I have a cat that lives with me and a dog I left with my dad when I moved out and did the whole college/job thing. I still help my dad with the costs of the dog.
Isn't it a little hypocritical to suggest using Febreeze? One cycle through the washer and dryer is cheaper than a using a bottle of the name brand chemicals you advise against in the rest of the article.
I hate Febreeze. CLEAN the source of the smell, don't mask it with strong chemicals.
Oh wow. As the manager of a Pet Supply store, long time dog owner, and part-time obedience trainer, I am going to have to provide some caveats to the above list.
1. Harnesses actually make it easier for your dog to pull. They distribute the weight over more surface area across their chest, making the pulling more comfortable and effective. What do sled dogs wear? It is also much harder to attach ID tags (which your dog should always be wearing) to a harness. Get a secure collar, and teach your dog to walk politely on a leash.
2. Dog food should be kept in the bag for many reasons. If there is ever a problem with the food (dog forbid) you need the original packaging for lot numbers and date codes. All food manufacturers of any salt guarantee their food as long as it is in the original bag. Also, pet food contains essential fatty acid's that are sprayed on the outside. These are good for your dogs skin and coat. By placing the food directly in a porous container, those oils leach out of the food. At a minimum food bags should be clipped shut. Ideally the whole bag should be placed in a bin made for such things. I like the Iris brand.
3. Tie-Outs. These are a big pet peeve of mine. Great if used properly. Potentially damaging if not. A dog should never ever be left unattended on a tie out. Tangled limbs can have their circulation cut off. Your pet is vulnerable to attach it cant escape from, and talk about frustrating! In big dogs particularly, tie outs seem to inspire territory guarding, meaning barking and circling at the end of their tether.
Overall, there are a lot of other essentials I would worry about as a new pet owner; ID tags, microchips, obedience class, pet insurance, constructive chew toys.
You could probably make freezer pops for kids by freezing the fruit puree with sticks in it. Another thing I do, when I find a moldy citrus fruit in a bag, is zest the remaining good peel and squeeze the juice, and freeze them separately. Then you never have to buy a fruit just for the zest, or a bottle of orange juice when you just need a quarter cup. I've noticed that when broccoli starts to go bad, it's the flowers that go first, so the stems are still good for making soup, or shredding in the food processer for broccoli slaw.
Must LOVE Pets is our motto! We have a "Morkie" named Poopsie and a
"Snoodle" named Obadiah.........Our dogs and 2 cockateils bring SOOOO
much laughter into our home. Definitly worth every penny spent at the vet!
We will be bringing them to Texas in June and despite the search for Pet friendly hotels we wouldn't travel without them.......
I have had pets for as long as I can remember, and I can't imagine living without them! I do, however, understand the tremendous costs that can be associated with pet ownership, and so I completely understand why it's not for everyone.
My family bought a dachsund puppy 12 years ago, and like most dachsunds he recently needed back surgery for a herniated disk (dachsunds are prone to back problems because of their body shapes). He then developed cancer and needed surgery, then chemo therapy, then further surgery to remove one of his eyes. He is now as happy as ever, but the vet bills put us close to, if not over, $10 000.
When my boyfriend and I adopted a stray kitten, we decided to plan ahead for vet bills and potential issues. We considered pet insurance, but the benefits just didn't justify the premiums for us (especially since, at the moment, the kitten does not go outdoors). Instead, we've made a conscientious effort to put aside the amount we would have spent on premiums every month, and have set up a little safety fund to cover vet bills and unexpected pet expenses. This strategy might not be for everyone, but it's perfect for us :)
@Conciously Frugal - Ridiculous. You point out welfare, etc. and say we should (rightfully, I think) remove it in various forms. This gets us closer to capitalism. Not further away. I personally agree that the current system is not ideal, but I can definitely tell that the current US system is NOT pure capitalism. There is a lot of government regulation.
Our town just adopted Pay as you Throw. You buy your annual dump sticker to get access for a year to get rid of recyclables, and then you buy bags to get rid of non-recyclables. For avid recyclers such as us, we've actually been saving money over the old way. We get rid of recyclables weekly and non-recyclables every other week. We compost everything that might stink, or wash stuff out and put it in the appropriate recycle bin (for example, that plastic wrapper around the supermarket chicken). Bones were a problem, so I boil everything with a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to get broth, then crush the bones (the acid makes them soft) and bury the bone meal/chunks under the daffodil/tulip beds in the back yard. Got the kids trained to cut their meat off the bones and immediately throw them into a 'bone bowl' in the center of the table to make broth.
We're a resort area, so the residents have actually been heavily subsidizing the hotels, restaurants, and rental cottages all these years where vacationers cram 14 people in a house for a week and leave ungodly amounts of trash which the business owner was just pretending it was his regular trash. The chamber of commerce fought it tooth and nail crying tales of gloom and doom and everybody going bankrupt, but nobody has gone out of business so far, more businesses are doing a better job of recycling, and the run-of-the-mill citizen likes the program because how much they pay really is in their control.
My husband and I have no human children, but we have a dog whom has brought such a great energy to our home. Yes, pets add expenses to the household budget, but what you get back from them (loyalty, affection, love, etc.) makes any expense worth it!
lol... most of this post goes against what my doctor has told me to do individually... nutrition isn't an area to try making broad, general statements, as eating habits are so specific.
I have a pet! Her name is April and she's ahhhmazing! The costs are sometimes hard to keep up with but are always worth it because she is always there for me!!
Yep, I have a 12 year old cat and a 2 year old dog. both are entertaining, loving, adventurous, comical companions. Funniest part is is that they don't like each other! they don't fight, but they are jealous and do all sorts of things to get my attention. Hilarious! They are loved and very well cared for and it they get too expensive, well, then, I'll just have to cut the budget somewhere else. It is my responsibility to care for them and love them and keep them from the shelters and the streets. They chose well the day they found me. :)
It is good to be able to quit a bad habit once and for all. One thing I like to remember is that even if you relapse, think of how many days you went without your bad habit. Be positive and don't think, "I can't do this, because I'll just give up again." For some people cold turkey works and some like to wean themselves off.
I personally liked to quit cold turkey. A trick I use is to give up three things, but concentrate on one. For example, say I won't eat McDonald's, Steak & Shake and Sonic. If you give in one day and eat one of those, you can still feel good about not eating the others.
Before I moved, I have been off caffeine for 3 years and quit eating a lot of fast food. However, when I moved and began working it became difficult to maintain that lifestyle.
Essentially it is important to set yourself up for success by being practical. You have to consider the difficulties you will encounter and how will you process them. Not just wake up and say "I'm going to quit!"
My reasons for quitting are to save money and to get a better deeper rest. Hopefully over time, I will also improve my diet and lose weight. Whatever your reasons may be, GOOD LUCK!
Great points mentioned there Paul, when one is looking for a job, he/she shall not rely on one technique to get a job.
Applying is just the first part, it's important that you follow up on your resume as well. Take your decisions wisely.
I shop this way during the summer when I have more time during the day. During the school year it just doesn't work well for me. Walking would be a 30 minute round trip to the store. 10 minutes there--10 minutes back-- 10 minutes shopping. If I were to wait until after work to go shopping, I am sure that being tired/rushed would play into what I would buy. I would go for what is quick over what is less expensive. If the food is at home waiting for me, then it is much easier just to go home, use that additional 30 minutes, and do the work needed to put dinner on the table.
I also have to admit that I really hate crowds, and will shop super early in the morning just to avoid the crush. Right after work the grocery stores are way too busy for me.
Yes, I have 4 cats; the most recent two are rescued adults. Over time they have cost me a huge amount of money, what with injuries (even thought they are all indoor only) and old age illnesses, but I don't have children so I figure the amount I spend on them is what I'd spend on kids. My cats are much less trouble than kids--they don't talk back, they love me unconditionally, they love to cuddle, and they stay kid-like and loving their whole lives. They are a joy to come home to as they are always thrilled to see me. I'm happy I can get so much love from them even if they cost me, and I feel bad for children who don't grow up knowing the joy that comes from animal companions.
Yep, I have pets-five cats and a dog. All are rescue/shelter pets and they are the best pets to have. In fact, my dog Nicki just came here to her forever home last week. She is a 12 yr old sheppard mix who runs around the yard like a pup. It's great. I have pets because of their companionship and the the knowledge that I saved a life. I buy pet food on sale and use coupons. I can't put a price on the love and companionship they provide.
I have an Excalibur and I love it. Kale chips are the best. I save money by drying berries and frozen vegetables bought on sale. Drying saves freezer space too.
I have a cat that lives with me and a dog I left with my dad when I moved out and did the whole college/job thing. I still help my dad with the costs of the dog.
Isn't it a little hypocritical to suggest using Febreeze? One cycle through the washer and dryer is cheaper than a using a bottle of the name brand chemicals you advise against in the rest of the article.
I hate Febreeze. CLEAN the source of the smell, don't mask it with strong chemicals.
I have two wonderful dogs. I save money by buying dog food at Costco. They are definitely worth the money.
Oh wow. As the manager of a Pet Supply store, long time dog owner, and part-time obedience trainer, I am going to have to provide some caveats to the above list.
1. Harnesses actually make it easier for your dog to pull. They distribute the weight over more surface area across their chest, making the pulling more comfortable and effective. What do sled dogs wear? It is also much harder to attach ID tags (which your dog should always be wearing) to a harness. Get a secure collar, and teach your dog to walk politely on a leash.
2. Dog food should be kept in the bag for many reasons. If there is ever a problem with the food (dog forbid) you need the original packaging for lot numbers and date codes. All food manufacturers of any salt guarantee their food as long as it is in the original bag. Also, pet food contains essential fatty acid's that are sprayed on the outside. These are good for your dogs skin and coat. By placing the food directly in a porous container, those oils leach out of the food. At a minimum food bags should be clipped shut. Ideally the whole bag should be placed in a bin made for such things. I like the Iris brand.
3. Tie-Outs. These are a big pet peeve of mine. Great if used properly. Potentially damaging if not. A dog should never ever be left unattended on a tie out. Tangled limbs can have their circulation cut off. Your pet is vulnerable to attach it cant escape from, and talk about frustrating! In big dogs particularly, tie outs seem to inspire territory guarding, meaning barking and circling at the end of their tether.
Overall, there are a lot of other essentials I would worry about as a new pet owner; ID tags, microchips, obedience class, pet insurance, constructive chew toys.
You could probably make freezer pops for kids by freezing the fruit puree with sticks in it. Another thing I do, when I find a moldy citrus fruit in a bag, is zest the remaining good peel and squeeze the juice, and freeze them separately. Then you never have to buy a fruit just for the zest, or a bottle of orange juice when you just need a quarter cup. I've noticed that when broccoli starts to go bad, it's the flowers that go first, so the stems are still good for making soup, or shredding in the food processer for broccoli slaw.
Must LOVE Pets is our motto! We have a "Morkie" named Poopsie and a
"Snoodle" named Obadiah.........Our dogs and 2 cockateils bring SOOOO
much laughter into our home. Definitly worth every penny spent at the vet!
We will be bringing them to Texas in June and despite the search for Pet friendly hotels we wouldn't travel without them.......
I have had pets for as long as I can remember, and I can't imagine living without them! I do, however, understand the tremendous costs that can be associated with pet ownership, and so I completely understand why it's not for everyone.
My family bought a dachsund puppy 12 years ago, and like most dachsunds he recently needed back surgery for a herniated disk (dachsunds are prone to back problems because of their body shapes). He then developed cancer and needed surgery, then chemo therapy, then further surgery to remove one of his eyes. He is now as happy as ever, but the vet bills put us close to, if not over, $10 000.
When my boyfriend and I adopted a stray kitten, we decided to plan ahead for vet bills and potential issues. We considered pet insurance, but the benefits just didn't justify the premiums for us (especially since, at the moment, the kitten does not go outdoors). Instead, we've made a conscientious effort to put aside the amount we would have spent on premiums every month, and have set up a little safety fund to cover vet bills and unexpected pet expenses. This strategy might not be for everyone, but it's perfect for us :)
@Conciously Frugal - Ridiculous. You point out welfare, etc. and say we should (rightfully, I think) remove it in various forms. This gets us closer to capitalism. Not further away. I personally agree that the current system is not ideal, but I can definitely tell that the current US system is NOT pure capitalism. There is a lot of government regulation.
Our town just adopted Pay as you Throw. You buy your annual dump sticker to get access for a year to get rid of recyclables, and then you buy bags to get rid of non-recyclables. For avid recyclers such as us, we've actually been saving money over the old way. We get rid of recyclables weekly and non-recyclables every other week. We compost everything that might stink, or wash stuff out and put it in the appropriate recycle bin (for example, that plastic wrapper around the supermarket chicken). Bones were a problem, so I boil everything with a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to get broth, then crush the bones (the acid makes them soft) and bury the bone meal/chunks under the daffodil/tulip beds in the back yard. Got the kids trained to cut their meat off the bones and immediately throw them into a 'bone bowl' in the center of the table to make broth.
We're a resort area, so the residents have actually been heavily subsidizing the hotels, restaurants, and rental cottages all these years where vacationers cram 14 people in a house for a week and leave ungodly amounts of trash which the business owner was just pretending it was his regular trash. The chamber of commerce fought it tooth and nail crying tales of gloom and doom and everybody going bankrupt, but nobody has gone out of business so far, more businesses are doing a better job of recycling, and the run-of-the-mill citizen likes the program because how much they pay really is in their control.
My husband and I have no human children, but we have a dog whom has brought such a great energy to our home. Yes, pets add expenses to the household budget, but what you get back from them (loyalty, affection, love, etc.) makes any expense worth it!
Two cats here, and worth every penny they cost us - and a whole lot more!
I bought my applecare off of Ebay, and have used it twice. I went with a trusted seller. I can only speak from my experience.
lol... most of this post goes against what my doctor has told me to do individually... nutrition isn't an area to try making broad, general statements, as eating habits are so specific.
I have a cat and a dog
I have a pet! Her name is April and she's ahhhmazing! The costs are sometimes hard to keep up with but are always worth it because she is always there for me!!
Yep, I have a 12 year old cat and a 2 year old dog. both are entertaining, loving, adventurous, comical companions. Funniest part is is that they don't like each other! they don't fight, but they are jealous and do all sorts of things to get my attention. Hilarious! They are loved and very well cared for and it they get too expensive, well, then, I'll just have to cut the budget somewhere else. It is my responsibility to care for them and love them and keep them from the shelters and the streets. They chose well the day they found me. :)
It is good to be able to quit a bad habit once and for all. One thing I like to remember is that even if you relapse, think of how many days you went without your bad habit. Be positive and don't think, "I can't do this, because I'll just give up again." For some people cold turkey works and some like to wean themselves off.
I personally liked to quit cold turkey. A trick I use is to give up three things, but concentrate on one. For example, say I won't eat McDonald's, Steak & Shake and Sonic. If you give in one day and eat one of those, you can still feel good about not eating the others.
Before I moved, I have been off caffeine for 3 years and quit eating a lot of fast food. However, when I moved and began working it became difficult to maintain that lifestyle.
Essentially it is important to set yourself up for success by being practical. You have to consider the difficulties you will encounter and how will you process them. Not just wake up and say "I'm going to quit!"
My reasons for quitting are to save money and to get a better deeper rest. Hopefully over time, I will also improve my diet and lose weight. Whatever your reasons may be, GOOD LUCK!
Great points mentioned there Paul, when one is looking for a job, he/she shall not rely on one technique to get a job.
Applying is just the first part, it's important that you follow up on your resume as well. Take your decisions wisely.
I shop this way during the summer when I have more time during the day. During the school year it just doesn't work well for me. Walking would be a 30 minute round trip to the store. 10 minutes there--10 minutes back-- 10 minutes shopping. If I were to wait until after work to go shopping, I am sure that being tired/rushed would play into what I would buy. I would go for what is quick over what is less expensive. If the food is at home waiting for me, then it is much easier just to go home, use that additional 30 minutes, and do the work needed to put dinner on the table.
I also have to admit that I really hate crowds, and will shop super early in the morning just to avoid the crush. Right after work the grocery stores are way too busy for me.
We have 2 cats.One of the things we do to save money is take them to the pet store for their shots. Our pet store offers this service twice a year.
Yes, I have 4 cats; the most recent two are rescued adults. Over time they have cost me a huge amount of money, what with injuries (even thought they are all indoor only) and old age illnesses, but I don't have children so I figure the amount I spend on them is what I'd spend on kids. My cats are much less trouble than kids--they don't talk back, they love me unconditionally, they love to cuddle, and they stay kid-like and loving their whole lives. They are a joy to come home to as they are always thrilled to see me. I'm happy I can get so much love from them even if they cost me, and I feel bad for children who don't grow up knowing the joy that comes from animal companions.
Yep, I have pets-five cats and a dog. All are rescue/shelter pets and they are the best pets to have. In fact, my dog Nicki just came here to her forever home last week. She is a 12 yr old sheppard mix who runs around the yard like a pup. It's great. I have pets because of their companionship and the the knowledge that I saved a life. I buy pet food on sale and use coupons. I can't put a price on the love and companionship they provide.
I have an Excalibur and I love it. Kale chips are the best. I save money by drying berries and frozen vegetables bought on sale. Drying saves freezer space too.
Is there an ingredient I can add to my homemade nut butter to prevent it from separating?
This post was very enlightening. I love PB and never considered how easy it could be to make (and customize! :) my own until this post. thanks!!
+1 on hoisin + lime juice. Makes a great dipping sauce for grilled meat. Start with a 50/50 mix and adjust to your taste and preferred consistency.