Before You Add Additional Expenses

Some friends of ours came to a really good decision today.  Often they would tell us about their financial difficulties.  We listen compassionately, but also we know in the back of our minds that their financial decisions , and no one else's, is the cause of their financial stress.  Today they made a very wise decision.

For the last few weeks, they have been telling us about the new dog they were going to get.  Everybody who knows me know that I am an animal lover with a weakness for dogs.  There is one sitting on my lap right now.  We generally encourage all homes with love to give to go to their local shelter.  There is no love in the world like that given by a rescued dog or cat.  With our friends though, this would not have been a good decision.

Just one of my dogs cost $400 a year in medical expenses.  That does not include food and treats.  Our dogs are part of our family and they give far more than they take, but they do take fiscal responsibility.  Far to often I read on the Facebook page of our local Human Society about animals whose owners could not afford to keep them.  Cats and dogs that have been with the family for 10 years having to be given up.  It is very sad and the animals do not know why they have been separated from their pack.  They do go through depression.

In short, before you do anything to add to your monthly expenses, get your financial house in order.  If you struggle to pay the bills, do not add to them.  This will only increase the stress on you and your family. As for our friends, they decided to focus on getting their financial house in order, then add to the family.