It is interesting that in many subdivisions throughout middle/upper class america. You are actually fined if your grass died and yard tuned brown. I once lived in a place that had sprinkler systems installed and ran in the spring when it rained everyday. I unplugged my sprinkler system since it was raining and i got a call from the subdivision board to turn it back on because it doesnt cost that much since i have a well and that i needed to give the ground a good soaking before the summer dry months!
the mint deal lasted for a while...until banks started reporting that people were depositing coins with boxes marked U.S. Mint on it. It's pretty hilarious.
I have cats right now and they get both dry and wet food. All natural(Nutro, 20 a bag), one of them cannot handle anything with any dyes in them (Poop City!!) And we definitely spoil them with toys. So yeah we spend a good amount on them. I do try and hit sales every chance I can get though!
Petco does offer clinics for vaccinations/shots for a good price. Also micro-chipping!
Last year we gave our family beagle the ham bone from Christmas dinner, 2 days later she was extremely sick. Turns out she had chewed down the bone so much tiny shards got into her kidneys and shut them down. We had to have her put to sleep the day after New Years. Not saying you shouldn't give your dogs bones, just check with your Vet for the right kind.
I have five dogs and three cats. I HAVE to cut corners. My animals eat Purina products and I take them to our local animal shelter for their shots - at unbelievably low prices.
By the way, my animals seem to live FOREVER. I have a Beagle that's at LEAST 19 (road rescue)and my German Shepherd died at the ripe old age of 18.
You don't need to spend a fortune to get good value.
We keep our pet healthy by feeding him only food that is good for him, keeping his shots current and making sure he gets enough exercise. This way we don't have to spend a lot on sick visit vet bills.
Wow, I just wrote about this very subject today. My elderly diabetic dog has become very expensive. We buy groceries for her before we take care of ourselves. She eats a lot of chicken and steamed vegetables for dinner and oatmeal in the morning. Sometimes she has steak or fresh fish. It's the least I can do for her after all she has done for my family. :)
The rule for sports is no more exercise 4 hours before you go to bed. But yes exercise is a good and healthy way to sleep better and it's just healthy really :)
We have our pets 'insured' with Banfield Pet Hospital (usually always found in PetSmart). I pay $20 a month for one dog and $27 for the other. The plan includes all office visits and 2 routine check ups a year. By paying throughout the year, I don't have that huge, unexpected vet bill when I need to board the dogs and have to go get their shots. It is a wellness plan, though... and a few things to note: coverage is only AT Banfield... I can't go to any other vets with the plan unless they work at a Banfield. Also, it's a wellness plan, if there's an accident whatever they need won't be covered (i.e. hit by a car).
I keep my costs down by making toys for my pup. I've sewn covers around plastic bottles which make a fun crinkly noise for her to chase around. I also sometimes just put peanut butter inside a bottle for her to chase around and lick out. When it's hot out, I freeze a dish towel for her to chew on and keep cool.
Don't buy lots of toys and treats. Kitties are just as happy with an old ribbon or a tennis ball from Goodwill. Also, look for low cost options for vaccinations. There are always specials going on here, and year round nonprofits that offer discount wellness visits.
I do two things: I give my dogs their shots -- available for purchase at farm supply stores and easy to administer as they are given subcutaneously. I can get all the shots except rabies, and for those, I look for clinics that our county sponsors when practical (if not we go to the vet, costs more, but obviously, important to stay up-to-date). For heartworm prevention rather than prescription products I use OTC cow wormer (liquid, also available from farm supply stores) that contains ivermectin. I just administer the same dose (orally) as heartguard would contain (my vet approves). This costs about $30 for two years for my 2 large dogs, versus $72 for 6 months for heartguard through the vet.
We basically don't go to the vet unless my dogs are sick (as I can manage the routine stuff myself, through the above). No doubt that will horrify some posters here, but to date, my dogs have thrived.
My dog took the store brand of Centrum Silver, buy one get one free, people glucosamine is the same as dog glucosamine, so before my dog was older - I did this, then the Centrum Sliver store brand, checked this out with two vets they said your right -it does have everything a dog could need!
I don't cut corners when it comes to my pets, and so far, that's benefited me because I haven't had any major medical expenses or vet visits for them. Granted, I will check for sales and coupons on food, treats, etc., but I don't get anything less than the best because sometimes saving a little in the short run can cause huge losses later. Keeping them healthy is the best way to keep the vet away (of course, I still make sure that they get the proper shots and such).
If your cat only eats people food - make sure it has taurine (ask your vet about this, cats need it or they will go blind) there was a time when a cat would eat an entire mouse and get this nutrient, its not in people food but in cat food>
We just got a new puppy this week. Our first dog died last year. After nearly 15 years of pet ownership, I just had an "aha" moment. I don't need to buy pet treats. Chunks of cheese, pieces of carrot, left over bits o' meat. We are training the pup, and that requires lots of incentive (treats.) Don't need to spend $3.50 for a small bag of whoknowswhat for the dog. Duh!
With 6 cats and 2 dogs life could be expensive! One of the main ways of saving money is to have indoor cats, no fights, not being hit by cars...they play with each other and best of all no yearly vaccinations or flea medication! The dogs had their puppy shots and first year shots but we do over vaccinate our pets, some people titer test to make sure the vaccination is still active but like our measles and rubella its only needed once (that's why pet insurance is a waste, they insist on yearly vaccinations and my cats live into their twenties) My vet also agrees with me (accept for rabies which is legally required for a dog license)My dogs get flea meds and never bring them to the cats,plus heart worm (bought on Ebay or on sale at an internet store) they are checked for and medicated for every year. Friends of Animals also supply low cost spay and neuter certificates, they can mail them to your house for $60.00 you can get a $300 operation!
Coupons for food and litter, lots of exercise at a leash free park and training, if your dog gets into a fight more big $$$$, but a local library can teach you with books or CD's or watch the Dog whisperer! I also cook bargain chicken in my crock pot,no bones but the meat just slides off, or mix in leftovers with their regular food, and when I switch foods, I do it slowly to avoid stomach upset. Benefits are unconditional love, low blood pressure, good exercise for me and my own really good burglar alarm, 100 lb. German Shepherd and 37 lb. mixed breed rescue! They also put out great heat in the winter, dogs and cats...our own bed warmers!
We buy our dogs' food & treats at Trader Joes, as their stuff is pretty high quality and well priced. I like to buy toys at the post-Christmas sales at Petco - the dogs don't care if their toys are all red and green! :D They do need to be groomed occasionally, but in between we use the self-serve pet wash which is pretty inexpensive. For vet care we count on spending a couple hundred a year on preventive care, and I definitely favor keeping a savings account for emergencies and extra stuff - for example our girl needs a tooth extracted and that's pricey.
Pets are a bargain. In addition to being a joy all on their own, having them helps keep our entertainment, health, and fitness costs down. :)
@Guest (above) - great point! I guess you vet the good ones from the bad with a dose of good judgement and gut instinct. Also, in terms of payment for freelance work, escrow services are a great way to protect both the buyer and seller. Any suggestions from other commenters on how to determine if an online job offer is legitimate?
As my subject line indicates, I have three ferrets in my household. Ferrets are notorious for having many expensive health problems and I've had one already that cost me alot of money. If anything, I spend more money on them. I believe making sure they eat a high quality food is the most important step in keeping them healthy. Spending more money now on high quality food will hopefully save me money down the road by avoiding some of the major health problems they get. It's an investment but when I got pets, I knew it would be a struggle sometimes and I know I'll always do everything I can for what's in their best interest. I guess the one thing I do now is make a big effort to find coupons and deals for food and toys for them.
My husband and I have five cats that are our children. We'd spare no expense for their care and wellbeing, but are still mindful of ways in which we can save on their upkeep without sacrificing the quality of care.
-- Until recently, our local warehouse club sold large bags of the dry pet food we prefer to feed them. Although they have stopped carrying it there, we can still stock up on the same brand of canned cat foot, and litter, at a significant discount.
-- With five cats, we have to be diligent about litterboxes. We found that litterpan liners were a waste -- the cats would scratch through them anyway (making them difficult to remove without also making a mess) and simply scrubbing out the boxes on a regular basis both keeps them clean and eliminates the need for liners.
-- Clumping litter not only makes for more efficient use, but results in a much cleaner-smelling litterbox, as well.
-- Having the cats on a staggered vet schedule lets us keep up with their annual visits without having one huge annual cost. Spreading it out over a few months means less stress on our wallets, especially if one of them needs special care.
-- Our vet offers three-year rabies vaccines, which is more cost effective than having them renew it every single year.
-- By volunteering as foster parents for local rescues, when we decided to keep one of our foster cats, they covered the entire cost of having him fixed and inoculated.
-- Another local rescue offers discounted spay and neutering, FAR below the cost of going to a regular vet. We always recommend them to other cat owners who have been balking at the cost. It's less expensive to them, and it means fewer kittens end up in the system later on.
-- Keeping your cats indoors all time time means is not only what's best for your pet, but it means less (or no) flea-and-tick control, and all-around healthier animals.
-- Buy a $5 clipper and learn how to clip your cat's claws. They'll accept it as routine, your furniture will be spared, and you won't have to put out money for a declawing procedure that's expensive, unnecessary and detrimental to your cat's long-term health.
-- There are a million recipes for dog treats online, made with simple ingredients that you have at home, or can buy inexpensively. At Christmas I make batches of treats with shredded cheddar cheese, beef bullion, whole wheat flour and peanut butter. Dogs LOVE them, the ingredients are all-natural (you can even go organic, if you want) and you can roll them or cut them to a size that is perfect for your dog.
It is interesting that in many subdivisions throughout middle/upper class america. You are actually fined if your grass died and yard tuned brown. I once lived in a place that had sprinkler systems installed and ran in the spring when it rained everyday. I unplugged my sprinkler system since it was raining and i got a call from the subdivision board to turn it back on because it doesnt cost that much since i have a well and that i needed to give the ground a good soaking before the summer dry months!
the mint deal lasted for a while...until banks started reporting that people were depositing coins with boxes marked U.S. Mint on it. It's pretty hilarious.
"Now, though, the vet is saying she needs glucosamine for joint problems. Anybody with ideas on how to save on this supplement?"
In one word: Walmart
I have cats right now and they get both dry and wet food. All natural(Nutro, 20 a bag), one of them cannot handle anything with any dyes in them (Poop City!!) And we definitely spoil them with toys. So yeah we spend a good amount on them. I do try and hit sales every chance I can get though!
Petco does offer clinics for vaccinations/shots for a good price. Also micro-chipping!
Last year we gave our family beagle the ham bone from Christmas dinner, 2 days later she was extremely sick. Turns out she had chewed down the bone so much tiny shards got into her kidneys and shut them down. We had to have her put to sleep the day after New Years. Not saying you shouldn't give your dogs bones, just check with your Vet for the right kind.
I have five dogs and three cats. I HAVE to cut corners. My animals eat Purina products and I take them to our local animal shelter for their shots - at unbelievably low prices.
By the way, my animals seem to live FOREVER. I have a Beagle that's at LEAST 19 (road rescue)and my German Shepherd died at the ripe old age of 18.
You don't need to spend a fortune to get good value.
The company retains a right to repurchase (typically at the exercise price) the unvested portion of the shares when the employee leaves the company.
We keep our pet healthy by feeding him only food that is good for him, keeping his shots current and making sure he gets enough exercise. This way we don't have to spend a lot on sick visit vet bills.
Wow, I just wrote about this very subject today. My elderly diabetic dog has become very expensive. We buy groceries for her before we take care of ourselves. She eats a lot of chicken and steamed vegetables for dinner and oatmeal in the morning. Sometimes she has steak or fresh fish. It's the least I can do for her after all she has done for my family. :)
@gt0163c - Have you tried using Skype chat for quick messages back and forth? It does work well once you get everyone in your circle on it.
One remote working client I worked with had even tried creating work-only Twitter ids. It seemed to half work - very distracting!
The rule for sports is no more exercise 4 hours before you go to bed. But yes exercise is a good and healthy way to sleep better and it's just healthy really :)
We have our pets 'insured' with Banfield Pet Hospital (usually always found in PetSmart). I pay $20 a month for one dog and $27 for the other. The plan includes all office visits and 2 routine check ups a year. By paying throughout the year, I don't have that huge, unexpected vet bill when I need to board the dogs and have to go get their shots. It is a wellness plan, though... and a few things to note: coverage is only AT Banfield... I can't go to any other vets with the plan unless they work at a Banfield. Also, it's a wellness plan, if there's an accident whatever they need won't be covered (i.e. hit by a car).
I keep my costs down by making toys for my pup. I've sewn covers around plastic bottles which make a fun crinkly noise for her to chase around. I also sometimes just put peanut butter inside a bottle for her to chase around and lick out. When it's hot out, I freeze a dish towel for her to chew on and keep cool.
Don't buy lots of toys and treats. Kitties are just as happy with an old ribbon or a tennis ball from Goodwill. Also, look for low cost options for vaccinations. There are always specials going on here, and year round nonprofits that offer discount wellness visits.
I do two things: I give my dogs their shots -- available for purchase at farm supply stores and easy to administer as they are given subcutaneously. I can get all the shots except rabies, and for those, I look for clinics that our county sponsors when practical (if not we go to the vet, costs more, but obviously, important to stay up-to-date). For heartworm prevention rather than prescription products I use OTC cow wormer (liquid, also available from farm supply stores) that contains ivermectin. I just administer the same dose (orally) as heartguard would contain (my vet approves). This costs about $30 for two years for my 2 large dogs, versus $72 for 6 months for heartguard through the vet.
We basically don't go to the vet unless my dogs are sick (as I can manage the routine stuff myself, through the above). No doubt that will horrify some posters here, but to date, my dogs have thrived.
My dog took the store brand of Centrum Silver, buy one get one free, people glucosamine is the same as dog glucosamine, so before my dog was older - I did this, then the Centrum Sliver store brand, checked this out with two vets they said your right -it does have everything a dog could need!
I don't cut corners when it comes to my pets, and so far, that's benefited me because I haven't had any major medical expenses or vet visits for them. Granted, I will check for sales and coupons on food, treats, etc., but I don't get anything less than the best because sometimes saving a little in the short run can cause huge losses later. Keeping them healthy is the best way to keep the vet away (of course, I still make sure that they get the proper shots and such).
If your cat only eats people food - make sure it has taurine (ask your vet about this, cats need it or they will go blind) there was a time when a cat would eat an entire mouse and get this nutrient, its not in people food but in cat food>
We just got a new puppy this week. Our first dog died last year. After nearly 15 years of pet ownership, I just had an "aha" moment. I don't need to buy pet treats. Chunks of cheese, pieces of carrot, left over bits o' meat. We are training the pup, and that requires lots of incentive (treats.) Don't need to spend $3.50 for a small bag of whoknowswhat for the dog. Duh!
With 6 cats and 2 dogs life could be expensive! One of the main ways of saving money is to have indoor cats, no fights, not being hit by cars...they play with each other and best of all no yearly vaccinations or flea medication! The dogs had their puppy shots and first year shots but we do over vaccinate our pets, some people titer test to make sure the vaccination is still active but like our measles and rubella its only needed once (that's why pet insurance is a waste, they insist on yearly vaccinations and my cats live into their twenties) My vet also agrees with me (accept for rabies which is legally required for a dog license)My dogs get flea meds and never bring them to the cats,plus heart worm (bought on Ebay or on sale at an internet store) they are checked for and medicated for every year. Friends of Animals also supply low cost spay and neuter certificates, they can mail them to your house for $60.00 you can get a $300 operation!
Coupons for food and litter, lots of exercise at a leash free park and training, if your dog gets into a fight more big $$$$, but a local library can teach you with books or CD's or watch the Dog whisperer! I also cook bargain chicken in my crock pot,no bones but the meat just slides off, or mix in leftovers with their regular food, and when I switch foods, I do it slowly to avoid stomach upset. Benefits are unconditional love, low blood pressure, good exercise for me and my own really good burglar alarm, 100 lb. German Shepherd and 37 lb. mixed breed rescue! They also put out great heat in the winter, dogs and cats...our own bed warmers!
We buy our dogs' food & treats at Trader Joes, as their stuff is pretty high quality and well priced. I like to buy toys at the post-Christmas sales at Petco - the dogs don't care if their toys are all red and green! :D They do need to be groomed occasionally, but in between we use the self-serve pet wash which is pretty inexpensive. For vet care we count on spending a couple hundred a year on preventive care, and I definitely favor keeping a savings account for emergencies and extra stuff - for example our girl needs a tooth extracted and that's pricey.
Pets are a bargain. In addition to being a joy all on their own, having them helps keep our entertainment, health, and fitness costs down. :)
@Guest (above) - great point! I guess you vet the good ones from the bad with a dose of good judgement and gut instinct. Also, in terms of payment for freelance work, escrow services are a great way to protect both the buyer and seller. Any suggestions from other commenters on how to determine if an online job offer is legitimate?
As my subject line indicates, I have three ferrets in my household. Ferrets are notorious for having many expensive health problems and I've had one already that cost me alot of money. If anything, I spend more money on them. I believe making sure they eat a high quality food is the most important step in keeping them healthy. Spending more money now on high quality food will hopefully save me money down the road by avoiding some of the major health problems they get. It's an investment but when I got pets, I knew it would be a struggle sometimes and I know I'll always do everything I can for what's in their best interest. I guess the one thing I do now is make a big effort to find coupons and deals for food and toys for them.
Great deal! I have heard of Alice but never checked them out yet. I think I will now!
My husband and I have five cats that are our children. We'd spare no expense for their care and wellbeing, but are still mindful of ways in which we can save on their upkeep without sacrificing the quality of care.
-- Until recently, our local warehouse club sold large bags of the dry pet food we prefer to feed them. Although they have stopped carrying it there, we can still stock up on the same brand of canned cat foot, and litter, at a significant discount.
-- With five cats, we have to be diligent about litterboxes. We found that litterpan liners were a waste -- the cats would scratch through them anyway (making them difficult to remove without also making a mess) and simply scrubbing out the boxes on a regular basis both keeps them clean and eliminates the need for liners.
-- Clumping litter not only makes for more efficient use, but results in a much cleaner-smelling litterbox, as well.
-- Having the cats on a staggered vet schedule lets us keep up with their annual visits without having one huge annual cost. Spreading it out over a few months means less stress on our wallets, especially if one of them needs special care.
-- Our vet offers three-year rabies vaccines, which is more cost effective than having them renew it every single year.
-- By volunteering as foster parents for local rescues, when we decided to keep one of our foster cats, they covered the entire cost of having him fixed and inoculated.
-- Another local rescue offers discounted spay and neutering, FAR below the cost of going to a regular vet. We always recommend them to other cat owners who have been balking at the cost. It's less expensive to them, and it means fewer kittens end up in the system later on.
-- Keeping your cats indoors all time time means is not only what's best for your pet, but it means less (or no) flea-and-tick control, and all-around healthier animals.
-- Buy a $5 clipper and learn how to clip your cat's claws. They'll accept it as routine, your furniture will be spared, and you won't have to put out money for a declawing procedure that's expensive, unnecessary and detrimental to your cat's long-term health.
-- There are a million recipes for dog treats online, made with simple ingredients that you have at home, or can buy inexpensively. At Christmas I make batches of treats with shredded cheddar cheese, beef bullion, whole wheat flour and peanut butter. Dogs LOVE them, the ingredients are all-natural (you can even go organic, if you want) and you can roll them or cut them to a size that is perfect for your dog.