Unfortunately, it is a very personal decision everyone must make when 'seeking' a pet. Questions like, "Will I have the time/money?" and "Will I want to spend what time/money I have with/on my fur baby?" are key components for me. That said, I must also say that I have never 'sought' a dog (pet) but have never been without one either except while out of the country.
Which means...when we found tiny little freezing, starving, too young to leave mommy puppy Yorkie-Poo alone behind the church, there was no time for consideration...only time to help Stormy. I was a young kid, but he "chose" me and was my baby until his death after my first child was born. Mom was home with him and my baby sister while we were in school, but church and school took a huge amount of our time, and we were basically gone most of the day almost every day. Stormy went with me every place I could take him, and back then, dogs could go in all stores, and he was very portable as well as very devoted...and I trained him very, very well.
Working in D.C., he was home alone at least 11 hours a day during the week...he slept and never messed the place. I am not a 'party girl' so that was never an issue for me.
As far as expenses, if you get a puppy, you will likely have spay/neuter, shots, etc. to deal with...life happens...lol, but there are assists like workshops and 'neuter commuter' services depending on what is offered in your area that can help defray those things. Here, at least one pet store has 'workshops' where certain shots are $5 each. Except for the two Yorkies...which are re-homed, not acquired from a breeder...none of my previous pets were purebred...they were ferals, strays, rescues, fosters, etc. and while I have had some expenses...mostly with kitties at the ER clinic...but generally, all my kids have been mostly healthy and I work to keep them that way from the nutritional angle....garbage in, garbage out...lol..IMHO, my expenses have been fairly reasonable.
There is a huge difference between having a puppy and having a bit older (young adult) dog and if you are too busy for a puppy right now, maybe you could look for a slightly older Yorkie who is well behaved. Then, you can save a little more money and get that Yorkie puppy when your schedule seems more 'solidified'...the best of both worlds.
Good luck with whatever you decide...
