"My pet is too expensive."

Being a new pet parent is not easy. While I knew this going into it, I definitely did not fully grasp just how not-easy it was. However, I wouldn't trade my puppy or cat for the world. Still, they can cost a lot. I cannot emphasize it enough, adopt adopt adopt adopt. I adopted my cat, but did not adopt my puppy - I bought my puppy off a farm.

Before I get to how to save money for the animal you already have, let me tell you some more about the benefits of actually adopting your animal, which can be a serious money saver in itself.

1. By adopting you get: microchipping, spaying/neutering, possible declaw (with cat), all vaccines updated, and any medical treatment needed such as de-flea-ing (not entirely sure of the technical term but bear with me) completely done. You get this all for free with the adoption of your animal. At my local shelter the cats started at $45 - $90, dogs went for closer to $115. $90-$115 is cheaper than anywhere you will find a spaying/neutering.
2. By adopting an animal through Petco, during their Adoption Weekend, you get coupons coupons coupons for toys and food, and: "Natural Balance® will be sponsoring Petco's National Adoption Weekend and plans to give all dog adopting pet parents a free 2.75 oz. roll of dog food and $3 off a 12.5 lb. bag of dry or cased dog food. Those who adopt a cat will receive a free can or pouch of cat food and $3 off any 10 lb. dry or cased cat food." Free food yet again! 
3. If you adopt a dog, Pedigree will give you an entire bag of food for free. You read me right, my frugalites. Click here for more info. 

So yes my friends, it can actually be very easy to afford an animal. Click here to find an adoptable pet near you!

Anywho, back to those of us who already have furry friends.

Ways to save money with your little beloved:

1. Look for a low cost vet in your area that partners with the state. You may not think you had one -  I know I thought I didn't. I was wrong. There is one less than a mile from the house. Because of this, I was able to get a microchip with lifetime registration and all of my puppy's vaccinations for $40. You read me right. $40. I was also able to get her spayed for $80. You're probably thinking "yeah, but they do the stitches kind". It's alright because I thought so too. Wrong. So wrong. They did the lasers. Yes, the lasers that a normal vet will charge upwards of $220 to get done. So yes, frugalites, they're definitely worth looking into.
2. Petco PALS rewards. I cannot emphasize this enough. I get two free cans of food per month from Petco through this program (1 can of cat food, 1 can of dog food). It is completely free too. Plus, for every $100 you spend, you get $5 towards your next purchase. It's not much, but it helps.
3. Petco grooming also offers your dogs first nail trim with them for free. It's been my experience that they won't mention this when they get it done, BUT if you mention it before you schedule, and once you get there, you should get their nail trim for free.
4. Petco grooming also gives you a free double sided tooth brush for your pet when you get them groomed at their location.
5. Use apps for your iPhone/Android/Windows phone, such as Shopkick, and you will never pay for a toy or food again. You're laughing but seriously it's so easy. By scanning items, I'm given points. I average about $15 to a Target Giftcard per month with Shopkick. This way, I do not pay for dog food or cat food. Voila. Or you can use iBotta, and get paid to buy dog treats and dog toys. Plus, you'll get a free $5 to your paypal account after your first purchase using the app, click here on your mobile phone to download the app.

Let me know how things work for you guys, or if you have any suggestions!

Yours frugally,

Alicia

So You've Got Your Education

Yes, I'm talking to you recent college grads (or drop-outs). Class of 2012, doesn't it feel amazing? You've finally left the suffocating fist of educational totalitarianism, and you're ready to go out as an adult and live your life. Boy, I bet you're excited! Oh man, and soon you're going to be living in your very own condo, just on the outskirts of town, and you're bouncing from interview to interview in your black slacks and nice blouse. One day you come home, and you're checking your mail in your very chic little box - it feels so nice to have that, doesn't it? - and there it is. Staring you in the face is your demise.

Your very own stafford loan repayment. How sweet of them.

Thank you for your business, the letter says. Thank you? Clearly it's mocking you. If you're anything like me, you bore your eyes into the sheet of paper, and slightly hope that magically the letter will fly away. Or burn in the fiery pits of hell.

Just a suggestion.

The very first time I received this letter, I felt like my life was over. After 3 months of searching for a job, I finally found one...at the same place I'd worked while I was in college. I was making enough to get by, but barely. This letter completely screwed my entire view of 'I can do this', and flushed it.

I have a dog to take care of. I have myself to take care of. I have bills to take care of.

I was desperate.

I found myself searching for hours at a time after I got off work for ways of to save a penny. And I literally mean a penny. Where I live, a SuperTarget and a Walmart are literally on the same street. If I could save a penny by walking over to SuperTarget - I did it. Every single cent of change I received back, I saved. Once my mini-bank (holds up to $4 in change) was full, I'd walk over to my bank and deposit it.

Yes, the teller will ask you if you're seriously only depositing $4 into your bank.

Yes, you are serious.

This is when I found iBotta and found out that I could get paid for doing groceries. Yes, yes, you read me right, Ladies and Gents. You can get paid for doing groceries. As long as you can save a receipt for the items on their list, you can earn upwards of $1.75 per item, depending on the item. I also received a $5 credit to my Paypal account just for signing up with a link provided from a blogger (click the link I provided too and you'll also get a $5 credit).

On my average shopping trip, I'm getting paid about $10 per trip - for me that's $40 per month. That's $480 per year I would make, just for grocery shopping on things I normally purchase.

Wanna join iBotta and make some extra money? Click this link on a mobile device and download the app to your phone, and boom! You will have $5 free dollars in your Paypal account. You're welcome my fellow frugalites, you are welcome.

Yours frugally,
Alicia

Note: This post is NOT a sponsored post. Everything on this post is %100 my own opinion. This post is purely for the enjoyment of others, and is here to help people save money in a faster and easier way than I was able.