Hey, I need some advice.
Right now, I have enough money to cover my cat’s vet bills and her food for the next 10 days, but I’m in a tight spot financially because the vet visit was expensive. My next payment (money for myself) isn’t coming for another two weeks.
I have an appointment to get my tongue pierced, and I’ve been really excited about it for a long time. I don’t want to cancel because I’ve been wanting this piercing so bad, and it’s honestly something that helped me get through the past few weeks.
But at the same time, I’m scared of my cat not having enough to eat.
I’m feeling really anxious and torn, and I’m not sure what the right move is.
Do you have any advice for me?
EDIT: I didn’t actually get my cat myself. I live with my dad and stepmom, and she was the one who used to take care of her. But they’ve been in another country for a few months now and haven’t been sending any money, so I had to get a job right after finishing high school and take a gap year from college.
All of this is really new to me — managing money, taking care of a household, and especially taking care of another living being for the first time in my life. That’s why I needed advice.
I decided to cancel the piercing appointment. I’ll get it another time when things are more stable.
Comments
Choose your cat.
Honestly, your cat’s needs should come first you can always get the piercing later when you’re more stable. It’ll feel even better knowing you handled things responsibly first.
Feed your sweet cat. This should not even be a medium hard decision.
You deserve things for yourself as well. I understand being torn between both you can try to find a happy medium where both you and your cat is happy , try looking up meals that are safe for your cat and you and that way y’all both can eat ! And you’ll save money , I seen a chicken carrot recipe before that was cat safe and actually looked delicious and human safe
Money will return (eventually), your cat’s health will not. Feed your cat.
A hard lesson in being an adult is having to learn to put needs over wants. You’ll get the piercing one day soon but, sometimes these things have to be put on the back burner.
Getting a pet means you care for them first.
How is putting basic needs for your cat above a treat for yourself even a question?
The way I explain it to my kid, who isn’t terribly much younger than you, is that no matter how much you WANT something, “got to” comes before “want to”. It’s part of adulting, especially when a life’s well-being is on the line. Rent/bills/food come before anything that’s just nice, no matter how badly you want it. If you had to choose between feeding yourself or paying the rent or the power bill vs the piercing, it wouldn’t be a hard call at all, would it? The cat’s totally dependent on you, so…
If you’re in this tight of a financial situation, and expect to be for the foreseeable future, you have no business wasting money on any sort of body mods, much less any other unnecessary luxuries.
I really hope this is a joke. You said vet bills? What js she going to the vet for?
You’re “anxious and torn, and not sure what the right move is”. I grew up on a ranch/farm, and my three sons were taught that life as well. We have an animal rescue too. They have helped with all of that since they could walk. Same for me. My sons are now 20, 17 and 16. My oldest found a puppy on the side of the road and brought her home. He wanted to keep her as HIS dog. So we did everything we do with new rescues, only she left quarantine and slept in his bed with him. When he graduated high school, he started an electrician apprenticeship program, and when he had to go out of town to work, he would send me money for her food, treats, toys, etc. (Remember I do animal rescue. We have pets on the same dog food as she is, same treats.) I took his money and saved it. When he goes out of town he does the same thing. He will also send me money for her preventive meds, vet bill money if she has to go and he can’t be in town. Oh and last year start paying me $100 to watch her. He has no idea I’m saving this money to give back to him when he finishes the apprenticeship program and moves out. He deserves it for being responsible. My 17 year old works pays for his gas, going out to eat, and anything his yellow lab, Ace, needs. I’m doing the same for him except he will get the money when he graduates high school. Now you’re 18 years old asking if you should get a piercing (that I had for years) instead of ensuring YOUR LIVING cat has what she needs.
Choose the cat. Should not even be debatable. Would your child’s formula be more important than a new tattoo? Make the adult choice. If you can’t, you should re-home the cat!
Have you tried taking some stuff to the pawn shop? Your living cat will always come first over buying things that you don’t need. Prioritizing living things that you are responsible for caring for is the number one way to be a Good Human Being.
“I decided to cancel the piercing appointment. I’ll get it another time when things are more stable.”
You did right!! Sounds like the cat issue was important. The piercing isn’t and you can still get it done later. Don’t stress it – this doesn’t mean you can’t get that done. Just have to wait, due to another more important matter.
That’s very mature and responsible.
Kudos!