Hey I'm seriously freaking out about what to do with my life and how i'm gonna be able to afford dogs and all that lame stuff. What'd you go to school for? If any other dogblr has any suggestions on how to manage too I would really love it.
i mean… i’m still in school. i work as a nanny and i budget the shit out of my life and STILL have extra to save on most weeks. that’s what it all comes down to: managing your money correctly and responsibly. i’d tell you what i make per year on average, to make you feel better but i’d feel judged.
and i’m currently majoring in anthropology so there aint going to be anyone poorer than me. so if i can do it, you can do it.
My only suggestion is to live well below your means. Budgetbudgetbudget. I’ll leave myself open to be judged: I made about 18k base wages (not including tips) last year working two jobs six and seven days a week living in one of the poorest counties in the state, and put less than a quarter of that into savings that I’m currently living on as I re calibrate my life (Google “fuck you money” and why it’s a good idea). Things that cut down on my costs of living: Having roommates. I have not paid more than $350 a month for rent and utilities since I moved out of the dorms in college. I also have a cheap phone and a prepaid phone plan that comes out to being only $45/month. Student loans now operate under a “pay as you earn” plan, and since I earned poverty wages, I didn’t owe anything last year, though my crippling interest is collecting. I have a fantastic credit score (speaking of, get a credit card and start building up your credit. Be smart about it.) and so I was approved for a good car loan and was able to sign up for the payment plan on my car that stretched it out over several years about brought my monthly payment down significantly (I’m aware that this does end up costing more money in the long run but I increased the amount I paid every month depending on the state of my income). My dog food bill is about $57 every six weeks for the cheapest bag of Acana (Chicken and Potato). I’ve been playing cat food roulette so I don’t actually know how much her food ends up being, but we can just assume that the cat food is about $25/month. Again, this is the higher end stuff, you can switch to something cheaper and be better for it. Cat litter is probably like, $8/month or something like that. I also elected to buy pet insurance for the dog in the event of an emergency because I knew I would not be able to afford vet bills without it. $350/year, paid for itself and then some over when he started limping. Flea and heartworm meds were cheaper for me because I worked at the clinic, so I think I got them at cost or close to it, but Allivet’s prices are very good. And then go on to factor in gas and food. Cook your own food, don’t fall into the fast food trap (I spent way too much money on fast food, and it adds up quickly). Coupons and discount food stores are fantastic places. I’ve never been on any assistance programs, so IDK how those work. I like nice things, but I don’t like paying full retail price for nice things if I can help it because I do not have a lot in the way of a disposable income. Craigslist is a great place to get stuff inexpensively, as well as Ryanspetsupplies, and Chewy. Thrift stores are also great places, especially if they’re supported by an animal shelter because a lot of people donate pet stuff. Not going to lie, it’s stressful. But you can make it work. You just have to set up your priorities and know how to access resources.
ayooo, since cynological took the plunge and posted how much they make per year: i’m looking at making a little less than 20k this year (about 5k less than last year). i pay ~$500 total in rent + utilities. i never go out… EVER. i only buy clothing at ross or marshalls (both are hella cheap and have quality shit). i make all my food and buy cheap ass groceries.
monty eats victor which is $44 for 40lbs. milo eats a zignature/acana (depends on how i am financially) which is around 28lbs for $50/70ish? milo’s food lasts me 6 weeks, monty’s lasts me 12 weeks. we get all our shots done at the mobile vet, and only go to the real vet for emergencies, and the yearly physical, blood test and physical.
before you get a dog SAVE MONEY IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES, even if you get the dog health insurance. and i’m not talking 500 bucks, i’m saying 2k at least. i cannot stress this enough. this is not only the responsible thing to do, but it will save your ass several times be it in an emergency or bc you don’t have enough money to eat that week. it doesn’t matter if you have to dip into it AFTER you get the dog as long as you don’t blow through it unnecessarily; this is something to fall back on bc financial hardships come around more often than you imagine. i’ve had to dip into mine several times in the past.
be responsible, build credit, don’t be stupid, kiss your wild-child days goodbye, and prepare for the worst case scenario.