With so many families feeling the financial pinch it is important that you take the time budget all of your expenses. This also includes saving money when it comes to your pets. Some families have been forced to get rid of their pets while other families have found that making adjustments in their budget has helped to ensure all of the needs of their pets are still met. Below are five ideas that may prove helpful when it comes to budgeting your pets expenses.
Find those coupons
You may not realize it but there are just as many coupons for pet items as there are for every day household products. You just have to know where to look. For example when you get your receipt after making a purchase be sure to check it to see if there is a coupon with it. In some cases you may find a small survey at the bottom of the receipt. If you take a few minutes out of your day to take the survey you may be able to save yourself some additional money. You can also check the bag of food or litter to see if there are any coupons found inside or on the outside of the bag. Many coupon sites also list pet coupons as well so be sure to check.
Get the card
Just about all pet stores have free member cards that you can sign up for. This card helps you to get discounts when an item is on sale. Also if you have a Petco card you may earn a free bag of dog food after purchasing a set amount. Many pet stores offer special bonuses after making several purchases of the same product. So next time you visit the pet store be sure to sign up for a member card.
Bulk food and litter
Stores like Costco and Sams club, carry a nice supply of pet food, and in some cases bedding as well. Making a bulk purchase from one of these locations can really save you a lot of money. Just make sure that you have a place to store the extra food so that it does not go stale. Large storage bins to keep food in is a good idea.
Give mobile clinics a try
Several pet stores offer mobile clinics which gives you a huge discount on regular pet care services. This will allow you to get all of your pet’s annual vaccines for a reasonable cost. You will just need to check the schedule and be sure to arrive early. These clinics usually fill up quickly so be there when they first open.
Create a pet emergency fund
Setting up an emergency fund for your pet, is also a good idea. You never know when they may suddenly become injured, and need emergency veterinary care. This care can be pretty expensive and the one thing you don’t want is for an emergency to clean out your bank account. Each week you can focus on setting aside a few dollars from your budget to save money for an emergency. Some have found that applying the envelope system for this is a good idea. You can put a few dollars of cash in an envelope and place it in a safe place until needed.