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6 Reasons You Need to Include Pets in Your Will

Brittany Lyte — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 10:30:33 +0000

Our pets give us love. They share our beds. We even buy them birthday presents. And though you might consider Fido to be a bona fide member of the family, the law has a different perspective. Your dog is your personal property — no different from your car or the silver china.

But unlike your other personal property, there's good reason to include your pet in your estate plan. Here's why your pet deserves a place in your will.

1. Your Pet Could End Up Lonely, Or Worse

Though pets have shorter life spans than people, many pet owners will die before their animals do. And those who fail to make arrangements for their furry friend's future care take on the risk that their beloved animal could be condemned to an ownerless life in an animal shelter — or worse. Often, pets without owners are euthanized when there are no immediate options to find them a new home.

2. You Can Designate Funds for Pet Care

Funding is optional, but a future pet care fund is recommended for pet owners who want to ensure that their pet receives a certain quality of care in the event that they're no longer around to see to it themselves. You can designate a fixed amount or a percentage of a bank account, insurance policy, retirement fund, or even a portion of the sale of a home.

If you do decide to designate funding for pet care, you need to figure out how much. Consider that pets are more expensive as they age. How long is your pet expected to live? Do you plan to compensate a person or organization to see your pet care wishes through, or are you only interested in setting aside funding for the actual pet care services?

It's also important to determine who or what organization will be in charge of the funds. In a pet trust, the person who manages the funds is called the trustee. It's smart to consider a backup trustee in case your first choice becomes unwilling or unable to do the job.

3. You Can Keep Bonded Pets Together

If you have multiple pets that were raised together or developed a close bond, you can save them from the emotional trauma of separation by including instructions to keep them together in your will.

4. You Can Name a Pet Guardian

Sometimes friends or family members vow to take in a cat or parrot in the event of a pet owner's death. Yet many of these informal promises, however well-intentioned, fail to play out as planned. This is why it's beneficial to designate a pet guardian.

A pet guardian is any person or organization who will become responsible for your pets and for the task of carrying out your pet care instructions. This can include the role of monitoring any funding set aside for pet care, or you may instead designate a completely different person or organization to assume the role of trustee. If a pet organization assumes the role of pet guardian, you should be sure to include directions about adoption. It's also vital that you research whether the pet organization has a fee for pet guardianship. If it does, you must factor in this fee when deciding how to disburse your funds.

5. You Can Name a Successor Pet Guardian

The goal is to ensure that your pet is cared for when you're no longer around to see to this end yourself. So it only makes sense that a successor pet guardian should be named to take the guardianship duties over in the event that your primary pet guardian becomes unable or unwilling to do the job.

6. A Cautionary Tale: Wild Wishes Could Be Ignored

The instructions you leave for the care of your pet should be sensible and legal. Just because you write it in your will doesn't necessarily mean it will be carried out. In fact, a will cannot enforce far-fetched demands when there's no one willing or legally able to uphold them. At its core, estate planning is solely intended to distribute property. Wild wishes can be ignored.

In perhaps the most extreme cautionary tale, billionaire real estate heiress Leona Helmsley famously left 12 million dollars for the care of her white Maltese, Trouble. "I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will. But very few of the instructions she left in her will were followed. Millions of dollars that Helmsley intended to be spent on the dog went to other purposes because she never specified how all of the money should be spent, and the cemetery where Helmsley was buried refused to ignore a legal policy that forbids the interring of nonhuman remains at human cemeteries.

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This article is from Brittany Lyte of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Affordable Alternatives to Pet Boarding

Ashley Eneriz — Tue, 10 May 2016 09:00:10 +0000

Summer is just around the corner and you can't stop daydreaming about getting away for the week. There is only one problem. What are you going to do with your pet? When it comes to traveling, the thought of leaving Fido in a kennel for the week makes many pet owners uneasy.

Not only can kennel boarding be expensive, but your pet will not get the care and love they are used to getting daily from you. Your pet can also develop behavioral issues and possibly diseases from being kept in a kennel, including stress, kennel cough, and fleas. If kennel boarding is not your first choice, these five alternatives are easier on your pet and wallet.

1. Hire a House Sitter

You can have your house and your pet watched for one price, essentially killing two birds with one stone. House sitters can get pricey, but if you can find a trustworthy college student or family member to do the job, then you can save quite a bit.

According to Care.com, kennel boarding costs an average of $20–$25 per day for small animals. I have two dachshunds, therefore, if I were to take a five-day vacation, boarding my dogs could cost $40–$50 per day, or $200–$250 for the duration of my trip. I am certain there are many reliable college students that would be over the moon to make $100–$150 for crashing on someone's couch for a week, enjoying free food and Wi-Fi.

A house sitter is an ideal choice if you can find the right person. Not only will a house sitter give your pet company and care, but you can also prevent a break-in from happening while you are gone. House sitters can also bring in important mail and packages, water plants, and make sure your trash cans get put out on trash day. Care.com is just one website where you can hire affordable house sitters. I have used Care.com before and I like it because it allows you to run background checks before hiring someone.

2. Ask a Friend or Family Member

If you have the type of pet that is easy to drop off with a friend or family member, then ask for a favor. My in-laws used to drop off their dachshund at my house when they traveled, and since all the dogs liked each other, it was a win-win for both me and my in-laws.

Friends and family members are also more willing to barter their time for home cooked meals or a few nights of babysitting. If you can get a friend or family member to agree to take your pet for your trip, you can save $100–$300, depending on how many pets you have and how long you will be gone. (See also: 5 Pet Costs You Don't See Coming)

3. Hire Someone Just to Check In

If you have low-maintenance animals, like cats, you can just hire someone to show up each day or every other day to refresh the food, water, and litter box. Some dogs could be left alone with minimal pet sitting, too. If you have a dog door and an automatic feeder, then just hire someone to walk your dog for an hour each day, as well as refresh food and water. You can hire someone for as cheap as $10 per hour.

4. Peer-to-Peer Pet Sitting

There are two websites that match you directly with other pet owners and pet lovers in your area. DogVacay and Holidog.com list local individuals who will take your pets into their home for the duration of your trip. In my area, prices started out at $20 per night. In one listing, the individual even said they text pictures and reports daily to the owners. (See also: 23 Tips for Traveling With Pets)

5. Take Your Pets With You

Traveling with your pet is not always an affordable option, especially if there is airfare involved. However, for road trips, it might just be simpler and less expensive to bring your favorite canine or feline with you. Many more hotel chains are allowing pets to stay in their rooms, although some fees and restrictions do apply. You might even have some luck finding a pet-friendly room or house on Airbnb.

Marriott charges a $100 sanitation fee for your pet to stay with you, and Best Western charges $20 per day, with a maximum of $100 per week for up to two dogs. Other pet types, such as cats, snakes, monkeys, etc. might be allowed depending on the property. Pet owners need to ask in advance. La Quinta Inns and Suites is the best choice for a hotel because it has over 880 pet-friendly locations and does not charge a fee or deposit.

Don't let the cost of boarding your pet ruin your vacation or travel plans. Any of the above options could work for your situation and save you money — you just need to use a little creativity.

What do you do with your pet when you travel?

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Unexpected Dog Costs You Should Prepare for Now

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:30:09 +0000

Is dog man's best friend — or budget blower? Many potential pet owners are aware of the initial costs of buying and owning a canine, but what about the unexpected costs, such as furniture damage and travel expenses?

Here are five unexpected dog-related costs to be aware of before committing to your new furry friend. (See also: 3 Ways Your Dog Is Ruining Your Credit Score)

1. Damaged Furniture and Housing

Puppies will be puppies, and that includes chewing on just about everything. While the occasional shoe or clothing item will not set you back a lot of money, you should prepare for costly furniture damage.

Not only can dogs ruin table legs and couches, but some canines will even do costly home damage. One friend had a bulldog puppy who chewed a good-sized hole in the wall and baseboard. Puppies are not the only ones to blame, either. My husband's grandmother's adult dog ruined her front doorway because he was accidentally left outside during 4th of July and grew overly anxious during the fireworks.

2. Minor Medical Costs

Thankfully there is pet insurance that helps cover costly vet bills from injuries and old age. However, many people do not factor in the minor medical costs, such as flea and tick medication, special lotion for dry skin, nail trims, anal gland expression, and even sedative medication during certain holidays — like New Year's and 4th of July.

Even just adding a puppy to your family can add on the costs of vaccinations, exams, and getting them spayed or neutered. Money.com says, "Routine vet exams cost between $45 and $200 for puppies in the first year of life." So don't let that cute puppy face make you forget all of these extra upfront costs.

3. Higher Home Insurance Policies

Certain dog breeds are blacklisted by insurance companies due to their breed traits. Pit bulls, dobermans, rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, and akitas are all breeds that can raise home insurance premiums. Even if your dog is the sweetest dog around, you will still be charged more, or be denied coverage altogether. The average dog bite claim costs insurance companies $30,000, so you can see why they charge more.

4. Excess Rental Fees

Landlords can charge you extra for living with a dog. Many landlords will charge a standard pet deposit and might even add on an additional monthly payment. Depending on the contract you sign, your landlord can come after you for damages if your dog ruins the yard or interior. Many apartments and landlords do not even allow dogs, so your pooch could put you in a tough spot when it comes to finding a place to live.

5. Traveling Fees

My husband and I got our two dogs in our first year of marriage. We missed out on several vacation and travel opportunities because of them that first year. I didn't realize how much it would cost to board them or to take them with us, and when you are newly married, the budget can be very tight.

According to Pettravel.com, the average cost to fly domestic with your pooch is $125 each way. So expect to pay $250 roundtrip just for your pup to be on board. To keep your dog in a kennel, it costs on average $20-$25 per day, per pet.

If you plan to take your pooch with you on vacations, you should prepare for these following costs:

Air travel costs;
Vaccination updates;
Accessory costs, such as a carrier that meets flight requirements, and a travel bed;
Hotel costs. For example, the Best Western charges $20 per day and other hotels might charge a refundable damage deposit.

How to Avoid Higher and Unexpected Pet Costs

Most of these costs come from a lack of planning. Dogs can bring great joy and fun to a family, but the costs, pros, and cons needed to be thought out carefully. Dogs, like children, are living creatures that will need many years of love, care, and even sacrifice at times. Be sure you consider the future money and time required when you see that cute face and floppy ears.

How do you prepare for costly vet bills? Share with us in the comments!

This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Money Lessons You Can Learn From Your Pets

Emily Guy Birken — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 10:30:06 +0000

Each morning, I am generally awoken in one of two ways: either Tivo, our three-year-old greyhound, places his wet nose directly in my face and snuffles with excitement, or our cat Lebowski (a.k.a. The Dude) lays himself across my neck and purrs jet-engine-decibel contentment straight into my ear.

I love my pets, and not just because they have made the alarm clock app on my phone completely superfluous. They are great companions and friends, but they are also fonts of incredible money wisdom. (See also: 5 Surprising Ways Your Dog Can Save You Money)

Don't believe me? Consider the following.

1. Dogs Remind You to Enjoy the Little Things

If you want to make your dog happy, just grab his favorite ball and head outside. A little bit of rough-and-tumble play with Rover, or some scratches behind his ear are more than enough to send him over the moon. He knows that there's no need to commit to a huge, expensive indulgence to have fun, when walkies and a full bowl of kibble get his tail wagging.

And researchers have found that dogs are onto something. We derive more happiness from the small, regular pleasures in life than we do from the big, occasional indulgences. That's because of something known as hedonic adaptation, where we feel less pleasure from something we have become accustomed to. After a day at the beach, you will not be feeling as happy as you were when you got there, and by the end of your vacation, you will be completely accustomed to sand and surf, which means you'll take it for granted.

If you emulate your beloved pooch, however, and spend your money or time on smaller and more regular pleasures — such as weekly drinks out with friends, a monthly manicure, and daily walks with Rover — then you'll be much happier than if you deny the small indulgences in favor of big purchases.

2. Model Your Investments After Catnaps

Cats sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day, and will often only move in order to stay in the sunbeam they are napping in. But even with all of that shut-eye, cats are hardly "sleeping on the job." Even a snoozing feline will twitch his ears if you drop something — and he can spring into action almost instantaneously if he feels threatened while snoozing.

What Mittens is indirectly teaching you with this type of sleeping pattern is how to be a rational investor. Taking a long view and sitting tight on your investments through market ups and downs is by far the smartest way to grow your wealth. Most of us have a hard time doing what feels like nothing during market volatility. This is called the action bias, and it makes us feel as though doing anything, even if it is counterproductive, is preferable to sitting around doing nothing. But listening to the action bias is the reason why people sell when the market is at its lowest and buy when it's at its highest. They are afraid of doing nothing.

It's important to note that your cat doesn't just sleep the day away. He always keeps one ear cocked for signs of trouble. Doing nothing may be his default — as it should be with your investments — but he is ready to take action when it is necessary, and not a moment before.

3. Dogs Teach Us That Boredom Is Destructive

When we first got Tivo, one afternoon he managed to tear open our locked bread drawer by pulling hard enough on the handle to break the wooden face of the drawer. We quickly realized that our new family member didn't just share our affinity for bagels — he was also suffering from boredom. Thankfully, increasing our visits to the dog park, and investing in a better drawer lock, helped solve the problem.

But Tivo's drawer-breaking tendencies reminded me of the destructive power of boredom. Parents know that bored kids will always find something to do, and generally that something is destructive. Bored grownups, on the other hand, tend to spend money to relieve their ennui. How often have you found yourself browsing Amazon or going out to eat because you can't think of anything else to do?

For both dogs and people, the best boredom relief is often exercise. Heading out for a quick walk or even doing some jumping jacks when you are feeling bored can stimulate both your body and your mind, for free. Even better, it won't result in the better part of your kitchen being strewn through your living room.

4. Your Cat Doesn't Fear Failure, and Neither Should You

I have owned cats my entire life, and yet I never cease to be impressed by their ability to leap tall cabinets in a single bound. Cats do not weigh risks or do cost-benefit analysis when trying to navigate a tricky obstacle to the preferred spot on the highest piece of furniture. They simply leap without hesitation. Even if they do miss their target and fall, they simply get up, pretend that they meant to fall, and try again.

Of course, cats feel confident making acrobatic jumps because they are uniquely suited to landing on their feet. But human beings are similarly well-suited to adapting to new circumstances and handling the issues life throws at them. We may fear big changes, like leaving a job to become an entrepreneur, or going back to school to learn a new skill. But like the cat's landing reflexes, we have the ability to handle those big changes. We should look at failure like cats do — as a potential cost you can easily bounce back from.

5. Emulate Your Dog by Thoroughly Investigating Opportunities

When you introduce your dog to a new person, their first instinct is to take a good whiff of the stranger before deciding if he's a friend or a foe. Dogs also thoroughly investigate every fire hydrant and patch of yellow snow on their walks to make sure they are au courant with the neighborhood doggy business.

This kind of investigation is an important aspect of protecting your finances. Dogs are known for being easily excitable, and yet they take a moment to make sure they know everything they can about a person or fellow animal's scent before making a decision. Human beings, who are supposedly more rational, will often jump into the "sure thing" investment because they are so excited about the prospect of big money. Only when they discover that there are no tin mines in Bolivia and that they were taken in by a con man, do they remember that they should have investigated the investment thoroughly before writing a check.

6. Cats Know How to Ask for What They Want

Although cats have a reputation for being aloof and dignified, they are also perfectly happy letting the humans in their lives know when they want something — as anyone who has spent a day letting a cat in and then back out and then back in again, can attest.

Human beings have trouble being both dignified and willing to ask for help. We tend to think of dignity as somehow being above asking others for help. But our cats show us that there is nothing undignified in recognizing when you need help getting what you want. Getting help from others is often necessary to meet your career and financial goals. You would hate to miss opportunities just because you were afraid to ask for help.

Four-Footed Friends and Finance

Tivo and The Dude may not have a thriving stock portfolio or even a simple budget. But my dog and cat both show me on a daily basis that they may know a thing or two about money anyway.

What money lessons have you learned from your pets? Share with us in the comments!

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Wise Bread Reloaded: Watch These Adorable Puppy and Kitten Videos and Learn How to Care for Your Own, Frugally

Lars Peterson — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 11:00:04 +0000

Have you seen this already? The video of the dachshund pups frollicking? It's short and so cute you'll scream. Go ahead and watch. We'll wait.

Puppies (and kittens!) are cute and adorable, but they also need proper care. It's a big responsibility — one that can get expensive if you aren't careful.

Over the years Wise Bread's writers have come up with lots of clever ways to cut down the cost of living with a pet, while also increasing the satisfaction and enjoyment for pets and people alike. Here's a sampling.

10 DIY Dog Toys You Can Make for Pennies — Paul Michael points you toward an assortment of fun and frugal dog toys, everything from the classic Sock and Ball to the always engaging Cardboard Tubular.

5 iPhone Apps Your Dog Wants You to Download — Our smartphones have infiltrated every aspect of our lives — even pet care. Mikey Rox uncovers five apps your dog agrees are all awesome.

Homemade Dog Food — Recipe and Cost — Elizabeth Lang Walks you through going DIY with your dog chow with an easy, healthful recipe that saves her family about $30 a month on dog food.

No Pulling! Dogs Walk Easy With the Easy Walk Harness — I'm including this one because I'm shameless — the featured photo is of my dog Doughty, and I think you'll agree, she's the cutest of all the dogs. (I'm also a big believer in the effectiveness of the harness I review.)

Cats Are Cute and Need Quality Care, Too!

Just so you don't think Wise Bread is not fair and balanced, our writers have also covered cat care, too.

How Much Does It Cost to Keep a Cat? — Carrie Kirby breaks out the calculator and the spreadsheet and tallies it all up. Fortunately, there's no accounting for attitude — you get that free.

Really Great Uses for Kitty Litter — After the obvious, there's a lot you can do with that sack of super absorbent sand. Linsey Knerl shows you what and how.

Another 36 Uses for Tin Foil — Number 33 is the relevant one writer Nora Dunn suggests — cat play toy. Unnumbered is the featured photo.

Finally, since we opened with puppies playing, let's close with kittens cavorting.

This article is from Lars Peterson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Ways to Reduce Vet Bills

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 09:00:29 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some amazing articles on reducing vet bills, living without a car, and haggling for a better price on everything.

Best Money Tips: Simple Ways To Lower Vet Costs

Ashley Jacobs — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:00:15 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on simple ways to lower vet costs, financial rules every 30 year-old should know, and the worst holiday gifts.

Best Money Tips: Save Money on Vet Bills

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:00:31 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on saving on vet bills, items you can buy cheaper online than in-store, and the worst money mistakes anyone can make.

Best Money Tips: Things to Consider Before Adopting a Pet

Ashley Jacobs — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:00:18 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on things to consider before adopting a pet, expediting your tax refund, and how to stop living paycheck to paycheck.

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Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Is Pet Health Insurance Worth It?

Paul Michael — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:00:07 +0000

We have a big dog. She's huge, actually — over 100lbs but with all the energy of a puppy. And for that reason, we figured we'd need at least some basic health insurance for her. Everyone is talking about the staggering costs of health care these days, but they don't talk about pet health care. And it's not cheap. Not even close.

So, my wife and I chose the "top" pet health insurance provider (VPI) and went with a basic package. We didn't want anything that covered the check-ups or wellness exams, we could cover those just fine. What we wanted was coverage in case the worst happened. We didn't want to be stuck choosing between a $7000 vet bill and a $50 shot to put her to sleep. We wanted peace of mind that, should she get sick or be badly injured, we'd have coverage.

The basic package we chose costs us just over $14 per month and covers the big stuff: the accidents, illnesses, and other costly procedures. Well, that's how it's described on the site, anyway. The more expensive package also covers exams, shots, and other general health and wellness costs. It's around double the cost of the basic package.

We've had this insurance for over 18 months now, with no use for it up until a few weeks ago. Then, our dog was bitten by another dog, quite badly, and we had to rush her to a 24-hour animal hospital. She required some urgent care, overnight stay, and many other services. The final bill came to $545.43.

I told my wife to pay it, obviously, and then I'd submit the claim to VPI and get a big chunk of it back.

Why did I assume we'd get a big chunk? Nothing is guaranteed, right? Well, take a look at the screenshots below, from the VPI site.

Here, the owner of Rufus paid $504 for treatment and received $404 back. That's everything except the $100 deductible. Or, just over 80 percent of the bill was refunded.

Maybe that one was a rare case. So, here's another.

Coco's bill came to $1,994. Total reimbursement was $1,894. Again, only the $100 deductible wasn't covered. That means 95 percent of the bill was refunded. Wow, even better.

I looked at another "typical" case study.

Kona's fees were $715. After the whopping $250 deductible, Kona's owners got $465 in return. That meant 65 percent of the bill was reimbursed. Not too shabby despite that huge deductible.

So, armed with all of that knowledge, I figured we'd probably get at least 50 percent refunded to us. And $272 or less for treatment made the insurance worth it, even though we'd paid out more than that in monthly premiums.

I submitted the bill with the claim form and waited. I recently found out that we are receiving $135 of that $545.43.

That's less than 25 percent! Far, far less than the examples shown on the website. As you can see, the main injury (the bite wound) was covered for just over 10 percent. Wow.

I downloaded the complex bill reimbursement forms (PDF) and they read like quantum physics. There are several categories of reimbursement for each line item, and even then you only get a percentage of what they say you're covered for. Wait, what? So, if you're covered for $100, you get $90. Well why not just cover you for $90? Seems odd.

As I tried to make any kind of sense of this, I realized something: I wasn't supposed to make sense of it. This is made as complex as possible so average Joe's like you and I don't know what we're expected to receive or how to fight it.

In this case we were lucky. 76 percent of $545 is something we can afford right now. But what if it was 76 percent of $7000? That would have been a lot more difficult to come up with. And the very reason we got pet health insurance in the first place was to avoid that dilemma.

We were considering canceling VPI, but we figure 24 percent is better than nothing. However, we are looking into other policies that give us something we can expect, like a regular health insurance policy for people. For instance, many people have a $150 deductible for the ER, plus they pay 20 percent of the final bill. That's simple. You know what is coming. But with pet health insurance, you're rolling the dice. You may get 94 percent back (although I doubt that very much) or you may get as little as 10 percent back. And unless you're an insurance wizard, you most likely won't know until you get the check.

So Wise Bread readers, what has been your experience of pet health insurance? Did it save you a bundle? Is my case rare? Or do you even think pet health insurance is worth it? Let us know.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

cat

6 Reasons You Need to Include Pets in Your Will

1. Your Pet Could End Up Lonely, Or Worse

2. You Can Designate Funds for Pet Care

3. You Can Keep Bonded Pets Together

4. You Can Name a Pet Guardian

5. You Can Name a Successor Pet Guardian

6. A Cautionary Tale: Wild Wishes Could Be Ignored

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5 Affordable Alternatives to Pet Boarding

1. Hire a House Sitter

2. Ask a Friend or Family Member

3. Hire Someone Just to Check In

4. Peer-to-Peer Pet Sitting

5. Take Your Pets With You

Like this article? Pin it!

5 Unexpected Dog Costs You Should Prepare for Now

1. Damaged Furniture and Housing

2. Minor Medical Costs

3. Higher Home Insurance Policies

4. Excess Rental Fees

5. Traveling Fees

How to Avoid Higher and Unexpected Pet Costs

6 Money Lessons You Can Learn From Your Pets

1. Dogs Remind You to Enjoy the Little Things

2. Model Your Investments After Catnaps

3. Dogs Teach Us That Boredom Is Destructive

4. Your Cat Doesn't Fear Failure, and Neither Should You

5. Emulate Your Dog by Thoroughly Investigating Opportunities

6. Cats Know How to Ask for What They Want

Four-Footed Friends and Finance

Like this article? Pin it!

Wise Bread Reloaded: Watch These Adorable Puppy and Kitten Videos and Learn How to Care for Your Own, Frugally

Cats Are Cute and Need Quality Care, Too!

Best Money Tips: Ways to Reduce Vet Bills

Top 5 Articles

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Best Money Tips: Simple Ways To Lower Vet Costs

Top 5 Articles

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Best Money Tips: Save Money on Vet Bills

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Best Money Tips: Things to Consider Before Adopting a Pet

Top 5 Articles

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News & Events

Is Pet Health Insurance Worth It?