When we adopted our pup Zoey (a sato from Puerto Rico) in 2019, we had a general idea of what certain things cost — a 30-minute dog walk, the adoption fee, a spay procedure, and food and treats. We’re a DINK household, so my husband and I are comfortable spending our extra cash on her, but we’ve had some sticker shock lately.
A new groomer tried to charge $85 for a bath (not even a “haircut”), and one vet estimated that a routine teeth cleaning for our healthy 5-year-old dog could cost up to $2,000. As someone deep in the social media algo trenches of rescues and shelter communities, I often think about how many homeless animals could be saved if it weren’t for the financial burden of rising pet care prices — and pet insurance on the chopping block helps no one. But there are some resources to help offset things: RedRover offers financial assistance for urgent pet medical care, online pet pharmacies often offer reduced prices on important meds, and Clear the Shelters aims to lower or waive many adoption fees. Plus, in my view, the love of a pet is worth every penny.
— Alyssa Sparacino, editorial director, NJ
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How the news affects your finances.
Budgeting for Your Furry Best Friend
The joy of cat cuddles and puppy kisses is priceless, but being a pet parent today can strain your wallet. The average lifetime cost of having a dog is around $30,000, according to a 2023 MarketWatch report. This is due in part to climbing vet bills, pricier kibble, and a booming demand for pet services like dog walkers and sitters. In fact, a recent survey by USA Today reports that 91% of dog owners have felt financially stressed.
Yet, the need for stable, loving homes for pets is more pressing than ever. Some pets adopted during the pandemic are being surrendered as return-to-work mandates continue to roll in. This is on top of the nearly 1 million animals euthanized each year in the U.S. due to overcrowded shelters.
The good news: Signs indicate more people understand the commitment of bringing a dog or cat home, shaping their financial plans and lifestyles around the decision. Here are some ways to add a pet to the family (or help animals in need) without breaking the bank.
Your Move:
Crunch the numbers. A pet budget calculator can help you estimate annual costs from vet bills to food. Then, don’t forget all the extras like a crate if you’re potty training, up-front costs like adoption fees, and practical considerations like hiring a walker or the occasional sitter, says Bethany Hsia, DVM, a veterinarian based in Fresno, CA.
Plan for what-ifs. Pet insurance can cover certain health expenses, but every plan is different — some cover routine care while others may only help with emergencies. Premiums cost an average of $32 to $56 a month, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
Consider fostering. If your salary or lifestyle doesn’t allow for a permanent pet, consider becoming a foster parent, which helps free up space for shelters and rescues to save more animals. Or find a local shelter and donate supplies or money for a tax-deductible way to do good.
for the group chat
The money stories everyone’s talking about.
How much do you think “America’s Sweethearts” make per NFL game? Hint: One of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders said “I would say I’m making…like a Chick-fil-A worker who works full time.”
It’s not a recession. It’s a “vibecession.” Feeling “meh” about your money isn’t great for your mood — or the economy at large. That does not pass the vibe check.
Some economists think providing unemployment benefits to workers who voluntarily leave their job could benefit everyone. Who said quitters never win?
Do you have a “fake email job”? These types of gigs may sound sweet at first, but could leave you feeling dead inside. RIP ambition.
This woman has a 44% application-to-interview success rate. See exactly what resume updates she made to help get there. We’re taking notes.
ask an expert
We asked you to vote on a question you’d like answered. The winner was:
What are some signs it’s time to leave your job?
FEATURED EXPERT:
Patrice Lindo
Career success coach at The Career Nomad
Sometimes you just know a job isn’t the right fit. Maybe your boss is toxic, the company is in financial trouble, or you’re being drastically underpaid. But there aren’t always glaring red flags, and it can be difficult to recognize more subtle signs it might be time to exit. “I’ve been on jobs for eight years, and I’ve been on jobs for 30 days,” says Patrice Lindo, founder of the career consulting company The Career Nomad. “Gone are the days of working at the same place for 25 years. It depends on you and your internal clock.” While you job hunt, revamp your resume, and take networking opportunities, focus on creating work boundaries — sign off at a certain time and don’t check your email after hours.
Here, Lindo shares four signs it’s time to refresh your interview skills.
You’re bored stiff. Whether the excitement has worn off or was never really there, that could be a sign that your job isn’t meeting your needs. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to leave — it could also mean you need to be challenged. If everything else is OK (salary, work/life balance, coworkers), speak with your manager about your career goals to find out if there are other ways you can feel more fulfilled.
You’re being underutilized. Has your boss shrugged off your eagerness to step up? Were you hired to do X, but spend most of your time doing Y instead? Do you consistently feel like your input isn’t valued? “Over time, being underutilized will impact your career growth,” says Lindo. You could be more effective (and satisfied) elsewhere.
Sunday scaries are every day. If you dread every single workday, that’s a sign it’s time to go. This is you if “Saturday feels like a second long, and [on] Sunday, you have that pit in your stomach,” says Lindo.
Your job is literally making you sick. An unhealthy work situation could manifest in physical symptoms like insomnia and high blood pressure or emotional stress including stress or anxiety. “That’s your body saying, ‘Hey, there’s a problem here’,” says Lindo.
5-minute money tip
One act of financial self-care you can do in five minutes.
Repurpose your LinkedIn shoutouts in your cover letter
You’ve got those impressive LinkedIn recommendations, so make sure to use them to their full advantage. (If you haven’t requested a rec from a former or current coworker, simply click the + sign in your profile next to this section, search for a connection you’d like to reach out to, and send them a note about what you’re hoping they could highlight.) Instead of assuming hiring managers will see them on your profile, place the best quotes at the bottom of your cover letter. Try a subhead such as “What Colleagues Say About Me.”
This addition can help bridge the gap between skills on your resume and real-work situations where you excelled. Since references are typically contacted near the end of an interview process, this can take an interviewer beyond just the bullet points of a resume — and ideally get you on the short list of candidates.
skimm well
Money stressing you out?
While men may find it easier to detach from some of life’s stressors, women are more likely to stress over them, which could have a direct impact on your mental and physical well-being. We can help you face your finances here on Skimm Money, but to stay in the know about the latest stress management tools, check out Skimm Well.
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