Smart Money Extra

Seven Ways Pets Can Save You Money

March 7th, 2006

1. A dog can save you a bundle on therapy. I don’t mean this as a joke. It is easy to get depressed when you live alone. A dog (or any pet) can keep you from getting lonely. I’m sure a dog does not cost as much as therapy would.

2. A pet can save on health care costs. There have been many studies done on how pets are good for your health. They reduce stress levels, provide exercise and companionship, etc. I don’t remember the exact sources, but I have seen many articles like this.

3. A dog can save you money on health club memberships. Walking a dog can be great exercise. You can use your dog as your “personal trainer” — your dog will make sure you get out in any kind of weather, every day. You won’t need to join an expensive health club to stay fit.

4. What would you be spending money on if you didn’t have a pet? If you didn’t have to come home every night to let out your dog, would you stop at the bar instead and spend a fortune on drinks? Would you be lonely and have to join a bunch of expensive dating clubs if you did not have your pets for companionship? Would you have some other expensive hobby to pass the time if you didn’t have a pet?

5. If you did not have pets, you might be tempted to buy expensive furniture. If you have pets, you know your furniture will be covered in pet hair and have chew marks on the corners. So you probably will buy something cheap or get your furniture second-hand, knowing it will be ruined anyway. You will not be tempted by the expensive designer stuff.

6. If you have pets, you might not go out as much. After I have been at work all day, I feel guilty if I leave my dogs alone in the evening too. I have probably saved a fortune on movies, eating out, etc. because I wanted to be home with my dogs. You might also save money on expensive vacations because you don’t want to leave your pets.

7. Pets make you happy. And what price can you put on happiness? Maybe you would be spending money on all kinds of nonsense to try and find happiness, if you didn’t already have it at home with your pets.

Here is the article from Free Money Finance.

Entry Filed under: Money, Saving Money, Personal Finance, Wealth