Souring, first Suze then The Simple Dollar

[thejessecougar]

A while ago, in a show episode, Suze demanded that a single mother get rid of her dogs. They were costing her money she didn't have - get rid of them.

That was probably the first email I sent her stating my displeasure with her advice.

Now TSD has this post on pets. (At one point in another post he listed getting rid of pets as a way to trim

Comments

[psychichearts]

That is so messed up! I'll admit that when money is tight my pets don't get raw food or fancy cat litter, but seriously, a bag of the clay litter costs like $2 and can last for a really long time! I'm sure the same goes with Alley Cat food or whatever. The companionship a pet gives is surely worth $5 a month or whatever to people saving money, right?

[thejessecougar]

Yeah, frankly they are so bonded to us that I don't think they give a crap about cheap food and litter. Granted, the better food is better for prevention and overall health but *still*. Many dogs and cats have done okay on it or are let go when they need to be if it has ill-effects cumulatively down the line.

I just think it's ridiculous to even mention in a personal finance blog. And then of course it ignited the animals-are-not-kids-argument after someone asked him if he would give his 3rd child (he still has debt, is having a 3rd child and runs a PF blog) up. (His answer was yes, btw.)

[violet_flames]

Yeah... totally tasteless. If someone was bordering on animal hoarding, then I would recommend rehoming animals, but if someone had 3-4 pets, it can be done within a tight budget. Costco has animal food, and actually has some that's a bit of a step up (I believe) from your cheap cheap food, and still inexpensive. You wouldn't ask someone to put their child up for adoption, unless they were in DIRE financial instability, and I don't think you should ask someone to give up a pet either.