How to Handle Pets When You Can’t Afford Them Any More
Hey, look, today I’m going to wade into something that’s bound to get hundreds of angry comments!
Yesterday, I read an article over at Get Rich Slowly where J.D. wrote the following (with my own emphasis added):
“Thanks for finding that place,” Michael told me as he took a bite of mashed potatoes and gravy. “But we’ve decided to rent someplace else. We found a place in Rock Creek for $1300 a month.”
“Wow,” I said. “That seems like a lot.”
“Not really,” he said. “That’s pretty good for similar places in Portland. Plus, it gives us space for our two dogs.”
I sighed inside. Sure, that may be a good price compared to similar houses, but I know there are tons of places to live in Portland for less than $1300 a month — if Michael and his wife are willing to make some sacrifices. I wanted to pursue this line of questioning — What about getting rid of the dogs? Why not look at the $500/month place I found? — but I let it go. You can only argue with your friends so much, right? We moved on to other topics.
This is an issue that comes up over and over again whenever pets are mentioned in a personal finance context. What do you do with a pet when you’re in a financial or personal situation that makes caring for them incredibly difficult or impossible?
It’s not an easy thing to think about for many pet owners. My experience with pets in the past has been very, very bittersweet, so I think I’ll relate my own experience with pets so you’ll have some idea where I’m coming from.
I have had two dogs in my life that I dearly loved. When I was four years old, my parents got a Lhasa Apso / poodle mix as a puppy. I immediately fell in love and insisted that we name the dog “Lolly” (short for Lollipop). Over the years, Lolly was a constant family companion – and I think my dad loved that dog more than even I did. One of her favorite things to do was to walk along the side of the gravel road by our house, past three other houses, and visit my aunt and uncle’s house, and they would often feed her, too. One of our neighbors used to complain constantly about her presence, threatening us and the dog repeatedly. One day, he left a tray of antifreeze alongside the road by his house – and Lolly drank it. She came home with antifreeze still in the fur around her mouth, became very ill, and died two days later in a very miserable way.
To replace Lolly, when I was about fourteen, my parents bought a rat terrier that we named Patch. I was incredibly attached to Patch and I spent most of a summer bonding with him and training him to do various tricks. We would stand out in the yard and play fetch together for hours. He also loved to go to the river and run into the water chasing sticks, bringing them back for me to throw again. He slept on my bed most nights. One day, while I was gone, my older brother ran over Patch with his truck, and I never got to say goodbye to him – he was buried before I returned home.
I know the feeling of bonding with a pet. I know the strong desire to protect a pet. And I know the sense of loss that people can feel when they lose one. It hurts.
So, what does a pet owner do when they find that they’re not emotionally, physically, or financially capable of properly caring for a pet?
The first step that should be taken is to ask yourself whether or not there are changes you could make in your life to allow that pet-human bond to continue. If you can’t afford dog food but you can afford cable television and a cell phone, spend some serious time thinking about your priorities. I can’t answer the question of which is more important to you, but keep in mind that pet ownership is a responsibility in which you’ve agreed to care for a living, thinking being.
This is a very personal decision. Some people simply have difficulty emotionally bonding with a pet – and that situation is difficult for both pet and owner. Some people, after going through a personal crisis or other deep change, find that their new situation makes the pet-human relationship very difficult. A job loss. A disability. A death. A new household member with an allergy. These things happen and they damage the pet-human relationship.
An example: my father is incredibly allergic to cats. Because of this, it made it impossible for him to visit us for years when we had two cats, which caused some serious strain on our relationship (as you can imagine, he did want to visit his grandchildren). Eventually, after searching, we found great alternative homes for our two cats. Our cats have safe, secure places to live and my father can visit his son and his grandchildren – it’s a win for everyone.
If you can’t make available the financial and personal resources that a pet requires, you should actively seek an appropriate home for your pet. Start by asking around your own social network, and also ask at your vet’s office. If that doesn’t work, put a Craigslist posting up about your pet (with pictures), describing the pet in as much detail as you can. Specify who you would like to own the pet. Would this be a good pet for a family? For an elderly person? For a cat lover? Explain that you really need to find a good home for this pet because of changing conditions in your life. You’ll be surprised how often this finds a good match – many potential pet owners just need the impetus of a good story in front of them to push them over the line to pet ownership. Deliver the pet yourself and make sure the home is a healthy one. Just look for obvious red flags like an abundance of caged pets (indicating the person may be a “buncher” who collects pets to sell). The Humane Society offers a great article on finding a new owner for your pet.
If this option fails, try PetFinder.com. You can list your pet there as a classified, which is perhaps the best place to start. If this doesn’t work, then you can also work with a listed animal shelter on PetFinder to help you find a good home for your pet. Try to stick with shelters that have good reviews on PetFinder – in other words, seek a very reputable shelter that takes an active role in finding good homes for their pets. Again, when you take your dog there, look for red flags. If it looks shady and smells awful, they’re probably not actively invested in finding homes for their pets.
Yes, this all takes a lot of time. But it does take a lot of time to find a good home for a pet. That’s why animal shelters often have pets for long periods of time – it’s not easy to find people that are capable of caring for a pet and want to have one, too.
If you own a pet, part of your responsibility is to make sure that the pet has a good home if you can no longer be the owner. That takes work and time, but it’s part of the responsiblity you take on when you acquire a pet. It’s not expensive, it just needs effort and patience.
As for me, I’m not emotionally ready quite yet to have a dog because of those past experiences (and cats are impossible due to allergies, as mentioned above). In the future, I’m not opposed to having one, particularly when we live in the country and the pet has a lot of outdoor freedom. When we do make that choice, we’ll be using Craigslist and PetFinder and other such resources – we won’t be involved in bringing a new pet into the world when there are so many great ones already out there who need a home.
Continue reading How to Handle Pets When You Can’t Afford Them Any More …
From The Simple Dollar.
Convenience foods: I wish I could quit you
photo by house of sims
Frugal people cook from scratch frequently. But there are some recipes they’re not willing to make themselves regularly. If you have time constraints or don’t have health restrictions, then there’s increased value placed on ready-made and convenience foods. Homemade isn’t always cheaper, but it’s a surefire way to control ingredients, so it can be healthier. Take into consideration the number of people in your household, whether you have a well-stocked pantry and your cooking skills when making your cost-calculation comparisons.
What convenience products do you buy even when on a tight budget?
Here are a few common ready-made products that are the hardest to let go. But keep in mind that their homemade counterparts can be found on my forums (www.frugalvillage.com/forums) if you’re looking to make some changes.
SPAGHETTI SAUCE: You can make it with canned and/or fresh vegetables, but it can be hard to beat jar sauce when it’s on sale. It doesn’t taste as good as homemade, but when you’re faced with a busy schedule, jar sauce is a pantry staple in many frugal kitchens.
SEASONING PACKETS: These are relatively cheap and make cooking dishes such as chili, stew, tacos, sauces and gravy or fajitas a quick and easy task.
CAKE AND BROWNIE MIX: Box mixes are one of the top convenience foods that frugal people still buy. Often, they haven’t found a cake or brownie recipe they prefer. There are coupons available so often that not many people want to pay more money and spend more time making homemade. And most people without a baking background opt for ready-made frosting tubs, too.
TOMATO SOUP: Homemade soups such as chicken noodle or vegetable and even cream soups are preferred over canned, but making a good tomato soup at home can be a challenge. Rather than experiment with multiple recipes and inevitably comparing it to canned, it’s simpler to just buy the canned tomato soup and be done with it.
MACARONI AND CHEESE: Homemade macaroni and cheese and boxed are worlds apart in taste, yet the price and convenience of boxed makes it tough to refuse. Homemade macaroni and cheese is a favorite comfort food, but boxed continues to get prime shelf space in frugal kitchens. This is especially true in households with kids.
SALAD DRESSING: Homemade dressing is easy to mix up yourself, but when you’re used to prepared salad dressings, it can be hard to replace it with homemade without resistance from family members. But when spending time on making a quality salad, homemade dressing is the only way to go.
RICE AND NOODLE MIXES: It’s hard to believe that flavored pouches and boxes can be preferred over homemade considering taste and cost. Often, it’s the portion size and variety that makes this the winner.
CHICKEN NUGGETS: Fast food and frozen nuggets are far less work. They’re not nearly as tasty as homemade, but we’re conditioned to love those little premade hockey pucks.
TORTILLAS: Tortilla presses have made the task of making tortillas much easier, but most people, frugal or not, will still pick up a bag of premade tortillas. They’re cheap and easy.
STUFFING AND BREADCRUMBS: Preseasoned packaged cubes and crumbs are quicker to make and bake. Homemade is a great way to use leftover bread, but many people don’t want to bother with the time and effort it takes.
Continue reading Convenience foods: I wish I could quit you …
From Frugal Village.
Convenience foods: I wish I could quit you
photo by house of sims
Frugal people cook from scratch frequently. But there are some recipes they’re not willing to make themselves regularly. If you have time constraints or don’t have health restrictions, then there’s increased value placed on ready-made and convenience foods. Homemade isn’t always cheaper, but it’s a surefire way to control ingredients, so it can be healthier. Take into consideration the number of people in your household, whether you have a well-stocked pantry and your cooking skills when making your cost-calculation comparisons.
What convenience products do you buy even when on a tight budget?
Here are a few common ready-made products that are the hardest to let go. But keep in mind that their homemade counterparts can be found on my forums (www.frugalvillage.com/forums) if you’re looking to make some changes.
SPAGHETTI SAUCE: You can make it with canned and/or fresh vegetables, but it can be hard to beat jar sauce when it’s on sale. It doesn’t taste as good as homemade, but when you’re faced with a busy schedule, jar sauce is a pantry staple in many frugal kitchens.
SEASONING PACKETS: These are relatively cheap and make cooking dishes such as chili, stew, tacos, sauces and gravy or fajitas a quick and easy task.
CAKE AND BROWNIE MIX: Box mixes are one of the top convenience foods that frugal people still buy. Often, they haven’t found a cake or brownie recipe they prefer. There are coupons available so often that not many people want to pay more money and spend more time making homemade. And most people without a baking background opt for ready-made frosting tubs, too.
TOMATO SOUP: Homemade soups such as chicken noodle or vegetable and even cream soups are preferred over canned, but making a good tomato soup at home can be a challenge. Rather than experiment with multiple recipes and inevitably comparing it to canned, it’s simpler to just buy the canned tomato soup and be done with it.
MACARONI AND CHEESE: Homemade macaroni and cheese and boxed are worlds apart in taste, yet the price and convenience of boxed makes it tough to refuse. Homemade macaroni and cheese is a favorite comfort food, but boxed continues to get prime shelf space in frugal kitchens. This is especially true in households with kids.
SALAD DRESSING: Homemade dressing is easy to mix up yourself, but when you’re used to prepared salad dressings, it can be hard to replace it with homemade without resistance from family members. But when spending time on making a quality salad, homemade dressing is the only way to go.
RICE AND NOODLE MIXES: It’s hard to believe that flavored pouches and boxes can be preferred over homemade considering taste and cost. Often, it’s the portion size and variety that makes this the winner.
CHICKEN NUGGETS: Fast food and frozen nuggets are far less work. They’re not nearly as tasty as homemade, but we’re conditioned to love those little premade hockey pucks.
TORTILLAS: Tortilla presses have made the task of making tortillas much easier, but most people, frugal or not, will still pick up a bag of premade tortillas. They’re cheap and easy.
STUFFING AND BREADCRUMBS: Preseasoned packaged cubes and crumbs are quicker to make and bake. Homemade is a great way to use leftover bread, but many people don’t want to bother with the time and effort it takes.
Continue reading Convenience foods: I wish I could quit you …
From Frugal Village.
Olive Oil Tip~Guest Blogger Lisa
I try to buy in bulk at all times—that can make for some pretty BIG sized packages and containers to lug around the kitchen. As I was pouring some Olive Oil out of the 55 gallon drum container (okay maybe it was only a few gallons) and OVERpoured, again, had a lightbulb moment . . .
I grabbed an adorable little gravy pitcher (that does not get enough use to justify its home here, but hey… it was from a set of china my Dad gave me…hence it’s still here) and poured it almost to the top with Olive Oil, and set it off to the side of the stove. Now I have it handy for pouring a bit of Olive Oil in the cast iron, adding a bit to a recipe, greasing a dish/pan, or my hands for kneading bread & my counter top without lugging out that 55 gallon drum (I mean large bottle of oil) everytime!
Just a little tip from our homestead kitchen to yours….
Lisa
Marc, Lisa & The Whole Tribe!
www.HomesteadOriginals.com
Continue reading Olive Oil Tip~Guest Blogger Lisa …
From Econobusters.
Olive Oil Tip~Guest Blogger Lisa
I try to buy in bulk at all times—that can make for some pretty BIG sized packages and containers to lug around the kitchen. As I was pouring some Olive Oil out of the 55 gallon drum container (okay maybe it was only a few gallons) and OVERpoured, again, had a lightbulb moment . . .
I grabbed an adorable little gravy pitcher (that does not get enough use to justify its home here, but hey… it was from a set of china my Dad gave me…hence it’s still here) and poured it almost to the top with Olive Oil, and set it off to the side of the stove. Now I have it handy for pouring a bit of Olive Oil in the cast iron, adding a bit to a recipe, greasing a dish/pan, or my hands for kneading bread & my counter top without lugging out that 55 gallon drum (I mean large bottle of oil) everytime!
Just a little tip from our homestead kitchen to yours….
Lisa
Marc, Lisa & The Whole Tribe!
www.HomesteadOriginals.com
Continue reading Olive Oil Tip~Guest Blogger Lisa …
From Econobusters.
Roast Chicken
From: Roxie
Your roast chicken sounds very good. I will tell
you how I roast mine. I take a whole onion cut
into pieces a few bits of celery (if I have any)
and stuff this into the bird’s cavity. I also add
a bit of salt and pepper inside. On the out side
I use olive oil (but butter or corn oil work)
more salt and pepper and cook on a rack in a deep
pan. The juice and onion bits from the bird make
a great gravy.
Continue reading Roast Chicken …
From Living On A Dime Blog » Living On A Dime Blog.
More Turkey Talk
I happen to think of a couple of things today that might help you not only for Thanksgiving but any on the other holidays too.
First if you haven’t already done it clean out your fridge today. It really should be done before you go buy everything for your dinner but if you didn’t, do it now. There is nothing more frustrating then to have a houseful of company and you are trying to stuff leftovers into an already full fridge so clean it now and if you can leave a certain shelf for the things you are going to store before and after Thanksgiving dinner.
Next I don’t think there is anything more dismal looking then a picked over turkey carcass. I am usually so tired from making the meal, being hostess and cleaning up that having to face the turkey carcass can almost put me over the edge.
What I finally learned to do is not to do anything with it on Thanksgiving day. Then the day after we pick on it all day long making sandwiches etc. I then pick the last of the big chunks off . I usually cook my turkey all wrapped in foil or in a disposable pan so I just wrap the foil around it or gently shape the pan around it. Stick it all in a couple of plastic bags, pop it in the freezer and forget it for a couple of weeks or until Jan. when I bring it out and toss the carcass in a large pot for soup. That is when it gets it’s final picking over.
Cooking Boo Boos:
If you didn’t cook your turkey with our recipe it may come out too dry. Don’t panic. Just slice it. Lay it on a platter and pour gravy over it then serve.
If your stuffing is too dry; once again add some turkey broth to it or gravy.
If a side dish burns and sticks to the bottom; just careful pour it out of the pot being sure not to scrape the bottom of the pan or any of the food stuck to it. You can maybe save quite a bit this way.
If your dinner rolls burn; carefully slice off the bottoms. If they all have the bottoms gone people will think that is just the way they are suppose to be.
The crust on your pumpkin pie doesn’t turn out; scrape out the filling and place it in a nice serving dish, cover with lots of whipped topping, sprinkled with a little cinnamon and call it Pumpkin custard.
If any of you have tips on how to fix Thanksgiving cooking boo boos for our beginning cooks and eve some of us old timers feel free to post. You may be the one to save someone’s Thanksgiving. : )
Jill
Continue reading More Turkey Talk …
From Living On A Dime Blog » Living On A Dime Blog.
Day 2~Last Minute Thanksgiving Preparations
This is it folks! The final few days to get your preparations complete before the big turkey day! Are you ready? Here are some great tips for you for the final days of Thanksgiving.
November 25: The Day Before
• Check your last list.
• Buy last-minute perishables.
• Pick up food ordered ahead of time.
• If using giblets in the gravy, simmer them with the neck until well cooked; cool and
refrigerate.
• Consult your food preparation schedule.
• If brining the turkey, prepare brine and soak turkey in refrigerator overnight. (If you don’t have room in your refrigerator, use a cooler and a bag of ice. Works just the same!)
• Bake pies or other desserts.
• Set the table and lay out all linens and serving dishes.
November 26: The Big Day
• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Wash turkey inside and out; dry thoroughly. Do not let it set at room temperature
for more than one hour before cooking.
• If stuffing the turkey, do so just before putting it in the oven. (Check to make sure
you removed the giblets!) Place the turkey in the oven and start your timer. Put
any remaining stuffing in a buttered casserole or baking dish; cover and
refrigerate.
• Consult your food preparation schedule. Cook any recipes that can be done
completely or partially ahead, such as potatoes (mash when ready to serve, not
beforehand) and other vegetables that can be reheated for serving.
• Put the extra stuffing in the oven during the turkey’s last hour of cooking.
• Prepare any other foods that need last-minute attention.
• When the turkey reaches 180°F, remove it from the oven, let it rest and get ready
for the most hectic 20 minutes of a cook’s year!
I hope that our Thanksgiving countdown has been a blessing to you! On Wednesday, we will share some of the great Black Friday deals going around. I *think* we might just have a great deal for you as well!
Continue reading Day 2~Last Minute Thanksgiving Preparations …
From Econobusters.
Kitchen Q&A: Is It Ok To Reuse Cooking Oil? (And More)
This week’s Kitchen Q & A tackles questions on reusing cooking oil, if there’s a difference between white and brown eggs, testing the temperature in your oven (and refrigerator), how to darken gravy and more!
Kitchen Q&A: Is It Ok To Reuse Cooking Oil? (And More)
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Is it ok to reuse cooking oil after deep frying? Deep [...]
- Also See These Tips:
- Darken Gravy Tricks & Gravy Enhancer Recipes
- Why a Cake Fails
- 25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom
Continue reading Kitchen Q&A: Is It Ok To Reuse Cooking Oil? (And More) …
From TipNut.com.
Holiday Meals Stretched To Fit Your Budget – Frugal Challenge
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I seem to be focused on cooking. I’m gathering my favorite recipes and looking for some new ones that could become family favorites. One of the challenges for many families, especially this year, is creating a feast on a limited budget. Even though turkey prices are usually reasonable, like most families, I’m looking at a variety of side dishes to round out the table and fill up our tummies.
Last week I talked about making dishes that are more creative for your guests who are vegetarian. If you’d like to read about serving beautiful meatless main dishes, click here.
The same theory applies to the side dishes served with a turkey as the centerpiece of your meal. Just because you’re looking for frugal dishes to make doesn’t mean those dishes have to be sparse looking or tasting.
What are some of the classic side dishes you enjoy at Thanksgiving time? If the famous Green Bean Casserole is on your menu, you’re in luck. There are many variations to this dish that will spruce it up a bit, making it more of a centerpiece in the meal. Add extra crunch with water chestnuts or almonds. Spice it up a little more with a dash of soy sauce. You could stretch this classic dish out a little further by adding flavored croutons to give it more of a casserole appearance and texture and less of a green bean side dish. Think of your Green Bean Casserole as more than a side dish – think of it as a guest of honor on your table.
Don’t forget to make extra stuffing when you stuff the bird. A bit of extra stuffing cooked in a casserole dish adds a lot more mileage to your feast. Kids especially will love filling up on this inexpensive side dish. Pass some more gravy and you’ve got another full plate, and full tummy!
And, what about those mashed potatoes? They’re yummy with just a bit of gravy, true, but you could turn them into a glorious creamy casserole instead. By whipping in some sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, half-and-half, some chives, or whatever else you can think of. Your once plain ol’ mashed potatoes are now ready for their close-up! These potatoes take center stage on any holiday table when topped off with a little butter and a sprinkle of paprika.
Serving dinner rolls to help stretch your food budget is smart, but putting cranberry muffins or pumpkin muffins on your table is even better. I know many people who will pass up a regular dinner roll but will help themselves to a couple flavorful muffins when they are passed around the table. Muffins are easy and inexpensive to make and will stretch your food budget without anyone noticing – or caring!
Pumpkin pie is a classic, but you really can’t stretch it very far. If your dinner guests are dessert fanatics, try a pumpkin cake in addition to your pumpkin pie. You can serve quite a few people with one cake, stretching that food budget even further.
When you plan your Thanksgiving or other holiday meal, keep in mind that you can stretch your budget by serving side dishes that are economical, but more importantly, that are a feast for the eye and the tummy! If your guests can’t resist helping themselves to more of your side dishes, you will accomplish what you set out to do – serve a glorious and plentiful meal at an affordable cost. And that’s something to be thankful for!
p.s. If you are looking for a recipe for a perfectly roasted turkey click here.
p.p.s. You may want to review a whole list of recipes to find even more side dishes to stretch your holiday food budget. Just click here for some tasty holiday recipes that could become your new family favorites.
Continue reading Holiday Meals Stretched To Fit Your Budget – Frugal Challenge …
From Hillbilly Housewife Blog.