Can I afford it?

I enjoy watching the Suze Orman show every Saturday night. My favorite segment of her show is when people call in, tell Suze what they want to buy, then she asks them some questions about their finances and tells them if they can afford to make the purchase. That seems easy enough when it's a one-time purchase like a new TV or vacation, but what about a pet? Sure, there's the upfront cost of adopting the pet, but how do you accurately quantify the on-going costs like food, vet care, and heartworm preventative? I found this article today that I think may help answer that question.

Article link: How much is that doggie in the window?

Of course, your results may vary. Do you have some tips for how to make dog ownership more affordable, especially in these economic times? If so, leave a comment on this post.

And, before throwing in the towel, remember you can save money by spending more time with your pets and your friends who have pets. Looking for something relaxing to do instead of enjoying a $4 cup of coffee? How about taking your dog for a walk? What is better than snuggling up and watching a good movie or reading a good book with your cat? Get your friends and take the dogs to the park (bring coffee from home, and not Starbucks). Have your friends come over and y'all can cook in and the dogs can play! That beats the price of drinks, dinner and a movie out.