Posted 38 weeks 6 days ago by Xin Lu
Lifestyle
Eight years ago my family purchased our dog Happy on a total whim. Since then we have made some mistakes in raising him that cost us quite a bit. We also faced other challenges in raising him but we would not give him up for another dog. However, I have learned many lessons in pet ownership and if I do acquire another pet I will be doing my research. Read on for some of the things you must consider before becoming a pet owner.
full story
Posted 46 weeks 5 hours ago by Catherine Shaffer
Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Shopping, Budgeting
A new study out today in PNAS confirms what we always suspected was true. The higher the price you pay for a product, the greater your subjective experience of pleasure in the product. For a tightwad like me, that's a no brainer. Of course people think that expensive stuff is better. Most of the time, I feel a smug satisfaction knowing that I can enjoy the same quality for a fraction of the price, or free. But here's the kicker. That pleasure experience is real, according to Caltech researchers Hilke Plassmann, John O'Doherty, Baba Shiv, and Antonio Rangel. At first I felt that this was clearly the devil's work, but as I was polishing the cobalt blue enamel on my Aga range this morning, I had a change of heart. Maybe, sometimes, pleasure is worth the price we pay for it.
full story
Posted 1 year 17 weeks ago by Andrea Dickson
Lifestyle
Our friends at Itchmo.com recently posted some helpful hints about what to pack when you go road tripping with your four-legged friends. It might seem like a bit much, but planning ahead and having everything you need on hand is the best money saver for road trips. That, and never stopping at a gas station even when all your children really need to pee and haven't eaten since the day before (you know who you are, Dad).
full story

If you thought those Nigerian scammers could not sink any lower, think again. It was reported today by WTAE.TV that there's a new scam making the rounds, and this time the scammers are praying on the good nature of pet lovers.
Continue reading "Pet lovers beware - there's a new scam in town."
Permalink | 4 comments

It's raining deals right now. For a limited time you can give your beloved pooch the benefit of not one but SIX free bones, courtesy of ruffchews.com. Their premium sample heavyweight rawhide case usually retails for $17.95 but with a special code you get it free. Just pay shipping (for me, it was about $8).
Here's what's in the case...

Continue reading "Give a dog SIX bones...FREE!"
Permalink | 3 comments

My animals are a pricey bunch. Cute, and sweet, but medically challenged. Between facial fold issues, allergies to grass (seriously, what kind of dog is allergic to grass?), and a cat with apparent manic depression, we've spent a lot of time at the vet's office, at a few hundred bucks a pop.
Continue reading "Pet Peeves Part 3: Vet Visits"
Permalink | 5 comments

Dogs are by far the most expensive pets to groom. Cats need a good brushing and maybe the occasional bath, birds clean themselves (as do rodents) and fish LIVE in a bath. So, dog grooming is where a lot of pet owners drop a wad of cash. It doesn't have to be that way.
Continue reading "Pet Peeves Part 2: Good Grooming"
Permalink | 3 comments

All totaled, my dogs cost me $600 every month last year.
Between vet visits and allergy meds and their special diet and grooming and the dog walker and new bedding and a bark collar and having to replace my entire first floor carpet because of one doggie's explosive bowels, I spent more on my dogs each month than I did on my own health and beauty needs.
Continue reading "Pet Peeves Part 1: Couture Critters Are Expensive!"
Permalink | 8 comments
All comments