How Do You Afford Your Dog/s

[lilypily]

This won't apply to everyone. Just wondering how other low income earners/non workers manage there dogs and associated costs?

I'm not allowed to work, for medical reasons. My dog is 11yrs old, so obviously things were very different back when I got her as a puppy. I was a vet nurse and it was awesome, everything was super cheap. When I changed careers still not a worry with a good income.

Now things are very different for me, with a limited amount of money and a strict budget. My dog is like a child to me, so still gets the best of everything. She has ongoing health issues now and I have officially stopped counting the vet fees at $2,500. For me this a HUGE amount of money. I will always spend what I have to, that's just how it is.

I am so broke it's ridiculous. The bills are piling up (i'm pretty sure this week i'll recieve the final notice for electricity dissconnection) christmas is coming. I'v cut down my groceries to save some money. I hate being behind in bills, social life? Forget it.

I'v actually had several people say to me 'is the dog worth it'. My answer is 'hell yes'.

Now i'v had my whinge :laugh: Are there others out there who do it tough in other areas of there lives in order to pay for there dogs?

Also is pet insurance worth it? (Not for now obviously) but if pet insurance isn't worthwhile I think i'll have to seriously consider in the future, not getting another dog That thought tears me apart, i'v never not had a dog in my entire life. But being realistic if you don't have the money for if/when things go wrong healthwise and a supply of continual money for ongoing conditions, then it's unfair on the dog.

It kinda feels like you have to be rich these days to have a pet.

[Dame Aussie]

I imagine there are a lot of people in similar situations LP, when I was working at a pound the most common reason for surrenders was either not being able to afford the dog due to a change in curcumstances or not having anywhere where they could live with the dog as they were renting or in government housing

It really sucks I would also be devastated if I couldn't have a dog but you are right in that you need to make the most responsible decision for the dog.

I think a big part of the issue is living costs just keep rising and rising so you just get no relief.

[Guest Ams]

My income has halved this year (I am on workcover atm) so I do get where you are at. Are you able to grow your own veggies? Are their other friends in similar circumstances who would go into a co-op style shopping agreement? It is always cheaper to buy meat, etc in bulk. Whilst you are not allowed to work, are you able to volunteer somewhere like a vet or pet shop that may then be able to provide you with a discount on your necessary items rather than having to pay full price. Do you have a talent in making something either arty or practical that you could sell as a "hobby"?

Perhaps ring the electricity people and let them know you are struggling. They may be able to organise a payment plan. Make sure not to agree to a plan you know you won't be able to pay as they become unsympathetic at that point.

Are their any co-ops in your area that provide cheap staple groceries such as fruit / veg / bread, etc?

If you get a new puppy and you know your breed of choice is either very long lived or likely to have a lot of health issues then yes, pet insurance can well be worth it.

[julesluvscavs]

It does get hard, but somehow you manage it, even if you have to make sacrifices, which we often do.

I don't work anymore because of medical reasons as well, and no one would hire me these days anyway I don't think. My husband does not get a really good wage at his job but we do try to put a small amount away each week when he gets paid towards vet bills. Which does come in handy when you need it ! I also get a little bit coming in with as im on a part disability pension, and thats only because my husband's wage is under the cut off point. It does help a bit, but then i have specialist appts etc to fork out quite often too.

We do also have a credit card for emergencies.

My husband has been lucky this year that he has had use of a company car, but its up for sale atm, so he will have to go back to using his own car/fuel etc when it gets sold. The fact that we saved a bit there made up for his wages not being so great .

We hardly go out, we don't drink or smoke.. we have a manageable mortgage as our house is just very small 2 bedroom one (nothing flashy)

We live a very simple lifestyle but having our pets means everything to us in so many ways , and we just make it work. This year has cost us a small fortune with vet bills for Joey and Renae.. We are lucky the vets have let us work something out with us, if the bills have been really high.

Edited November 1, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs

[julesluvscavs]

My income has halved this year (I am on workcover atm) so I do get where you are at. Are you able to grow your own veggies? Are their other friends in similar circumstances who would go into a co-op style shopping agreement? It is always cheaper to buy meat, etc in bulk. Whilst you are not allowed to work, are you able to volunteer somewhere like a vet or pet shop that may then be able to provide you with a discount on your necessary items rather than having to pay full price. Do you have a talent in making something either arty or practical that you could sell as a "hobby"?

Perhaps ring the electricity people and let them know you are struggling. They may be able to organise a payment plan. Make sure not to agree to a plan you know you won't be able to pay as they become unsympathetic at that point.

Are their any co-ops in your area that provide cheap staple groceries such as fruit / veg / bread, etc?

Good advice :)

[Alibi]

I have pet insurance plus she is tiny so she is cheap to feed, she gets the smallest in everything so that makes buying heartworm meds, toys, beds, crates, collars etc, heaps cheaper than a big dog.

[Marion 01]

Lilypilly, I take it you are on a single pension. OH and I are pensioners, mine is aged pension and his is disability pension until he turns 65 next year. We live from pension to pension have nothing in the bank to fall back on, we used to have 17 dogs until 2010, now we are at 7. We have a vet bill of $2600 at the moment, and a really good vet who lets us pay it off. We buy nice chicken mince from leonards for the dogs, at $2.00 per kg, cheaper sometimes, we go through 1 kg per day plus dry food, which is Purina One for seniors and adult for the two younger ones. We have nothing worth stealing in our house as we have always put the dogs first, no matter what. We also have 3 credit cards to pay off which is our biggest problem, plus normal monthly bills. We pay our car rego in 6 monthly payments instead of the full year. We own our house which is a huge plus, and our rates are rural and not quite $300 per half year and we also get a pension discount for that. Our medications are on the national health scheme, if we had to pay full price for them we could not afford it. We are both on multiple meds. We don't drink or smoke, couldn't afford to if we did anyway. Christmas is like any other time of year for us, Santa hasn't visited for at least 10 years or more. Have you tried going into centrelink to get help. Wish I could help you in some way.

[lilypily]

It's hard to when people don't get it and say things like 'you're crazy, I wouldn't pay that, it's time to pts'. Ummm no it's not time to pts. With medical care she is living a very happy life. It's just the relentless cost of vet care Everyone who knows me knows Lil comes first. (Even my kids have the odd whinge about 'you love Lil more than me' :laugh: )

You know things aren't good when your weekly meal plan consists of toasties and things like scrambled eggs.

I just take pet ownership seriously and whatever needs to be spent at the vets gets spent. It does stress me out thinking of the future and the ability to have another dog (no new dog here until Lil passes away, she gets jealous)

I'v rang the elec company and all good, i'm now on a payment plan - will have to do the same with the gas company.

I don't know of any co ops in my area, but certainly can look into it. I don't have a crafty bone in my body

I could have another go at a vegie patch. My last attempt was a disaster :laugh:

I don't want this to be a whinge thread about me. I'll get there :) I just think it's terribly sad when plenty of people have all the time and love and do everything right by their dog and it just comes down to the almighty dollar.

[Remarkabull]

When times are bad the kids and the dogs are looked after first, then hubby and I. In saying that we rarely go without creature comforts. We do live week to week but we have a decent combined income and we spend lots on non essentials so it's not due to low/lack of income. We don't smoke, rarely drink or go out but we spend a bit on technology related items and we have 2 car loans, rent, caravan loan and credit card debt :/

I suppose I don't worry too much about a major vet bill as we have a flawless credit rating and could get a loan or ask our parents for a loan if desperate.

[Staffyluv]

I am on limited income (due to clients not paying in a reasonable time).

I have taken to growing food, eating stuff that is only in season (because it is cheaper) and making things stretch.. I grow my own lettuce, tomatoes (when they come on, strawberries, rocket, herbs, capsicum, pumpkin, cucumber and peas).. I will be adding more as time goes on.

I just got some baby chickens for free off a friend - it will be a while before they are laying but you could always get some from the people that save battery hens, who are still laying (just not laying enough for commercial purposes, so they get rid of them). Free eggs for some pellets and kitchen scraps is a good trade off for chickens.

Making pizza night at home - we make pizza on pita bread or on the stove top (chefs toolbox have an awesome recipe for stove top pizza).

Most of the one pot dishes I make can have a can of beans, lentils or chickpeas added to it the next night or before freezing for another time.

2 minute noodles never hurt anyone - we ate them at least once a week when we were saving for a house (young kids and all many years ago).

Make sweets at home for the kids, it is better for them anyway. Same with iceblocks, home made juice iceblocks are heaps better than the bought ones.

Cheap bacon in the dairy section goes a long way, when you make bacon and egg rolls for dinner on Friday nights.

Picnics for kids, home made sandwiches and a bottle of cheap fizzy, with some watermelon or fruit salad at the park, is a cheap way of getting out and about and not costing much.

Buying in bulk with friends in the same position is also a good idea. Buying bulk lots of toilet paper, washing powder etc.

Cleaning can be done just as well with bicarb soda and white vinegar, as with all the expensive cleaners.

If something that the whole family likes is on special, buy a bit more and have it a couple of times that week.

We got little cocktail avocados on special last week ($2.50 for 6) - so we have had avo on toast, avo in salads etc all week.

[~Anne~]

It's really easy to let money worries turn into major stress too LP. Been there, done that and laid awake at nights thinking "how the hell do I make this work!" and dreaming of some fantastic instant riches scenario myself.

The trick is to not let it overwhelm you. Practical steps, one at a time. Just like at any other time of your life and you and I have had many discussions about that.

If you can, I'd suggest applying for a small credit card or personal loan so you can be ready for future costs for Lil. Limit the card. Maybe $2k max. Put every regular bill you have on a fortnight plan. For those who don't offer this, do it yourself as a regular fortnightly Bpay or transfer the money into an account for bills only. Set the debits to occur on your account the day after your pension comes in.

To work out your fortnightly debit amounts just look at your last bill, calculate it to a 12 month amount (ie monthly bill x 12) and then divide that by 26. Always aim to debit a few dollars more, not less obviously.

If every regular bill is set to automatically come out of your account each time your payment goes in, then you know that the remainder is able to be spent. You then adjust your living to that amount.

I still have my money organised like this to this day even though I could probably relax a little these days.

Edited November 1, 2013 by ~Anne~

[keasarge]

Money is a bit of an issue we went from both of us working excellent jobs with heaps of disposable income to me medically retiring and earning very little they still get the best care but I have certainly had to cut down on the toys lol my hubby isnt a dog fan and dosnt understand sacrificing stuff for the dogs... (I have however soften him up to allow the ood one to sleep on the bed ;p) to him supermarket dog food is fine...

[CHA]

I don't know how any one can live on centrelink benefits! I take my hat off to all of you that do. You are doing a wonderful job to keep your dog healthy and I applaud you for that. I also would never skimp on medical treatment if they needed it and totally understand that the dog comes first. I'm going through an expensive time with my old dog at the moment and it does really hit the bank balance (or lack of!)

[lilypily]

Lilypilly, I take it you are on a single pension. OH and I are pensioners, mine is aged pension and his is disability pension until he turns 65 next year. We live from pension to pension have nothing in the bank to fall back on, we used to have 17 dogs until 2010, now we are at 7. We have a vet bill of $2600 at the moment, and a really good vet who lets us pay it off. We buy nice chicken mince from leonards for the dogs, at $2.00 per kg, cheaper sometimes, we go through 1 kg per day plus dry food, which is Purina One for seniors and adult for the two younger ones. We have nothing worth stealing in our house as we have always put the dogs first, no matter what. We also have 3 credit cards to pay off which is our biggest problem, plus normal monthly bills. We pay our car rego in 6 monthly payments instead of the full year. We own our house which is a huge plus, and our rates are rural and not quite $300 per half year and we also get a pension discount for that. Our medications are on the national health scheme, if we had to pay full price for them we could not afford it. We are both on multiple meds. We don't drink or smoke, couldn't afford to if we did anyway. Christmas is like any other time of year for us, Santa hasn't visited for at least 10 years or more. Have you tried going into centrelink to get help. Wish I could help you in some way.

Yeah disability pension and yes I live pension to pension too. My vets not so nice re: giving accounts (despite the fact i'v been a client for 17yrs and have never not payed on time - but the manager has taken a liking to me and she gives me accounts) . I will definitely look at chicken mince.

I'm lucky that my children understand that this christmas will be a bit quieter than previous years. They love Lil just as much as me.

Also wow 7 dogs. I feel bad for saying i'm having financial trouble with just one.

[lilypily]

When times are bad the kids and the dogs are looked after first,

Yep my kids and pets get everthing they need. I recently had my hair done. It was a present and I wanted to spend the money on a bill, but the gifter insisted I spend something on myself for a change, still felt guilty though.

[lilypily]

It's really easy to let money worries turn into major stress too LP. Been there, done that and laid awake at nights thinking "how the hell do I make this work!" and dreaming of some fantastic instant riches scenario myself.

The trick is to not let it overwhelm you. Practical steps, one at a time. Just like at any other time of your life and you and I have had many discussions about that.

If you can, I'd suggest applying for a small credit card or personal loan so you can be ready for future costs for Lil. Limit the card. Maybe $2k max. Put every regular bill you have on a fortnight plan. For those who don't offer this, do it yourself as a regular fortnightly Bpay or transfer the money into an account for bills only. Set the debits to occur on your account the day after your pension comes in.

To work out your fortnightly debit amounts just look at your last bill, calculate it to a 12 month amount (ie monthly bill x 12) and then divide that by 26. Always aim to debit a few dollars more, not less obviously.

If every regular bill is set to automatically come out of your account each time your payment goes in, then you know that the remainder is able to be spent. You then adjust your living to that amount.

I still have my money organised like this to this day even though I could probably relax a little these days.

Yes I have got stressed over this. I have everything budgeted and it works really well. To be late paying a bill is just not me. It's life and major unexpected bills should be expected.

I was just thinking, hey I can't be the only one who has to 'do it tough' at times due to ridiculously high vet billsl.

[Podengo]

I've really been struggling the last few months, though just started a new job this week so looking forward to having some cash! I pay my essentials (rent, transport) then pretty much everything else goes towards dog expenses... Food, shows, insurance... I will miss topping up my cellphone for a week or two sometimes if I am really strapped, and I don't buy food or drinks for myself when I am out, would rather go hungry.

[GeckoTree]

Budget for dog costs, pen and paper, needs and wants, total the amounts. If the total exceeds your income budgets then you live in debt. There is no rainbow if that happens, you either make sacrifices elsewhere or the dog gets sacrificed for another.

Edited November 1, 2013 by DaffyDuck

[Guest Maeby Fünke]

I'm not earning as much as I used to but I've always been very organised with my money and it's never been a problem for me.

I don't have kids though.

Edited November 1, 2013 by Maeby Fünke

[lilypily]

I cannot believe the big hearts of some Dol'ers. I'v had a few pm's offering me money and a care package. I politely declined all offers (pride and all that) but I am so so blown away by others generosity, and I hope I haven't offended anyone. You are all beautiful people!

I didn't start this thread as a 'woe is me'. It just made me think of others out there who make sacrifices to keep their dogs healthy. Sort of a 'what do you go without?'.