Pet Parenthood - Happy Hour Style
Today is the last Friday of the month and in case you are new to this blog or my podcast, on the last Friday of the month, I host a happy hour on my podcast where the happy hour ladies and I talk about various money topics while drinking cheap drinks! Today’s Happy Hour is a fun topic – pet parenthood! 34 Happy Hours later and I can’t believe we haven’t spoken about pets yet. The four of us all live with and love our furry children. We discuss how we manage them financially and how you can prepare for the financial ups and downs of pet parenthood. Cheers!
What are we drinking?
Melanie from Dear Debt — Malbec
Tonya from Budget and the Beach — Pinot Grigio
Mrs. Frugalwoods from Frugalwoods.com — Hot chocolate
Shannon — Malbec
Podcast Notes
Shannon starts the conversation by asking the ladies how pet parents should refer to themselves.
The Frugalwoods both grew up with all sorts of animals and wanted a dog for years before they finally adopted their 8-year-old greyhound, Gracie – also known as Frugal Hound.
They waited 5 years before adopting her because of several different reasons including grad school, traveling for work, renting & money.
They researched dogs and finally decided rescuing a greyhound was the right option for them and their lives.
Mrs. Frugalwoods says frugal pet ownership starts by thinking about what breed of dog is best for your budget and lifestyle so you are happy and your pet is happy as well.
Melanie grew up with cats and always wanted a cat when she moved out on her own but couldn’t afford one.
A year and a half after she paid off her student loan debt, she was finally able to adopt TWO kittens – Thelonious and Miles!
Tonya grew up with dogs and wasn’t really a cat-person.
But in 2002 she decided to adopt a cat and fell in love with her fur baby, Pepe.
Pepe is 17-years-old and the love of Tonya’s life!
Shannon never thought she would be a fur baby-mama because she didn’t grow up with many pets.
After she graduated college, Shannon started dating a guy who had to put down his childhood cat he had for 18 years.
Shannon’s next boyfriend also had cats and she bonded with them fairly quickly.
She now has a cat of her own - Spumoni.
Shannon says a lot of money shit comes with owning a pet and asks if that was a factor for any of the Happy Hour ladies.
Research and planning is crucial before welcoming a pet into your life.
Be self-aware of your limitations and what you can physically and financially provide for the pet.
Melanie didn’t have pets while she had student loan debt because she new she couldn’t provide the best life for one at during that time.
Now, after having kittens, she truly realizes how much it actually costs to have and love pets.
She thinks people should generally wait to welcome a pet into their life until after paying off debt.
There are so many different costs associated with having a pet:
Medical expenses
Food
Grooming
Higher rent for pet-friendly living
Tonya says over the course of Pepe’s life so far she has probably spent at least $6,000 or $7,000.
Recently, she has made some costly purchase regarding Pepe and his health.
She says she signed up for that and it breaks her heart when people abandon their pets once they reach a certain age.
Don’t let money be the deciding factor for making a decision regarding your pet’s life – plan for your pet!
Most people don’t think about the choices you have to make regarding pets and the financial implications of those choices.
Shannon asks the ladies what they spend per month on their pets.
Frugalwoods says they have a Costco membership just for Frugal Hound’s food and they purchase the medicine she needs online.
Shannon’s free cat, Spumoni, has to be groomed regularly and those costs really add up!
Melanie brings up the added cost of replacing an item after a pet destroys something.
If you don't have at least an extra $150 in your monthly budget, pet parenthood might not be right for you just yet.
If you already have a pet, find a way to save money in your budget each month to plan for their expenses!
TAKEAWAY: Nothing can replace the love you have or will have for a pet, but you can be prepared for that love financially. If you’re going to love a pet, please make sure you’re financially prepared for how much that love could cost!
The Happy Hour Pets