Lived Experience Forum

[SmilingGecko]

Oh thats lovely @greenpea 💯😇 I don't know how much I spent but I was with Petsecure insurance - a company that did not fold! Many pet insurance companies refused to meet peoples claims or went under financially. My dog was lucky. I don't know if Petsecure is still going but I loved my dog and stayed with him until he was ready to go

Just could not contemplate rearing another animal with severe health problems plus not having a car to get to specialists or late night dashes to animal ER. My dog required fortnightly ongoing care. I'm just glad Petsecure met me where I was at. 

I noticed after the pandemic with the rising costs of inflation many people were surrendering their animals they acquired during covid. Many of these animals people could no longer afford to care for.  I read about it in the newspaper awhile back. But the costs of animal caretaking nowadays are alarming and it pays to be aware.

It would be nice to have another little dog though but realistically I can't afford it anymore.  The figures all add up. I think pet ownership these days is a luxury now!

[greenpea]

@SmilingGecko  i agree re costs involved now a days.  our little bun was a real joy but i cannot do the costs and emotional side of having a pet.

[SmilingGecko]

HOW TO CURB THE URGE TO SPLURGE

@Shaz51 @greenpea @TAB @8ppleTree @StuF @Kyle1 @StanD @Glisten @tonys @Oaktree 

Well the other day temptation almost got the better of me. I saw what seemed to be a quality wool garment on Salvosstores listed as very good condition for a brand name I trust. Very hard to know what that could mean but its often arbitrary the condition things are in.

Checked my bank account and wasn't necessarily flushed with cash but keep going back and pausing on the page as if compulsion was driving me back to this quarter of the internet as if by magic! eeks

Well normally what I would do is put it in my cart and wait 24 hours allowing myself a cool off period but it just seemed too good to be true. Sometimes these sudden urges aren't necessarily in your best interests but you cant stop and you feel driven as if by a force of nature!

Anyway found myself in a bit of an emotional fix regarding this conundrum. What to do? If I don't buy now I miss out or if I buy it could be buyers regret I reasoned with myself. Gee I really hate moments like these when you feel as if you have no command over your actions! 

I was in desperate need of relief. Something was compelling me to go ahead and make the purchase but I was fighting with my ability to act vs my ability to reason. I was in need of some good old fashioned restraint but I think that flew out the window when I set my eyes on this quality warm winter jacket in a style I adore

Well I checked an astrology transit for the day and it seemed to indicate I was experiencing emotional dysregulation and was attempting to fill the gap through conspicuous consumption!!! Ha ha  I guess it happens to the best of us even if we watch our finances closely and are extremely shrewd.

I just wished this feeling would go! 

This is what the astrology transit said:

It recommended working with the crystal "Selenite" It has the properties of instilling calm, balance and harmony in place of ameliorating what is lacking in ones life and creating the emotional space to be in a happier more aligned state.

Too good to be true I mused? Well I had a piece of selenite and decided to give it a go and can say it miraculously worked. The awful feeling just left my state of being and I was back into a complete sense of wholeness. I had no urge to spend and felt sufficiently aligned within myself emotionally and psychologically. It was a beautiful feeling, this crystal easily overlooked but yes a wonderful feeling and state of grace to be in. It was so sublime I just wore selenite crystal all day! 

Anyway, if I ever find myself in a similar situation I will just use selenite again over and over. What a lovely way to be? I thought I would share with people who on occasion may be drawn to retail therapy. Carrying selenite is the best retail therapy you're EVER going to get! 

Selenite crystal

[Shaz51]

Thank you for sharing @SmilingGecko 

Yes we all have to be mindful these days 

Hello @greenpea , @PeppyPatti , @TAB , @8ppleTree , @LilMapleLeaf , @Tilz , @Jynx 

[SmilingGecko]

HOW TO BEAT SOARING PRICES & SAVE CASH.

@Shaz51 @greenpea @PeppyPatti @TAB @8ppleTree @TAB @StuF @Glisten @tonys 

I was reading Aprils 2024 edition of Money Magazine and came across some great ideas for saving money. See the screenshots below. They are continued on another post as the file size was too big

/continued on next post

[SmilingGecko]

/How to Beat Soaring Prices and Save Cash <page2>

END

[Minerva]

Hi there @SmilingGecko 

I am a big Selenite and Gemstone fan, and the selenite picture grabbed my attention …maybe I need to use my love of gemstones as reward for budgeting..🤔

Thanks for the tip!

[SmilingGecko]

Hey @Minerva I like your name! I know Minerva was a goddess of some sort. Yes crystals are pretty amazing. I am a gemstone collector.  I think gems are a nice reward considering everything is so pricey right now. I must write something for people on how to have the occasional nice treat once in a while that won't break the bank

[PeppyPatti]

Dear. @SmilingGecko  I need to read this again - 

I'm struggling with my budget. 

Do I declare to Centrelink finance  gifts I get from my mother ? Centrelink says no not for gifts for gifts but I'm nervous. It's not as if I'm breaking the bank with $500 here and there. 

Do I pay off all my bills before I save ? 

So stressful

Also with flying domestic - only qantas accepts companion card deductions but sometimes it's cheaper going another flight ..... 

Does anyone know where you can go to get answers to my small but huge in my head questions ?? 

Thankyou in advance