care what you assume about me.  If you did not take the time
to read the other response and make your assumption than it is not worth it.
If you got crossed about it that is your fault for not taking the time and
reading the response post

But I will be nice here in this one but Don't ever questions that I won't do
anything I can to take care of my family. I have worked harder and longer
than most will ever know to make sure they were taken care of.  I have
sacrificed everything I could and would do it over again to make sure they
are taken care of.

One Christina what you remembering you are also forgetting a lot to the
story.   I had to sell my "EMPIRE " of  stores ( 3) at a major loss due to
the divorce;  even with my prenup the laws are still in favor of the wife in
Florida.  I lost 80% of the profit I was to get upon selling the stores and
house.  The market slumped so the house market was bad than so the house
sold for a 1/4 of what it was worth.  I live on what I have in the bank off
the interest.  So I am budget.  Yes I can afford to take the money out and
run up my credit cards with out thinking about it  but it effects me in the
long run  making  the money short in the budget.   The permits were
finalized this past Christmas but the stores were already gone.  2 Christmas
ago the divorce was finalized but the proceeding were going on the year
before  so this is 3 years total this has been going on.  A lot has
happening in those 3 years the money and glory days are gone.  I stand a
defeated man left to make sure his mother and his furballs are taken care
of.  I hope you are happy that I admitted this but it feels good to get off
my chest.  If I had all this money you assume I have I would have been
helping out those who need the help in the group

I took one cruise that I saved up for over a year to take.   It was a
discounted cruise in the off season so it was cheap. It was $400 for
everything that was the excursion, gratuities, food  anything and everything
that had to do with it. Think abut that $400 divided by 16  that is 25 a
month.  IF that was a lot of money since you are making out that I did the
grand adventures Cruises  I hate to see you idea of grand jour.

 I am planning to take another one or do something  when the group gets
together to plan out the RPCA adventure.  I am saving my pennies for that
one.  I have a fund set up for the cats  but it will be hurting once I take
Rumble in for the curve and Phantom in for his blood work to make sure his
hyperthyroidism it leveling out.  I was trying to keep as much money in
there just in case something pops up like it did a few months ago trying to
save Spirit's life when he went into respiratory failure  but hey I will
take it all out so the cats have no back up since it makes you "cross"  just
to make you happy  PS THAT IS NOT EVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

Also remember In am in the US not the UK   the low cost clinics here take
all the money they make and donate it to local shelters.  The free clinics
are for people who can't afford it.  I was considering the low cost clinic
since I could get the all in one shots for $7 and not have to pay 35 - 45
for each shot at a vets office that profits a vet I don't know or like since
my vet retired.  Lets see 7 dollars a cats compared around $45 a cat times 5
that is $35 or $225.  It could save me money so I could also donate to the
clinic but hey Christina lets make assumptions and make some comments before
you remember the whole thing.  No problem

I would love for you to live where I do and off what was left over and take
care of 5 cats and an elderly mom plus live with out using credit cards and
make sure the money in the bank will last till both of us are dead.  One of
the reason I had to go back to work to make sure money was there for the
small stuff and anything extra goes into the cat fund.  If it gets any worse
I will have to go back full time two jobs and I don't know If I can do that
in my current health condition.   I should have never sold my business but
hey since they bought them only one store is open  they failed since the
economy here died so I at least saved myself  from utter failure

Need anymore explanations so you don't become " cross " again

You know, life hands us all burdens that we must bear, and we
make our own 'luck' much of the time.  Matthew was smart enough
with his money to make sure that he (and his mother, and various
cats in his care) will be provided for in the future.  That is a
good thing, and it's sad that anyone would resent him for having
more than they do.  He earned those cruises, and the right to
decide how he wants to spend his money just like the rest of us
did... Good on him to try to save a buck any way he can, so he
can enjoy the fruits of his labor and good judgement for many
many years to come.  At least he's not on the public dole and/or
counting the days when Uncle Sam will have to take care of him.
(Plus it seems to me that I've read more than once where he's
donated money, goods, and/or services to local animal shelters
and other animal causes?  I think he's entitled to take advantage
of the lower cost animal clinics if he has the time and patience
to take his cats there)

Sara

tweed,

I think you are cross because you are confusing don't have with trying to
conserve, if you remember it was One cruise just after he sold the stores,
and I also remember a divorce, those in the state he lives cost the partner
who earned more way out of portions... don't get me wrong, even if he had
twice what he does, he is now basically on a fixed income, and if he can go
to the clinic and save some on regular expenses there will be more there for
an emergency... and something else, here in the states the low cost clinics
are for people who can't afford the vet that is true... but they also serve
two other purposes...they try and convince people who won't spend to get the
shots and general care, and also I am not sure about anywhere else but in my
state they use them as adoption/fund raisers... you are taking your pet for
these shots, and look there is a row of kittens up for adoption.... and as
you pay there is a poster board of the local average prices, so of course,
you give twice what they charge and are still ahead, ... I hope in my tired
confused state, that this makes some sense to you... provided you ever see
it... am having loads of trouble getting on line... for the third day in a
row... let me know if this made sense or not, Lee