Me being the avid shopper, the forever trying to budget type, the one who lives by an old expression that a penny saved is a penny earnt….
But…. the cost of living has soared somewhat, our council rates (what’s this I see in their car park all day… more new vehicles!) the insurances… every time I see disaster of floods, or fire, or twisters….  up goes our insurance premiums to cover those claims.
Doctors have stopped bulk billing….and the vet consultation recently was $90  :o
I was in a store last week… I wanted plastic containers they have … used to be $27 for 5…. Now it’s $35 and then some have specials, what was x amount months ago, is now what it is discounted to and regarded as a special  :-?

Yeah I’m not saving any pennies … not anymore… used to be able to…

But I wanted to ask… anyone with pets gone to vet lately?
What’s the consultation fee? I just felt $90 was a bit much. I was maybe thinking $70.

For entertainment, I like to write dirty, seductive stories on the walls around town. More entertaining than going to the movies and paying $14 for airconditioning on Tuesday afternoons. These days, I just use the ceiling fan and watch the news for comedic purposes.

UnSubRocky wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 8:20am:

For entertainment, I like to write dirty, seductive stories on the walls around town. More entertaining than going to the movies and paying $14 for airconditioning on Tuesday afternoons. These days, I just use the ceiling fan and watch the news for comedic purposes.

To get yourself around town to do graffiti… you use a car?
To use a ceiling fan and to watch tv you use electricity?

That sounds about right for a vet consult, Sophia. They're really expensive.

Breaks my heart to think of all of the animals and their owners who can't afford often life saving treatment because the costs are just huge.

Vet-pay is a great scheme that helps low income earners pay vet bills to a certain amount ... they pay it off over time.

Recently paid $300 something to have a kitten desexed.

Had to shop around and travel for that deal as local vets charge between $550 -$650.

That’s included vaccines.

I see your point absolutely but I can also see the vets.

There rents have skyrocketed, so had their electricity and insurance and every fee, levy the council puts on them plus the cost of advertising and staff.

While at the same time everyone else is absorbing the same costs in life so money needs to be carefully spent. I waited 8 months to have the cat desexed when in the past I would have done it within two weeks.

I think the cost of living in Australia is the number 1 issue and just opening the gate to bring in millions to right the economy isn’t working like it did in GLobal finical crisis.

I note Sydney water is increasing costs by 50%.

https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104549138

Why can’t figures everywhere just stay the same.
When one area raise prices… everything else follows.
It’s not just one thing around us that goes up…it’s everything… and wages lag behind.

A price freeze used to happen in past.
But corporations and their quest to boast about profits climbing every year… is that really necessary.

Re: vet… it was a 10 minute consultation and $90 (plus extra for meds)

I noted dogs do not like walking into the vet. They sense fear! Two of them were pulling back in leash and had to either get dragged or picked up and carried in.
Daughter’s beaglier was hiding behind me as his safety harbour.
He loves food but would not accept it from Dr. vet.
I ended up buying him a toy to comfort and reward him (yep from the vet, another $18  ::) ;D

Sophia wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 11:30am:

Why can’t figures everywhere just stay the same.

Because that would require government to fix prices in our 'invisible hand' markets - aka a planned economy....ouch....

Meanwhile, high inflation and the resulting cost of living crisis is the reason Albo is on the nose in Oz, and Trump is even getting a look-in, in the US.

https://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1645944963/990#999

#999

Michelle Obama asked the question we’re all thinking, but struggle to answer


Seven minutes into a searing takedown of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Michigan last week, former first lady Michelle Obama posed the question millions of other Americans have been asking: “Why on earth is this race even close? I lay awake at night wondering what in the world is going on".


"It's the economy, stupid" - in this case, the cost of living crisis badly affecting median and low wages earners, courtesty of mainstream neoclassical economic  orthodoxy.  

Quote:

But I wanted to ask… anyone with pets gone to vet lately?

One of our dogs was paralyzed by white ticks last year, vet cost was just under $2000 because my youngest son has idea about saving animals. When I was young we used to shoot the poor thing to get it out of misery. We brought our kids up that way so have only ourselves to blame for cost rise.

UnSubRocky wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 8:20am:

For entertainment, I like to write dirty, seductive stories on the walls around town. More entertaining than going to the movies and paying $14 for airconditioning on Tuesday afternoons. These days, I just use the ceiling fan and watch the news for comedic purposes.

I know a trick how to save on airconditioner and/or fan cost.
When temperature in shade is 40+ and you  think it is hot go out in open sun for at least half hour, then come back to  shade and feel wonderful  ;)

tallowood wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 1:09pm:

UnSubRocky wrote on Nov 2nd, 2024 at 8:20am: For entertainment, I like to write dirty, seductive stories on the walls around town. More entertaining than going to the movies and paying $14 for airconditioning on Tuesday afternoons. These days, I just use the ceiling fan and watch the news for comedic purposes. I know a trick how to save on airconditioner and/or fan cost. When temperature in shade is 40+ and you  think it is hot go out in open sun for at least half hour, then come back to  shade and feel wonderful  ;)

Jewish airconditioning?

mothra wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 9:49am:

That sounds about right for a vet consult, Sophia. They're really expensive. Breaks my heart to think of all of the animals and their owners who can't afford often life saving treatment because the costs are just huge. Vet-pay is a great scheme that helps low income earners pay vet bills to a certain amount ... they pay it off over time.

Interesting … I will tell daughter and check about that vet-pay.
I was looking up pet insurance too.
About $40 a month average, with $200 excess, then up to 80% of total bill up to about $10,000 they pay out, more or less depending on monthly premium.

A friend was telling me earlier about having spent $2,000 on scans, blood tests for her dog with a lump on his paw… the lump was benign but they couldn’t see what was wrong and says to redo the tests…
Geez! She refused and was upset her dog wasn’t given any meds even for pain, as it was advanced in age.
But fancy saying to re-do all the same tests for another $2,000 yet they couldn’t work out what the first test results were showing.

Sophia wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 7:55am:

Doctors have stopped bulk billing….and the vet consultation recently was $90

My doctor bulk billed me the other day when I went to see her regarding my mother's death.

That was nice of her   :)

Regarding the vet bill, I don't have pets but from what I've heard from friends, $90 is quite reasonable.

thegreatdivide wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 12:02pm:

Sophia wrote on Nov 2nd, 2024 at 11:30am: Why can’t figures everywhere just stay the same. Because that would require government to fix prices in our 'invisible hand' markets - aka a planned economy....ouch.... Meanwhile, high inflation and the resulting cost of living crisis is the reason Albo is on the nose in Oz, and Trump is even getting a look-in, in the US. https://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1645944963/990#999 #999 Michelle Obama asked the question we’re all thinking, but struggle to answer Seven minutes into a searing takedown of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Michigan last week, former first lady Michelle Obama posed the question millions of other Americans have been asking: “Why on earth is this race even close? I lay awake at night wondering what in the world is going on". "It's the economy, stupid" - in this case, the cost of living crisis badly affecting median and low wages earners, courtesty of mainstream neoclassical economic  orthodoxy.

It just feels like we are playing “catch ups” with wages lagging whilst all costs rise.

I was thinking… since I’m a baby bloomer  :)
How different things were for us in our younger working years, how much easier it was to work and save, then buy when we could afford to. Before credit cards.
It just feels so different … hubby says we couldn’t do today what we were able to back in the day.
I noticed a recent news report saying because of house prices escalating out of reach for the younger generations… they have gone in droves investing in the ASX.
The housing market is still mad!
There’s a property near where son lives… on the market for around $1.5 million, normal block land, 4 bedroom brick with a garage and a pool.
Was on market a week ago, and there’s a “under contract” sign on it already!

Re: younger couples trying to break into the housing market, I think if 2 working couples buy a house together, a 4 bedroom with 2 bathrooms, and car park space, it could be done, say @ $1.4 million, it’s $700k per couple to pay off.

In the past, we also had our Aussie dollar worth more compared to overseas than what it’s worth today.
Son and his wife had gone to Bali recently and said the cheaper prices are disappearing as many resorts are now charging more expensive than back in Oz.

greggerypeccary wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 5:13pm:

Sophia wrote on Nov 2nd, 2024 at 7:55am: Doctors have stopped bulk billing….and the vet consultation recently was $90 My doctor bulk billed me the other day when I went to see her regarding my mother's death. That was nice of her   :) Regarding the vet bill, I don't have pets but from what I've heard from friends, $90 is quite reasonable.

I must really be behind the times with what costs are lately!

Well - with 20 and 25% pay rises for some sectors, clearly the costs will follow on rapidly - and all those who haven't had a 20-25% pay rise will cop it... and so it goes on and on.... and on ...

greggerypeccary wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 5:13pm:

Sophia wrote on Nov 2nd, 2024 at 7:55am: Doctors have stopped bulk billing….and the vet consultation recently was $90 My doctor bulk billed me the other day when I went to see her regarding my mother's death. That was nice of her   :) Regarding the vet bill, I don't have pets but from what I've heard from friends, $90 is quite reasonable.

Cost of dying.

Billed for telling Greggy that death is real? Was this doctor a Kamala supporter?

Sophia wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2024 at 9:19am:

UnSubRocky wrote on Nov 2nd, 2024 at 8:20am: For entertainment, I like to write dirty, seductive stories on the walls around town. More entertaining than going to the movies and paying $14 for airconditioning on Tuesday afternoons. These days, I just use the ceiling fan and watch the news for comedic purposes. To get yourself around town to do graffiti… you use a car? To use a ceiling fan and to watch tv you use electricity?

I only use a ceiling fan if it is hot weather. I only use my 1970s era airconditioner if the weather is hot and humid.
I walk just about everywhere to save on fuel. I only use my car to do weekly shopping trips.

I don't have any pets.

But I asked my sister who has a dog about the vet prices.

Here we take the exchange rate as 1 Australian dollar = 65 rubles.

She wrote the following things about the best Zelenograd veterinary clinic:

1) The dog was in serious condition (on the brink of life and death).
The dog is given 2 painkiller injections, seen by a therapist, has a catheter inserted, has blood taken and is given an immediate test and tested for infections - 6,000 rubles (92.3 Australian dollars).

2) She leaves the dog for 24 hours in a veterinary hospital where the dog is on a drip, under constant observation and ultrasound examination - 30,000 rubles (461.5 Australian dollars).

3) She takes the dog home, but takes it to the vet twice a day. 700 rubles (10.8 Australian dollars) per visit.

4)The dog at a gastroenterologist's appointment and ultrasound examination - 5,000 rubles (76.9 Australian dollars).

5) The dog injures its paw. The dog is being seen by an orthopedist -  3,000 rubles (46.1 Australian dollars). X-ray examination - 2,000 rubles (30.8 Australian dollars).

6) Various medications for dogs - 4,000 rubles (61.5 Australian dollars).

RussiAnVetEraN wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2024 at 4:02am:

I don't have any pets. But I asked my sister who has a dog about the vet prices. Here we take the exchange rate as 1 Australian dollar = 65 rubles. She wrote the following things about the best Zelenograd veterinary clinic: 1) The dog was in serious condition (on the brink of life and death). The dog is given 2 painkiller injections, seen by a therapist, has a catheter inserted, has blood taken and is given an immediate test and tested for infections - 6,000 rubles (92.3 Australian dollars). 2) She leaves the dog for 24 hours in a veterinary hospital where the dog is on a drip, under constant observation and ultrasound examination - 30,000 rubles (461.5 Australian dollars). 3) She takes the dog home, but takes it to the vet twice a day. 700 rubles (10.8 Australian dollars) per visit. 4)The dog at a gastroenterologist's appointment and ultrasound examination - 5,000 rubles (76.9 Australian dollars). 5) The dog injures its paw. The dog is being seen by an orthopedist -  3,000 rubles (46.1 Australian dollars). X-ray examination - 2,000 rubles (30.8 Australian dollars). 6) Various medications for dogs - 4,000 rubles (61.5 Australian dollars).

Reading through the vet treatments and costs in AU seems reasonable those costs.
Just wondering what the average wage is in Russia compared to Oz which may be more comparable RE: costs?

Sophia wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2024 at 1:19pm:

Reading through the vet treatments and costs in AU seems reasonable those costs. Just wondering what the average wage is in Russia compared to Oz which may be more comparable RE: costs?

Russia is a huge country, so the country's authorities have not yet managed to equalize the incomes of the population in all regions of the country.

The highest salaries are in the harshest northern regions and Moscow.

Since Zelenograd is an exclave of Moscow, therefore I will write about Moscow salaries.

The salaries of the lowest-skilled workers are 40,000 rubles. The average salary is 70-80 thousand rubles. Qualified specialists receive more than 100 thousand rubles.

Bit 'ard to foller the lyrics, friends...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR0pREbrNdM

See song video below:-

[VERSE 1]
Where 65 meets 24, in the underpass of that corridor, there's tent city
Out on the street I sell the news, in my flannel shirt and my busted up shoes, yea I stay busy
At the end of the day I walk me home, with a few more dollars to call my own, back to tent city
Ripped up seams and rained on sheets and ragged old mattress and a roof that leaks, well it ain’t too pretty

[Chorus]
Well it ain't too pretty that old tent city, but that's where I lay me down to rest
And It's a welcome sight, in the cold dark night, come rain or shine, what I call mine
Come visit me sometime in tent city

[VERSE 2]
Way back when I had a nice little house with garden hose and a fence all around, outside the city
I went to work and my wife cooked meals and the babies screamed and the dogs wagged tails, yeah life was busy
But the stocks dropped down, and the loans went up, and the banks foreclosed, and I went broke outside the city
My wife left me for a better man, and my kids blame me for the way I am, well it ain't too pretty

[Chorus]
When I'm alone, I want to drink, and when I drink I don’t think, about tent city
And when I find a cigarette, I pick it up and smoke what's left, yeah I stay busy
And when I smoke, I wanna get high, and that's the way to pass the time, in tent city
But getting high only brings you down, and that just brings the lonesome around, well it ain't too pretty

If memory serves me correctly it’s always been dearer for a vet consultation than a doctor. That’s why I don’t bother with taking ill birds to a vet… if my husbandry can’t treat them .. then they die.

Gnads wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 7:50am:

If memory serves me correctly it’s always been dearer for a vet consultation than a doctor. That’s why I don’t bother with taking ill birds to a vet… if my husbandry can’t treat them .. then they die.

I’m certain you’ve gained many years medical know how regarding the birds to know how to treat them.

Sad to hear Westpac only made a 7 billion dollar profit, down 3% breaks my heart.

Gnads wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 7:50am:

If memory serves me correctly it’s always been dearer for a vet consultation than a doctor. That’s why I don’t bother with taking ill birds to a vet… if my husbandry can’t treat them .. then they die.

No. That's when you call your state specific wildlife rescue. Not only does their "husbandry' no doubt exceed your own ... and i say this with not a small amount of knowledge myself ... they have access to more facilities, medications, appropriate nutritional needs, pro-bono vets and are better trained than you or i to deal with injured wildlife.

And may all of the gods bless them.

Stop putting your own ego first. You do no service to the animals.

mothra wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 9:05am:

Gnads wrote on Nov 5th, 2024 at 7:50am: If memory serves me correctly it’s always been dearer for a vet consultation than a doctor. That’s why I don’t bother with taking ill birds to a vet… if my husbandry can’t treat them .. then they die. No. That's when you call your state specific wildlife rescue. Not only does their "husbandry' no doubt exceed your own ... and i say this with not a small amount of knowledge myself ... they have access to more facilities, medications, appropriate nutritional needs, pro-bono vets and are better trained than you or i to deal with injured wildlife. And may all of the gods bless them. Stop putting your own ego first. You do no service to the animals.

I wasn’t talking of wild native birds missy…. I was speaking of the birds I keep as a hobby.

I buy medications to treat them for various illnesses. I also consult with 3 different specialist bird vets. Colin Walker in Melbourne, Rob Marshall in Sydney and Adrian Gallagher in Brisbane.

I know whose ego needs checking.

Of course you’d be an expert on the subject as you are on everything else.

I was keeping birds 30 years before you were a twinkle in your old man’s eye.

Gnads wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 10:40am:

mothra wrote on Nov 5th, 2024 at 9:05am: Gnads wrote on Nov 5th, 2024 at 7:50am: If memory serves me correctly it’s always been dearer for a vet consultation than a doctor. That’s why I don’t bother with taking ill birds to a vet… if my husbandry can’t treat them .. then they die. No. That's when you call your state specific wildlife rescue. Not only does their "husbandry' no doubt exceed your own ... and i say this with not a small amount of knowledge myself ... they have access to more facilities, medications, appropriate nutritional needs, pro-bono vets and are better trained than you or i to deal with injured wildlife. And may all of the gods bless them. Stop putting your own ego first. You do no service to the animals. I wasn’t talking of wild native birds missy…. I was speaking of the birds I keep as a hobby. I buy medications to treat them for various illnesses. I also consult with 3 different specialist bird vets. Colin Walker in Melbourne, Rob Marshall in Sydney and Adrian Gallagher in Brisbane. I know whose ego needs checking. Of course you’d be an expert on the subject as you are on everything else. I was keeping birds 30 years before you were a twinkle in your old man’s eye.

Why doesn't it surprise me that you keep birds in cages for your own amusement but won't put out for vet care for them when they need it.

And that would be about a rhetorical as a question could come.

Every injured wild bird I've taken to a vet has not lasted one night... they put them down. 

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Nov 5^th, 2024 at 5:27pm:

Every injured wild bird I've taken to a vet has not lasted one night... they put them down.

We experienced that too! My daughter saved an injured bird, and later decided to take to vet for care etc.
When she rang to see how the bird was, she was told they put it down… and she was ropable! Why didn’t they phone her or let her know etc. she felt so angry and because she felt they owed her some communication that it was going to be put down… but they didn’t!  I felt so sad.
I’ve seen bees misplaced from their queen and phoned the bee society folk and they came to inspect.
I phoned wildlife folk when a big kangaroo had a sore looking limb and was alone away from the mob near back of house.
So many things like that around the property that makes me sad. I understand that’s the nature of things… but I just feel their pains, their distress.

I've looked into such things as broken wings - tricky - but they can be repaired with time and effort....  had a kooka I took in - would have been happy at home with me - vet knocked it on the head... and probably the wildlife idiots would come after me for having a native bird ... bloody hell - we live in stupid times in Australia.  Some bloke in America rescued an orphaned possum or something and the authorities killed it.  Pack of idiots.

When I get rich my first port of call is a mixed bush acreage/paddocks wildlife and horse etc retreat and sanctuary ..

When I done the video of the Old Girl's 100th anniversary gathering of the grandparents' wedding and we went and found the old farm... two women had bought it and were caring for countless injured birds and bats and stuff hurt in the bushfires.  That's my bag - animals are far better than humans.

Just look at this joint with all the rat bags and Boomer haters and such, divisionists and supremacy luvvahs.... never seen such a pack of fools and angry ants with nothing behind them ... no wonder the media and politicians look into OzPol for real views...