As far as pets go, we just have the one dog, but we’ll be adding to the family in a couple of years when the time is right. Pets are expensive even if you pass on the pricey foods.

I also have veterinary pet insurance: I pay less than $15 per month for a basic insurance plan plus a cancer treatment “rider.” I know a lot of people don’t like pet insurance because it doesn’t cover everything fully, and sometimes costs an awful lot, but I think about it as a way to stretch my money a little further: if I saved that $180 a year, it wouldn’t get me much in the way of treatment, but the insurance will let me buy more treatment for her than if I didn’t have it. I also budget for my dog monthly and put money aside for vet bills and unexpected costs, the way I do for myself, because the pet insurance works in a “pay out of pocket, get reimbursed” model, and I’m not willing to keep a credit card on hand. That’s what the emergency fund is for!

It also seems to function as “Murphy Repellant”: since I’ve had the insurance, my dog hasn’t had any major health problems (touch wood!)… that is definitely worth $180 bux a year!

That said, the “isn’t that cute/must have it for the pooch” syndrome can be an expensive one: best defense for me is just to stay out of the stores in the first place and to go in with a specific list when I do go there.

I’ve also cut back on the number of rawhide bones I give my dog, because the kind she likes (Dingo brand) are so crazy expensive: I still give her a couple a week, because she loves them and they keep her teeth cleaner than I can get them with a toothbrush. (I’ve had her four years and have never needed to have her teeth cleaned! Big expense in and of itself!) I also do all my own grooming: baths, haircuts, toenails, daily brushing and etc. Saves a bundle, especially considering she’s a Yorkie, and she enjoys the extra attention.

I definitely think there’s a line to be drawn, but I don’t have kids so she’s my companion and friend and I’d pretty much do anything for her… (except go into debt!)

I linked wrote it up on my blog and linked back to you.

I disagree about saving on vet/vaccines though. That’s one area where I’m not taking any chances.

We do buy bulk and order several containers of their food to get a small discount but we feed very expensive food to our dogs. We are thinking about cutting our insurance and just saving the money on our own in ING.

Great article!