Do you still buy as much stuff for your Yorkie since economy is down?

[ambocken]

Well I am lucky enough to have a MIL who sews-- and LOVES Gracie as much as we do! So whenever we need something she makes it for us and we just buy fabric. I do still find clothes at stores but usually they have to be on sale or fairly inexpensive for me to buy it. We look for the sales on toys too. She has a lot but a new one every now and then is fun. I also have been making my own treats. It probably cost about the same as buying them, but I know what is in them and I know it is quality.

[txrosegirl]

i have cut back buying non-essentials for myself (i have enough clothes, shoes, makeup, hair products, etc) and have not spent money on that kind of stuff for me since october 2008 but have continued to buy my babies things since i will never have skin kids, spoiling my furry kids is way cheaper than a skin kid would ever be ... my kids are spoiled but sometimes they act like they are sooooo deprived

[Potter]

Originally Posted by txrosegirl

i have cut back buying non-essentials for myself (i have enough clothes, shoes, makeup, hair products, etc) and have not spent money on that kind of stuff for me since october 2008 but have continued to buy my babies things since i will never have skin kids, spoiling my furry kids is way cheaper than a skin kid would ever be ... my kids are spoiled but sometimes they act like they are sooooo deprived

Me too...I am not a big spender when it comes to myself and I don't have skin kids as well so he is my kid. I usually buys clothes from Wal-Mart but I will buy the odd items for a little more such as winter coats. I need them to be a good enough quality so that it actually keeps him warm during our winter walks. He doesn't really like chews so I don't worry about those but treats...he loves them.

[shawnzeppi]

Originally Posted by annamalyssa

Quite a few of his toys were Made right here in the Good Ol' U - S OF A So I like to think I am helping a little bit of everyone...

That's really good news. So many people don't bother to look and only buy the cheapest item that looks good. I always look for made in USA or Canada when I buy for my guys too. Especially for food but also for clothes (of which I hardly buy any since I see nothing wrong with their fur unless its cold weather gear) I was buying some chicken treats that had no additives and did not think to check where they were made, and when I did think to do that (after the baby food scandal last year) and saw they were made in China, I stopped buying those. Now its Old Mother Hubbard for me, although I would buy any treat without by-products made made in USA or Canada. Yes, there is the salmonella peanut scare going on now, but I trust food processed here more (plus I would imagine dogs are highly resistant to that type of thing).

[Izzy Princess]

I am very greatful that my husband and I have a job still and pray for those who are struggling during this terrible time.

I have cut back some but not all since life goes on. I just now decide if what I want to buy is a "need" vs. "want". Sure I love to shop but I have tons of things for Izzy and lucky that she hasn't grown out of anything but I have gotten her a few things but like everyone else only if it's on sale or different.

Same with me personally...I love, love shoes and house/cooking gadgets but if I don't need it I'm not getting it unless something major breaks and I have to replace for now.

Right now we are saving up for two doors+screendoors and a new patio door...we had major ice buildup this winter and screwed up our patio door and house doors bad.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Between hubby and me, we don't need anything. For Christmas we agreed not to spend any money since things are really tight for us so I gave him a Hershey's kiss in a Christmas ornament and he loved it!

Now other the other hand, the babies got several bags of treats and a new sweater each ($2.50 at Joanns). So needless to say the babies are still being spoiled albeit on a smaller scale.

[Shelby&Seymour]

We have cut back considerably. My hubby's job is very slow.... not getting 40 hours/weekly. They made an announcement at my job, that we are not getting any bonuses or raises for a LONG time.... and have cut back overtime to absolutely zero. They also offered buy outs, which would have been great if I was 10 years older....... I need my insurance.... Our upper management is taking a hit, too..... up to 30% of their salary..... and this is the beginning.... they said they are TRYING to keep us working and not have any layoffs.... if the economy don't get any worse... and starts to pick up soon.
I definitely have cut my spending..... I LOVE to look, but lately, haven't spent much at all......... I guess I am a little worried as to what our future holds.........but have to keep living life..... and I am very thankful that we are still working for now!

[emilyann]

I pray for those everyday that are without jobs and that have had to cut back due to less work.

We haven't really HAD to cut back but I'm a HUGE worrier about money to begin with. I hardly buy Lilly anything she doesn't need anymore.. She has 2 laundry baskets full of toys because I was buying her one everytime I would go out. She got to where she looks in every bag I have when I go somewhere. I stopped because she doesn't even play with half of them. She has tons of clothes she never wears too, just her pajamas.

[littlewhip]

I have cut way back recently, I know i need there food every 2weeks so that alone is a bit much and of cousre there treats, have to have those They have all the clothes and toys the need for now,, But i do look when i go shopping, I can never just pass the doggie area
I love target , They always have new things

[Yorkieforme]

Since I lost my job 6 months ago...I stopped buying stuff for KiKi...and it kills me!! I went to PetSmart yesterday and did not buy a thing :-( . I know it's silly because they truly only need "food & water and shelter with a loving family" but I miss being able to spoil her with the extra's!! So I have started to do a toy rotation...put a few away for awhile (not her most favorites) and then I bring them back out...it's like a long lost treasure for her!! Makes her happy to play with the "new" toy!!

[shawnzeppi]

Originally Posted by Yorkieforme

Since I lost my job 6 months ago...I stopped buying stuff for KiKi...and it kills me!! I went to PetSmart yesterday and did not buy a thing :-( . I know it's silly because they truly only need "food & water and shelter with a loving family" but I miss being able to spoil her with the extra's!! So I have started to do a toy rotation...put a few away for awhile (not her most favorites) and then I bring them back out...it's like a long lost treasure for her!! Makes her happy to play with the "new" toy!!

Very smart - assuming your Yorkie does not destroy the toys over time, and treats the toy like its new as your KiKi does. I have tried the same thing, and found that they seem not to like them as much. Maybe its the "thrill" they get from seeing us rip open the toy from the packaging? I have a not so scientific theory that the toy makers do something to the outside of the toy so that our pets know when a toy is new and are especially attracted to it - doggy pheromones or something like that. But maybe I'm just paranoid?

[ambocken]

Originally Posted by emilyann

She has 2 laundry baskets full of toys because I was buying her one everytime I would go out. She got to where she looks in every bag I have when I go somewhere. I stopped because she doesn't even play with half of them. She has tons of clothes she never wears too, just her pajamas.

This is SO funny... Tonight when I got home from the store Gracie went right into looking in all the bags to see if I got her something. I think she is spoiled

[QuickSilver]

I read this really interesting book recently that said that most animals have a "seeking" drive, which includes curiousity. It said specifically that dogs and pigs are much more interested in new toys, even if the new toys are not as good as their old ones.

I've seen toy rotation recommended several times, and I do it with Thor myself. Your dogs must be exceptionally smart to remember the toys they've already used.

Of course, Thor is happiest with a dirty sock and a paper towel, so all toys are technically extraneous.

[artie merlino]

Luckily, my BF's business is growing, he owns and operates his own Company that pumps "Concrete" so the Recession/Economy is not really bothering us.
This time last year I got 3 Louis Vuitton Leashes for a Valentine's Day gift,
and I was buying $100.00 Fushia Pink Beds in the shape of a Throne that says
"Princess" on it. I guess you could say that I already bought everything, regardless if they needed it or not? I cut down on alot of treats, not b/c of the cost but b/c they were gaining too much weight. Now a days my budget is for Dogfood (Royal Cainin), Greenies and the Vet.(for their Annual Check-up
& Vaccinations/monthly medications). NO more Splurging! I still buy Clothes but they are usually on SALE or CLEARANCE and NO higher than $10.00, since I have 3 Yorkies everything is multiplied by 3, so my minimum is $30.00. I was
buying $50.00 Dresses for Abigail. In fact their Shampoo is even more expensive than mine? My Splurge now is "Cowboymagic Detangler & Shine" @
$36.50 for a 32 oz. bottle and "Cowboymagic Rosewater Shampoo" -32 oz.
bottle is $10.00, he consideres that expensive and that's the wholesale prices? My spending habits have changed since they are older too, they don't even play w/the Toys that they already have. I do all their Grooming so that saves alot of Money.

[Doodlebug]

Originally Posted by txrosegirl

i have cut back buying non-essentials for myself (i have enough clothes, shoes, makeup, hair products, etc) and have not spent money on that kind of stuff for me since october 2008 but have continued to buy my babies things since i will never have skin kids, spoiling my furry kids is way cheaper than a skin kid would ever be ... my kids are spoiled but sometimes they act like they are sooooo deprived

Me too. I haven't cut back on things for the babies but I do watch for sales. I justify buying them clothes because they will not outgrow them like a child would. lol