Here’s something creative. \u00a0My brother was sharing with me the way\u00a0two families he knows handled their want of a dog and the recurring expenses that comes with it. \u00a0They share the dog. \u00a0One family gets to play and bond with Fido one week, and the next week, family number two gets the pleasure. \u00a0Food and toys are each individual family’s responsibility; expenses for medical needs are shared.<\/p>\n
This is a first for me. \u00a0It actually never occurred to me that two families would want to share one dog. \u00a0But after a little thought I realized the beauty of their situation. \u00a0And from a money management perspective, it’s a win\/win. \u00a0Why not share a dog?<\/p>\n
I do an activity in my intermediate money class where kids get to choose a pet then “take care” of it for a year. \u00a0It’s all done in two class periods but by the end the kids have an appreciation for the money side of owning a pet. \u00a0Month-by-month kids, using their pet allowance, get to pay for food, toys, shots, medicine, and all the other expenses that come with owning a pet. \u00a0And since life happens in unpredictable ways, along the path of taking care of their pet, they may find themselves with an extra unplanned expense…their dog may eat the Sunday paper and need emergency care. \u00a0The kids need to make sure they have the funds in their budget for these unexpected expenses.<\/p>\n
This project is a highlight for the kids. \u00a0They look forward to it each year. \u00a0They love going through catalogs and placing orders. \u00a0They learn how to write checks and balance a checkbook. \u00a0They also\u00a0learn how to make choices between items they want for their pet. \u00a0After all, you can’t have everything you want. \u00a0We don’t do credit cards.<\/p>\n
But owning a pet is much more than buying it food. \u00a0It’s often a very joyous experience. \u00a0Pets provide unconditional love, fun and happiness. \u00a0Pets are true family members. \u00a0That said, however, they are also a part of our budget and the money side of the equation needs to be considered. \u00a0That’s why I think it’s wonderful that these two families worked together creatively to come up with a plan that would allow them the joys of pet ownership with the security of shared expenses. \u00a0But the real winner is Fido. \u00a0 To be loved by two families! \u00a0I wonder if excessive tail wagging could become a medical expense…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here’s something creative. \u00a0My brother was sharing with me the way\u00a0two families he knows handled their want of a dog and the recurring expenses that comes with it. \u00a0They share the dog. \u00a0One family gets to play and bond with Fido one week, and the next week, family number two gets the pleasure. \u00a0Food and toys are each individual family’s responsibility; expenses for medical needs are shared. This is a first for me. \u00a0It actually never occurred to me that…<\/p>\n