Unpopular Opinion: Pet's are luxury items that you should only own when you can actually afford it

I see posts on here by struggling people scrounging money to pay for rent or emergency bills that come up. And yet one massive expense they don't seem to realize is that pet ownership is a LUXURY. If you're 20 year old student or right out of college then why are you owning a pet? You're burdening yourself with potentially thousands or more in yearly expenses that will only hurt your personal finances in the long run. You have to not only have an emergency fund for yourself but what if your pet falls ill and needs $3,000 in vet bills? Add to that Toys, food, checkups etc... 9/10 times these people dump the unwanted pet on craigslist or a shelter when they realize they have to chose between paying rent and paying for fido's flee shots. A very heartless thing. Instead of thinking ahead before getting a pet in the first place and making a smart and sound financial decision.When should you get a pet? After you 1) Have a stable job 2) Have little to zero debt 3) Invested in an emergency fund for yourself 4) Started investing in long term retirement. After that, then you make the assessment and budget out: Do I make enough extra income each month to pay for pet food, toys, vet checkups and save a bit for an pet emergency account or monthly medical insurance incase Fido get's ill?If you can say yes to all those then by all MEANS you can get a pet. via /r/personalfinance http://ift.tt/2ArhvkC

I see posts on here by struggling people scrounging money to pay for rent or emergency bills that come up. And yet one massive expense they don't seem to realize is that pet ownership is a LUXURY. If you're 20 year old student or right out of college then why are you owning a pet? You're burdening yourself with potentially thousands or more in yearly expenses that will only hurt your personal finances in the long run. You have to not only have an emergency fund for yourself but what if your pet falls ill and needs $3,000 in vet bills? Add to that Toys, food, checkups etc... 9/10 times these people dump the unwanted pet on craigslist or a shelter when they realize they have to chose between paying rent and paying for fido's flee shots. A very heartless thing. Instead of thinking ahead before getting a pet in the first place and making a smart and sound financial decision.

When should you get a pet? After you 1) Have a stable job 2) Have little to zero debt 3) Invested in an emergency fund for yourself 4) Started investing in long term retirement. After that, then you make the assessment and budget out: Do I make enough extra income each month to pay for pet food, toys, vet checkups and save a bit for an pet emergency account or monthly medical insurance incase Fido get's ill?

If you can say yes to all those then by all MEANS you can get a pet.