Pay Dirt is Slates' money advice column. Do you have a question? You can send it to Athena or Elizabeth here. It can be anonymous!Dear Pay DirtOur cat is just 3 years old. He needs some, but not all, of his dental teeth removed. The cost of the surgery ranges from $800 to $2,000 and we will not know until the vet takes him under and runs the X-rays. Based on what she saw in the initial exam, the vet stated that the cost will likely be higher. He will be unable to eat for the next several months if we don't do anything. The pain and infection will only get worse if we don't take action. I trust the vet's words.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOur children were told that we would take care of this cat. However, my husband and I are unsure if it is worth spending so much money (it seems very elitist) or keeping our friend alive. Although it won't break the bank, it is quite expensive. After he was abandoned as a kitten on the streets, we adopted him and have given him a great life and lots of love. It was a surprise to me that he would need to be taken in at this point. What is the point at which people decide to pay for the life of a cat? Is it a terrible thing to consider not paying for this?AdvertisementNine Lives Are ExpensiveDear Nine Lives are ExpensiveLet me tell you about Harrison George, a cat. Because he had thumbs, he was found in a grocery store. His owner didn't know that the cute cat he saved would lead to her spending thousands in vet bills over the next six-years.She is also responsible for her daily medication and prescription cat food. Me, the owner.AdvertisementAdopting any animal means you are accepting financial responsibility. This includes their food, shelter, and even medical treatment. I find it alarming that you might be considering giving up your cat because of a single expense you can afford. Your cat is just 3 years old, and probably has at least 10 years left if you pay for his teeth to be removed. This is what you agreed to when you adopted a pet.AdvertisementDon't pay for treatment for your cat if you don't want to. The rescue will raise the money you don't want to part with in order to pay for the treatment and then will adopt him to a home that is familiar with the responsibilities associated pet ownership. You should also be ready to take on the financial responsibility of adopting more animals.Dear Pay DirtI am a female in my twenties and looking for my first job. To an embarrassing extent, I'm terrible with money. I must spend the money once it is in my account. It doesn't matter if I hide it or use apps to place it in other accounts. I was poor growing up, but now I have a little bit of financial freedom (I worked through college full-time), I've become a bit more of a bon vivant.AdvertisementAdvertisementRecently, I received $3,000 which I had planned to save for a move later in the year. It was gone a month later. While some of the money went to expenses, most of it went on vacations, clothing, and going out. This is why I have a lot credit card debt. However, I've only paid about half the $8,000 original amount. I don't know how to stop spending. I know there is a mental illness at play, and Im trying to get it under control. On Fridays I get $1,400 and usually have $200 left over on Monday. I believed that running out of money, asking people to borrow money, defaulting on a lot of bills, and being broke would make me stop spending. But here I am still buying and eating out like it's going out of fashion. How do I stop spending money as soon as it hits my bank account?AdvertisementBoston: BrokeDear Broke in BostonA money script is a belief system that you hold about your finances. It can be either positive or negative and plays in your head like background music from a television. It is how you see and behave with money that influences your perceptions. Your mind might associate money with poverty if you were raised poor. You either tend to hoard or use the item as quickly as possible when it is rare. Because you never know when you might get it again. You're making it rain with your paycheck. Your mind believes you'll never have enough money again.AdvertisementYou should sign up for Mint, an app that tracks your spending. This is not a suggestion to make you feel bad about yourself, but to help you see where your money is going. You can assess the situation and make changes if you know exactly how you are spending your money. Without knowing where to cut, you can't create a budget and make adjustments. You should also set small goals for your money. If you don't have the financial resources to start big, you won't be in peak financial health. Instead of starting with $200 on Monday, try $300 next week. For one week, avoid borrowing money from anyone. These are the small, achievable steps that will get you to where you want.AdvertisementMental illness was also mentioned. It's not as simple as taking a pill. You know that therapy, good nutrition, exercise, and sleep are all important to help. It is also important to take time for yourself and have a support system. Talk Space is one of the more affordable options. While therapy can be costly, there are many other options available. I am cheering for your journey.AdvertisementAdvertisementSubscribe to the Pay Dirt Newsletter for Money Advice from Athena & Elizabeth delivered weekly. Signing you up was difficult. Please try again. To use this form, please enable jаvascript. Email address: I would like to receive updates on Slate special offers. You agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms by signing up. Thank you for signing up! You can cancel your subscription at any time.Dear Pay DirtSince I was a child, my parents have taken out numerous whole life insurance policies for me. My father has been paying them for the entire time, but he recently stated that he would like me to pay around $100 per month. Although it might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, it will have a significant impact on my (somewhat limited) monthly budget. My dad was informed by me that he chose to take out policies and could afford them. He should pay them as he did not ask or take on the financial responsibility. Do I have a problem with wanting him to continue paying?AdvertisementInsured, but unsureDear Unsure but InsuredWhy are you required to have so many life insurance policies? These policies should be canceled immediately unless there is an underlying murder mystery.Our parents sometimes do random things to provide additional protection. This seems like one such case. You can easily find coverage as an adult, unless you have a serious condition or a history of illness. There are many life insurance policies available, with different prices and coverage options to suit your needs and budget. One may be offered by your employer as part of your benefits package.Tell your father to get rid of the policies if you don't have any conditions that would prevent coverage. So neither of you will be responsible for $100 and the policy won't be a source or contentment. You can always refuse to pay if he insists.AdvertisementDear Pay DirtMy wife and I are financially stable thanks to a lot of hard work. Our finances are kept separate. We try to pay the bills as evenly as possible. Both of us have lots of savings. We have a family trust, and we went through the estate planning process prior to our children were born. However, I feel that we may be missing out on some financial opportunities. What should I look out for if I want to find a trustworthy and honest financial advisor? I am most afraid that we will lose our shirts if we trust an adviser.Looking for ExpertiseAdvertisementDear ExpertiseMany financial advisers are criticized for making money from you through commissions. You may end up signing up for services or products you don't need. I feel a little weary.AdvertisementYou should consider whether they are fee-only, can work with firms, by themselves, or have the appropriate licensing. If I was you, I would Google fee-only financial advisors + [ZIP Code, city, or suburb] to see what results I get. It would be a good idea to check out their accreditations (CFP and CFA are the best), and to ask for a consultation. A financial planner does not need to be used immediately. You can still search until you find the right one.AdvertisementDoing some research can help you feel confident before you actually go into the business. Building Bread is a great resource for this, especially the investing content for beginners. Kevin Matthews II is a financial planner and shares his knowledge for free so you're ready for your appointment.AthenaSlate has more adviceMy family used to go to the local racecourse as a day trip when I was growing up in rural Ireland. My sister and I were given small amounts of money by our parents to place bets. We would carefully study the racing forms, pick our horses and scream at them. Then we'd go home and eat our curry chips out of the back of the van. Now that I have two children, I am more aware of the fact that gambling can be dangerous for many. My husband believes that this is like introducing my children to gambling and not realizing its potential to cause havoc in the home. Is there a way to recreate this experience with my children? Or should it be just a fun tale from the past that they can tell using dial-up internet.
