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To me, a pet is beneficial to good health. There are plenty of studies that show that there is a link between the two. I suppose that you could say that having a pet is like having a health insurance policy.
A great way to have animals in your life frugally is to foster. We have 2 adopted and foster. The rescue pays everything including food. Yes it is hard when they leave but
You have the satisfaction of helping a animal get a good home and get to love them while you have
Them. People say to
Me oh I have too big a heart to foster, I couldn't let them go. My response is none of us know how long we have on earth it take a bigger heart to love and let go.
As far as the cost of my adopted. It is really my only hobby and I do
Everything to care for them but in a frugal manner. They bring me love and happiness and they get me exercise everyday, plus we do a lot of social activities with our group as well.
If you invested that money instead and got a 7% return, it would amount to around $33k after 17 years (the lifespan of a typical pet). I wonder if people of modest means are aware of the opportunity costs involved with having pets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by joe moving
I really doubt it. My dog probably costs about $1000 a year including food and vet.
I have a 19 year old cat who will be 20 in October. I think over that whole period of time I spent maybe $3500 and $1500 of it was recently when I had some dental work done.
He's worth every penny and more.
My thoughts exactly when I had mine. I always found comfort in pets when I was going through rough times and depressed and also in general. I couldn't afford to care for a pet in my current financial state. I usually just put food out for the strays which for me makes up for not having one of my own.
I'm curious as to how the frugal crowd feels about dogs, cats and the like. I don't have pets now nor do I plan on it. First, they do not fit in well with my career, but secondly, and mainly, I think they are a huge waste of money. I'd much rather save the $800 a year and invest it. I read that it costs a person up to $15k in expenses over the life of a typical pet.
Maybe in my retirement years if I am all alone I will consider it. When I was growing up we had cats; even now my folks have like seven of them. It gets to be an issue because it can be hard to find a sitter so they rarely vacation together.
PLEASE DON'T GET A PET, NOT NOW AND NOT IN YOUR "RETIREMENT YEARS." People like you shouldn't have pets. If you question whether a pet is a waste of money, then the answer is yes they are a waste of money FOR YOU.
Pets are wonderful and give most people lots of pleasure. They can lower your blood pressure, they can make you smile when your day has been crappy, and they're the most loyal friends and family and reward people a thousand times over.
But nope, you shouldn't have pets. Ever.
PS. I chose to have pets over kids. I'm thrilled about my decision every single day.
What homeless have are known as Pity Pooches. There is even one around here that holds a anything helps good bless sign in his mouth.
Not true. Sure some may do that, but do you know that there are homeless people who are homeless because they choose not to give up their pets ? There are people who could easily be accommodated in shelters or in public housing that doesn't allow pets, but they choose to live on the streets so that they can keep their beloved pets.
A little bitty dog does not eat as much as a big huge dog.
True! However, vet bills don't differentiate between large and small pets.
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