Is Your Pet in Your Spending Plan?

I am unabashedly a pet lover. We currently have 3 dogs, a cat and fish. We have had in the past: hamsters; guinea pigs; pet rats (don't ask); bunnies; a lizard; multiple fish; hermit crabs and a beloved first dog. While I truly value the "invaluable" impact these animals have had on our lives, it took me a long time to realize how much they cost and to plan for those dollars. Not including pet costs in your Spending Plan will derail the plan quickly. Take a look at how much pet cages, food, accessories, toys and vet bills have cost you in the past.  Then add the line item in your Spending Plan for pets. It wouldn't hurt to add another $20 to it and save that money up for emergency vet bills--which are not an "if" but a "when". Then see if there are any cost savings measures you can take. I make my own dog treats and get flea/tick med's from Costco. I encourage responsible pet ownership which includes ensuring you have the money needed for it (along with the time and patience!)

Homemade Dog Treats: Combine 1 1/4 cup of grated Cheddar cheese, 1/4 lb of softened butter, 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, and 1 crushed clove of garlic until well mixed. Add mile to form to dough into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. On a floured board, roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut using cookie cutters into whatever shape you like and bake in ungreased pan at 375 for 15 minutes. Keep refrigerated after cooking. (recipe adapted from Family Fun magazine)

How an Email Can Save You

No one really wants more emails to read through--but here's one that could protect your home and possibly your life. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is the government agency in charge of investigating the safety of thousands of consumer products and protecting us from products that could be a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical risk. According to the CPSC:

 "The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years."

You can easily sign up for their email alerts on recalled products at www.cpsc.gov. There are typically 1-2 emails a week. You can quickly glance at the item being recalled and delete it if you don't have that item. If however, you have a recalled item in your house, which could cause a fire or injury, you now have the knowledge you need to avoid that risk.  For example, a recent recall involved a folding step stool where at least one person broke a leg when the stool broke. Don't be a victim of a preventable injury--sign up for the email and protect your family and home.