Absolutely not!! Vet bills, shots, medicine, cost of food, toys, bones, cleaning up poop, slobber, hair everywhere, smell, can't leave for more than 1/2 a day, boarding is insanely expensive. They chew up your stuff and whine.
Sure, people see them as "cute" but, I'd much rather go on vacation, invest my money, pay off a car, see shows, etc. that pay to have something that smells, poops, drains your money and doesn't allow you to leave for more than 1/2 a day.
"Plus, that "homemade" apple pie at your local chain restaurant probably came straight from the freezer, and before that, the factory."
This is a big one for me. Though many local eateries are certainly guilty of it too, most chains--especially those with 20 page menus--are pulling most of that food out of the freezer and slapping it in the microwave. That's how they achieve the consistency Americans crave. If I want that, I can buy Lean Cuisines 5 for $10 at my grocery store and save waiting outside for 45 min with my plastic buzzer.
It really depends on the family! I personally don't like having pets (we've had fish, but that's it) because really it's like having another child, one that you can leave home alone for a while. But we enjoy being able to travel and leave home for the day without worrying about being home in time to feed or let the pet out. After our 3rd fish (Bob3, can you guess the names of the other two?) died and was duly buried underneath a flowering tree, we had planned to be busy so much that getting another was just not a good option for us. We're happy to be petless.
Of course they are if you contain them. We way 'over vet', and don't give our pets hospice instead of all kinds of medical tricks. I have had 6 cats that all lived to 14-19, very happy lives.
Personally, my pet is completely worth the cost. I try to keep costs down by keeping her as healthy as possible. Sure, the food and stuff might cost a little more up front, and brushing cats teeth isn't the most pleasant thing to do, but it beats vet bills!
Used to love having pets, but these days resources are thin, so I'm using all my spare $$ to help support my friend's daughter. Sometimes you just have to choose.
I am 61 years old. I have been drinking softened water my entire life. I have been cooking with it at my parents home and now through my adult life. My entire family is in excellent health, no high blood pressure or internal problems. In fact, my in-laws who never had a softener had high blood pressure and neither lived to be 80 years old. I find this report to be somewhat ridiculous. A water softener timer uses no more electricity than an alarm clock. The salt usage concerns are also not relevant. Do you eat bread or eat a banana? That is about how much residual salt may be in soft water. I dare this group to find anyone who has lost their life to a water softener.
Pets are absolutely worth the cost! I couldn't imagine life without them. As for lowering costs for them, I don't. I'll cut back on other things before allowing my pets to suffer.
I am cheap but pets are worth it. Definitely can save money in the long run by getting preventative care, taking care of problems early before they become complicated and expensive. Also, most dogs and cats will do well to feed less than what the food bags recommend - avoid a lot of health problems keeping them at a lean weight (remember that the food companies are trying to make money selling food so of course they will tell you to feed more rather than less!).
Yes. It's worth the cost. My cats keep me sane.
How to keep costs down? Well, cats love cheap bird feeders, cheap litter, tin foil and ping pong balls, and their vet costs are generally pretty low anyway. :)
You can actually get good deals at some chain restaurants such as meals for 2, etc. However, I definitely agree with your point about it not being unique. The food is made to the same specifications as every other joint under the same name. There's nothing different about it.
But, if you got to your local place and order their specialty dish, you (and whoever else is eating it in that restaurant) are the only person in America eating that dish. It's special, rather than a mass-produced recipe.
Pros and Cons to each, but I would choose a local place if I had to choose.
If you can spare the money they are more than worth it. I had a yellow Labrador growing up and it just died with failed kidneys, but that dog meant so much to me. Whenever I come home, some part of me expects him to be there to greet me.
People that don't have pets don't realize how much they can mean to you. While they aren't people, it's great to have another body around the house.
Meg, these are great. Saying thanks is such an important part of life, and it's SO important that we don't forget it. We all like to be thanked, so we need to think of others when they help us out in some way.
Many people forget this all too easily these days.
I love having pets and think they are worth the money. I wish I could have pets where I live now but as soon as I can afford a house, I will be getting a dog.
Absolutely not!! Vet bills, shots, medicine, cost of food, toys, bones, cleaning up poop, slobber, hair everywhere, smell, can't leave for more than 1/2 a day, boarding is insanely expensive. They chew up your stuff and whine.
Sure, people see them as "cute" but, I'd much rather go on vacation, invest my money, pay off a car, see shows, etc. that pay to have something that smells, poops, drains your money and doesn't allow you to leave for more than 1/2 a day.
"Plus, that "homemade" apple pie at your local chain restaurant probably came straight from the freezer, and before that, the factory."
This is a big one for me. Though many local eateries are certainly guilty of it too, most chains--especially those with 20 page menus--are pulling most of that food out of the freezer and slapping it in the microwave. That's how they achieve the consistency Americans crave. If I want that, I can buy Lean Cuisines 5 for $10 at my grocery store and save waiting outside for 45 min with my plastic buzzer.
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It really depends on the family! I personally don't like having pets (we've had fish, but that's it) because really it's like having another child, one that you can leave home alone for a while. But we enjoy being able to travel and leave home for the day without worrying about being home in time to feed or let the pet out. After our 3rd fish (Bob3, can you guess the names of the other two?) died and was duly buried underneath a flowering tree, we had planned to be busy so much that getting another was just not a good option for us. We're happy to be petless.
Thanks for the mention Ashley!
Of course they are if you contain them. We way 'over vet', and don't give our pets hospice instead of all kinds of medical tricks. I have had 6 cats that all lived to 14-19, very happy lives.
My Akita is absolutely worth it! Who else would love me like no one else, protect me and keep my feet warm. Certainly not my husband. :)
Personally, my pet is completely worth the cost. I try to keep costs down by keeping her as healthy as possible. Sure, the food and stuff might cost a little more up front, and brushing cats teeth isn't the most pleasant thing to do, but it beats vet bills!
Used to love having pets, but these days resources are thin, so I'm using all my spare $$ to help support my friend's daughter. Sometimes you just have to choose.
I am 61 years old. I have been drinking softened water my entire life. I have been cooking with it at my parents home and now through my adult life. My entire family is in excellent health, no high blood pressure or internal problems. In fact, my in-laws who never had a softener had high blood pressure and neither lived to be 80 years old. I find this report to be somewhat ridiculous. A water softener timer uses no more electricity than an alarm clock. The salt usage concerns are also not relevant. Do you eat bread or eat a banana? That is about how much residual salt may be in soft water. I dare this group to find anyone who has lost their life to a water softener.
For me having pets is worth the cost. I love my dog and I can't really put a price on the happiness she brings to my life.
Pets are absolutely worth the cost! I couldn't imagine life without them. As for lowering costs for them, I don't. I'll cut back on other things before allowing my pets to suffer.
I am cheap but pets are worth it. Definitely can save money in the long run by getting preventative care, taking care of problems early before they become complicated and expensive. Also, most dogs and cats will do well to feed less than what the food bags recommend - avoid a lot of health problems keeping them at a lean weight (remember that the food companies are trying to make money selling food so of course they will tell you to feed more rather than less!).
Yes. It's worth the cost. My cats keep me sane.
How to keep costs down? Well, cats love cheap bird feeders, cheap litter, tin foil and ping pong balls, and their vet costs are generally pretty low anyway. :)
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We have resisted getting a pet so far, and I am glad to be free of the expenses, responsibilities, costs, and allergies. Not worth it to me.
You can actually get good deals at some chain restaurants such as meals for 2, etc. However, I definitely agree with your point about it not being unique. The food is made to the same specifications as every other joint under the same name. There's nothing different about it.
But, if you got to your local place and order their specialty dish, you (and whoever else is eating it in that restaurant) are the only person in America eating that dish. It's special, rather than a mass-produced recipe.
Pros and Cons to each, but I would choose a local place if I had to choose.
If you can spare the money they are more than worth it. I had a yellow Labrador growing up and it just died with failed kidneys, but that dog meant so much to me. Whenever I come home, some part of me expects him to be there to greet me.
People that don't have pets don't realize how much they can mean to you. While they aren't people, it's great to have another body around the house.
So yes!
Meg, these are great. Saying thanks is such an important part of life, and it's SO important that we don't forget it. We all like to be thanked, so we need to think of others when they help us out in some way.
Many people forget this all too easily these days.
Very good ideas! I will definitely use some of these. Definitely using my stale bread to make french toast.
I liked WiseBread on facebook!
My dogs are worth every penny and the pennies have been many. Lots of lessons learned too. The preventive care is a real money saver in the long run.
I love having pets and think they are worth the money. I wish I could have pets where I live now but as soon as I can afford a house, I will be getting a dog.
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