1. Pets
Do you really need a purebred dog that costs $500?
As someone who grew up fantasizing about having a kennel full of Brittany spaniels, I won’t tell you purebred animals are overpriced. But I am asking why you need one.
If you aren’t planning to show your animal and simply need a loyal pet, there are probably plenty of dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and rabbits at your local Humane Society chapter or animal shelter. And you might be surprised at the number of purebreds you can find there.
Best Friends Animal Society says buying a pet typically costs $500 to $1,000 or more. By contrast, adopting a pet will probably only set you back $50 to $200 in adoption fees. A $50 adopted dog saves you 90 percent over purchasing a $500 purebred pooch.
Plus, some shelters offer periodic adoption events in which fees are slashed. Others might waive fees if you’re willing to adopt an older pet.