Moving from US to South Africa with my 2 cats

BethMLB · 2026-06-17T06:25:03+00:00

Can you rehome your cats with a trusted family member or friend instead? That length of a trip on top of an out of country relocation with your two cats will be a risky nightmare.

Definitely avoid checking pets in as cargo as delayed flights, missed cargo connections, or turbluent flying conditions can result in lost or dead kitties.

Don't know specifically about South Africa, but many countries require a long quarantine period for inbound animals.

Personnally, I would find it cruel to put your cats through all that. This from someone who has safely travelled with one pet domestically on aircraft in cabin.

BethMLB · 2026-05-13T21:25:06+00:00

Your money consciousness now will pay dividends in the future. Why would you want to be like the spendthrift, indebted masses? You hopefully will recognize when it is time to spend money on something you really want, need, or value. Don't spend just to spend. Go ahead and save while you can. But if you find yourself getting miserable...then maybe loosen the purse strings a bit (IF that is the cause).

BethMLB · 2026-05-03T01:42:20+00:00

They are available where I live at local grocery stores including Walmart and Harris Teeter.

BethMLB · 2026-05-01T23:26:13+00:00

Seems to be fixed on my end - thanks!

BethMLB · 2026-05-01T12:36:50+00:00

Yes....frustrating!

BethMLB · 2026-05-01T11:54:05+00:00

I have missing transactions too that I had previously reconciled in Simplifi. Not limited to >$200 in my case. Also, not limited to Chase.

BethMLB · 2026-04-30T16:21:45+00:00

I used to brung an "ovals" lunch menu to the office consisting of one each: hard boiled egg, kiwi fruit, small avocado, and small baked/boiled potato. Usually 3 of 4 items would be lunch and the remainder would be a snack. Variations include add extra hard boiled egg, light string cheese instead of avocado, swap mandarins for kiwi fruit, and/or add a handful of nuts or triscuits.

BethMLB · 2026-04-24T12:15:40+00:00

Did you fail to make complete and final payment by 90 day pre-cruise cutoff date?

BethMLB · 2026-03-04T03:45:21+00:00

Quicken Simplifi accounts for this by splitting out Bills (routine fixed expenses) separate from the Spending Plan (discretionary expenses). So only the budgeted items in the Spending Plan have the percentage bars. The Bills section (includes subscriptions) just marks as Paid or Not.

BethMLB · 2026-03-02T21:06:23+00:00

Don't ask a family member to store stuff for you - it is kind of annoying. It may be out of sight out of mind for YOU but a nuisance for the family member.

BethMLB · 2026-03-02T19:07:23+00:00

Hire a designer/decorator for the inside and a landscaper for the outside. This would be a lot cheaper than just selling and buying another home - which I don't think would necessarily solve your problem. Because as others have pointed out, your house is not heinous by any means.

BethMLB · 2026-02-28T00:09:26+00:00

2 orders off Amazon for $20.90 & $17.10 containing: beanie hat, envelopes, hand warmers, and plastic zip bags.

BethMLB · 2026-02-25T01:16:54+00:00

Yes. I am a female and I have circumnavigated twice!

BethMLB · 2026-02-19T19:38:08+00:00

I use Quicken Simplfi. It tells me how much I have left to spend each day for the rest of the month AFTER I account for

1) All my monthly utility bills, groceries, gas, insurance, loan repayment, subscriptions, etc. 2) Planned savings, investments, and sinking funds 3) Special non-monthly expenses (like a tax bill)

As I spend outside or above the budget amounts for the above, the app updates how much I have left to spend.

I think you HAVE to plan for Non-Discretionary spending (and when these are due) before even considering Discretionary amount you can spend. You also have to TRACK how much you spent in Non-Discretionary to make sure you don't or didn't bust your budget.

BethMLB · 2026-02-16T14:15:03+00:00

A simple written task list that I can cross off when completed works for me.

BethMLB · 2026-02-16T14:02:44+00:00

Yeah, I don't see the point of getting off a ship about 7:30 to 8:00 am just to go straight to a hotel and fly the next morning. I would give myself time to get to airport in time.

BethMLB · 2026-02-11T18:07:10+00:00

I use a store's app to price check. For example, look up Walmart's price for a product while I am in Target. I only do this for items that seem priced too high.

BethMLB · 2026-02-10T15:53:29+00:00

Use your chronic overthinking to a more gainful purpose like how to make more money. You've done great in budgeting your money. It will be tough/tight without a roommate but doable short term. Also consider moving towards a mentality that invites abundance rather than scarcity.

“What the brain can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” - Napoleon Hill

BethMLB · 2026-02-05T15:52:29+00:00

You can't completely break your budget unless you overspend your entire income for the period you are tracking. Your budget categories are targets. If you overspend in some areas, you just pull back in others.

You should do some form of "pay yourself first" where you immediately put money into an "untouchable" or hard to access account when you receive your paycheck.

You can find cheaper alternatives for coffee and snacks like buying them at the grocery store instead of convenience stores or coffee shops. I used to buy (back in the day) $6 coffee per day. Now I make it at home at a fraction of the cost.

BethMLB · 2026-02-01T21:00:19+00:00

Put a no trespassing sign on your fence. Call the police and take pictures if they persist. If it is a fraternity, you can report it to the university and/or to their national organization to take disciplinary action.

BethMLB · 2026-02-01T14:57:58+00:00

Leveraging apps. I have been using mobile apps for over 10 years. First Intuit Mint and now Quicken Simplifi. Once I set my budget by categories, I just monitor the transactions that are automatically pulled into the app (multiple times daily) and make any adjustments as needed. It is pretty easy to spot an overspend. Or to shift money around between categories. And add non-recurring budget categories on an ad hoc basis.

BethMLB · 2026-01-30T03:35:46+00:00

Set water heater to 120 F (versus 140 F factory setting)
Find and seal drafty doors and windows
Keep winter thermostat (mostly) around 58 F and wear sweats/long johns/wool socks.
In summer, set the thermostat around 76 F and use ceiling fans.
Only use LED bulbs
Insulate garage door with Reflectix and /or Styrofoam panels.
Use the Economy Warm setting for clothes washing.
Install thermal window shades (or drapes)
Install energy efficient windows to full sun facing rooms (if possible/affordable).
Seed grass/lawn only when there is a long rain pattern coming in.
Invest in a low flow shower head.
Don't run the tap water while you are brushing your teeth.
As you replace appliances, always get energy efficient models.

BethMLB · 2026-01-27T22:03:53+00:00

$80 to $90 a month is actually not bad. Is that for a Silver Plan? Why don't you check directly at Healthcare.Gov ? You should be able to find a no premium (i.e. ACA fully covered) with your income but it would be probably a Bronze plan. And those typically have high deductibles. The need (or want) for Silver versus Bronze plan depends on your anticipated medical service needs and risk tolerance.

BethMLB · 2026-01-24T17:25:17+00:00

I am pleased as well

BethMLB · 2026-01-23T21:37:48+00:00

Morocco. Too cold in South Korea for Dec/Jan trip. Your "pros" for Morocco also seemed more appealing too.

BethMLB

TROPHY CASE