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- The Real Cost of Love (and Fur) 🐾💰
The Real Cost of Love (and Fur) 🐾💰
Before you adopt that cute puppy... read this 🐾
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📩 Today’s edition is sponsored by Attio, the first AI-native CRM that builds itself as you work. Connect your email and instantly get smarter insights, automated workflows, and a CRM that scales with your business.
Whether you already have a pet, want one someday, or swear you’re not ready yet…
there’s a lesson here about preparing financially before emotion takes the wheel.
🐶 The Moment Penny Almost Adopted on Impulse
Last week, Penny saw the cutest puppy ever — big eyes, floppy ears, pure joy.
Her heart said “Take it home.”
Her wallet raised an eyebrow.
For a few minutes, she pictured everything:
walks, cuddles, photos, matching sweaters.
Then she remembered something important:
Love is free.
Pet care isn’t.
And that applies even if you don’t have pets yet.
Because the time to prepare isn’t when you’re emotional —
it’s before the adorable chaos begins.
💡 The Piggy Perspective
Penny learned the truth:
A pet isn’t a one-time purchase — it’s a long-term commitment.
And most people underestimate the cost until it hits.
Hard.
Here’s the breakdown most people never budget for:
🦴 Food: $40–$120/mo
🐶 Vet care: $200–$600/yr
🚨 Emergencies: $300–$2,000+
✂️ Grooming: $40–$100/mo
🛏️ Toys/crates/leashes/beds: $20–$60/mo
🏠 Pet deposits, renters fees, travel sitters: $50–$300/yr
Even if you don’t own a pet, this is a lesson in planning ahead —
because life always taxes the unprepared.
⚙️ Penny’s “Pet-Ready” Plan
Instead of saying no to the idea, Penny got smart about it:
1️⃣ Started a small Pet Fund:
$20–$30/week until she hit $500–$1,000.
2️⃣ Researched real costs:
Not TikTok clips — actual vet estimates.
3️⃣ Added pet expenses to a pretend budget:
If it didn’t fit comfortably?
She wasn’t ready.
4️⃣ Made this rule for herself:
“If I can’t afford routine care, I can’t afford emergencies.”
That rule saved her a lot of future stress.
📋 Quick Checklist
Whether you’re a pet parent now or a “maybe someday” person:
Could I cover a $500 emergency today?
Can I fit $40–$150/mo into my budget comfortably?
Do I understand the recurring costs?
Have I researched breed-specific expenses?
Am I prepared, or just emotionally excited?
Two “yes” answers = you’re thinking ahead.
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💡 Piggy Tip
Don’t adopt with your heart alone — bring your budget with you.
A pet deserves stability and care, not financial stress.
Planning first means you can enjoy all the love, without the panic.
🐷 Piggy Penny Can Help You Stay on Track:
💰 Build your emergency fund while paying loans (so you don’t go backward).
📊 Use our trackers to see real progress, not just “balances.”
💬 Get weekly motivation to keep going when it feels endless.
👉 Join our $1,500 Savings Challenge — the same system people use to get control before tackling debt.
It’s your reset button.
It’s how you stop living payment to payment and finally move forward.
🐽 Piggy Scripts (for the “OMG I want it” moments)
🗣️ “This isn’t a one-time cost — it’s a monthly commitment.”
💬 “If I prepare first, I can enjoy forever.”
💭 “A pet deserves stability, not stress.”
✨ “My future pet deserves my best financial self.”
Short lines.
Big impact.
Perfect when emotions try to outrun logic.
💬 Piggy Pep Talk
Pet or no pet, here’s the truth:
Your financial life gets stronger every time you plan ahead.
Preparing now = fewer surprises later.
Saving today = less stress tomorrow.
Responsibility today = peace tomorrow.
That’s how you protect the things (and pets) you love.
— 🐷 The Piggy Penny Team
Save Your Pennies. Make Hundreds.
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