Recent comments

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    We have an English Cocker & 2 cats. 1 cat came home from college with my older son, and will leave when he does. The dog & 1 cat are enough for me right now... there's too much friction between the 2 cats, as the older one likes to be left alone. Eventually, I'd like to have another dog.

    For us, the joys & benefits outweigh the costs & inconveniences of pet ownership. The main problem is care of the dog when we travel for business. For now, my sons are here to handle that for the most part. The dog gets us out walking regularly, which is great for all of us!

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    We have three small dogs, and so it gets pricey trying to keep them groomed. We've started getting them kennel cuts so they can go longer in between haircuts.

  • Ask the Readers: Are Checks a Thing of the Past? (Chance to win $20!)   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I pay my rent check to my landlord every month!! Also I pay checks to my son's school, photographer and tutors.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    As if not liking cats wasn't enough, I was also allergic to them. But my gf wanted one really bad so we ended up adopting a 4 month old kitten.

    Now I love cats, haha! We've had him for about 6-7 months now, he's a cool little chump, a lot of fun. Plus, I seem to have gotten over the allergies too! :)

  • 6 Options if You're Underwater on Your Mortgage   15 years 6 weeks ago

    Here is my question for you, ladies and gentlemen, if I decided to walk away from my underwater mortgage and let the bank have it.. I will have bad credits for years to come. Does bad credit report affect my prospect of finding a job or renting an apartment? This nagging question makes it difficult for me to walk away. Please advise.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    yep, a cat 6 chickens and a duck!

  • 10 Outdated Job-Search Techniques to Avoid   15 years 6 weeks ago

    A lot of these posts seem to miss the point about the resume tip. The point is to send your resume directly to the hiring manager, not to the HR department. If you get in the hands of the hiring manager, who says, "Wow, this person is a perfect fit!" you're halfway there. Even if the hiring manager looks at your resume and doesn't think there's a fit - at least he or she saw it. You've essentially hopped over the HR/Recruiting gatekeepers to the next step in the process.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    No pets - the kid is allergic.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I have a kitty kat named PaleFace. He is my best friend.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    Yes, I have 2 Chihuahuas, a black-and-white short-haired and a brown long-haired variety, the terror twosome.

    I think the benefits of pet ownership outweigh the costs, if you can afford it, but it probably also saves you money in other places that you don't think about.

    Like, you get more exercise if you walk your dog, which could reduce long-term healthcare cost, or your dogs may save on entertainment costs if you play with them at the park for free instead of going to the movies or something.

    I'm lucky that mine are generally healthy, because if they have some type of meds that need to be taken or other health problems, it can get expensive.

    I've always had pets around though, so home doesn't seem complete without them.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    i have 2 Cats i save shopping sales and coupons on Cat needs

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I have a cat (about 4 years old) and a mouse. For me the price isn't a big deal. I use a bag of cat litter crystals per month and maybe a 4 lb bag of food each month as well. The mouse food costs about $5 and lasts even longer. The bedding isn't expensive at all.

    To keep costs down I use materials from home. The mouse cage constantly has a revolving selection of boxes and paper tubes. I can use veggie bits for treat. I also hand sew cat toys from felt scraps.

    I'm thinking the cat costs about $25/month and the mouse is $25/year, not bad at all for companionship and love.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I am a pet owner. We have been the proud owners of 1 golden retriever, Newman, for 15 years, 1 black lab mix, Lucy, for 14 years and recently inherited a sweet black kitty, Patootie, when my mother suddenly passed away last July.
    We recently lost Newman due to age related illness in January then Lucy passed away just last week. I say it was from a broken heart but think perhaps age played a big part. Patootie has been such a comfort for my husband and myself since the dog's passing.
    How fortunate we have been to have had companions like Newman and Lucy for so many years. Patootie is now 13 and hopefully will be with us for many more years. I love them all.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    We have 2 cats. One of them had liver failure recenr\tly and I choose to do whatever it took to save him. It cost about $4000-5000 and weeks of special care at home, but it was worth it.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I've got a cat, because I think that when humans have stable, animal-friendly housing, it's their social responsibility to share it with domesticated creatures who would otherwise be homeless, or would wreak havoc on the local ecosystems by eating birds if left to live outside.

    I save money taking care of my pet by using high-quality, no-grain food--from Trader Joe's the cat tuna can be fed for $0.40 for a day's serving, and since it contains no ingredients a cat hasn't evolved to digest (like rice, oats, pastas, or wheat), it keeps my cat healthier, preventing unnecessary vet's visits.

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I have two cats. The costs aren't terribly high. I use an inexpensive vet and they work with me to make sure that we're not doing unrequired procedures. I combine coupons with sales for their food and litter. Toys tend to be old shoe laces, the plastic rings off milk jugs or anything that I leave lying around on the floor. My little cat spent about 20 minutes last night playing with a cardstock flyer that was left on my door that accidentally fell on the floor.

  • 9 Items Every New Doggy Parent Should Own   15 years 6 weeks ago

    One of my dogs is always looking for a den. Sometimes, he sleeps in the closet (especially during thunder storms).

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    From personal experience I can tell you that it can be tough being a single "mommy" to a dog, but it is doable. Also, I've found that sometimes having a dog tends to be much easier than having a boyfriend! :)

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    That is too funny about your child and the cat! Hopefully they will learn to get along eventually. :)

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I have two cats and 1 dog. I save $$ by shopping around for veterinary services. I finally found a local vet who is much cheaper even though you usually have to wait in longer lines. When I got my cat declawed though, it cost $40 and there was no problems compared to it costing $200+ at other places. I don't save as much as I could because my dog requires a special food and medicine for her seizures. However, I think it's worth it for the companionship. I always have someone to pet or love, I have a guardian and a workout partner. :p

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    We have a 6 month old boxer.

  • 9 Items Every New Doggy Parent Should Own   15 years 6 weeks ago

    I agree that a collar is good when teaching a puppy. As I mentioned, a harness is not a smart purchase for a dog that's still growing. I stick by the use of the harness, though. My dogs walk instead of pull, but that has a lot to do with how much one is willing to train the dog. If the dog is a puller, I definitely think the harness is the way to go. If the parent is not willing to teach the dog not to pull, it might as well be comfortable. Thanks for chiming in!

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    Yes! I have two indoor/outdoor cats. I make their cat food. It is better for them than anything I could buy at the store and far cheaper. Our cats are loveable and keep pests out of our home, so yes - they're worth it!

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    Awww, I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe you will change your mind someday...

  • Ask The Readers: Do You Have Pets?   15 years 6 weeks ago

    Haha, I love that! Pet's are definitely a fun form of entertainment. They do the funniest things sometimes!