Category: Pets

As proud furbaby parents, my wife and I have first-hand experience with the challenges and of course joy that comes with pet ownership. I document some of our experiences along with reviews of the products/services we use.

Lemonade Pet logo
Lemonade Pet Insurance Review (2026): Policy Options & What's Covered
Updated on February 4, 2026 Pets have always been an important part of many American families. Yet, I don’t think I’d ever really considered the idea of purchasing insurance for a dog or cat until I learned that Lemonade was adding it as an option. Cut to a mere month after when my wife and...
PupRing pendent
PupRing Review: Is it Legit? Worth It?
Since my wife and I got our dog Rigby, we've slowly but surely come to fit every stereotype of a modern pet owner. Yes, 90% of the photos on my phone are of her. My wife and I constantly send each other videos of dogs that remind us of Rigby. And somehow our dog spends...
Frenchie resting head on a rug
Making a Pet Insurance Claim: My Experience with Lemonade
When we got our dog Rigby in 2022, a pet insurance policy was one of the first purchases we made. Thankfully, it wasn't until a few weeks ago that we actually had to use it. What was the process of filing a pet insurance claim and getting paid out like? Let's take a look at...
dog sitting on a couch
Costs of Pet Ownership: More of Our Actual Expenses with a Dog
Back in 2021, my wife and I decided to add a dog to our family. After a lengthy search, that summer, we brought Rigby home. Soon thereafter, I shared a post detailing the expenses we'd encountered as new pet owners. Now, as we mull the idea of potentially getting a "sibling" for Rigby, we've been...
Frenchton dog sitting on the floor
Is the Cost of Dog Training Worth It? My Experience and Thoughts
Nearly two years ago, my wife and I welcomed a four-legged friend to our family. Over her first few months with us, our dog Rigby has made tremendous growth as it pertains to getting used to our home, adjusting to our routines, and even basic things such as walking on a leash. While part of...
dog on a couch
Good (and Bad) Habits I've Gained Since Getting a Dog
Editor’s note: This article was first published in October 2022. We’re republishing it here on Money@30 as part of my new Pets series. It's now been six weeks since my wife and I brought home our dog, Rigby. With this being the first pet either of us has had in our adult lives, I'm sure you...
dog on a leash on grass
The Cost of Pet Ownership: Our Actual Expenses with a New Dog (So Far)
Editor's note: This article was first published in August 2022. We're republishing it here on Money@30 as part of my new Pets series. Last week, my wife and I welcomed a new member to our family as we brought home a pup we've decided to name Rigby (in case you were wondering, our friends have...
maltipoo puppy sitting
Lessons Learned from My International Dog Sitting Adventure
A few months back, I wrote a post sharing that my wife and I were considering adopting a dog while also recounting some of costs we were totaling up as we furthered our research. Well, thanks to some unexpected travels, our plans to get a pup of our own have been delayed. But, in the...
dog looking up
6 Costs to Consider Before Deciding to Get a Pet
Are you considering becoming a pet owner? There are many benefits to being a "pet parent," not the least of which is the strong bond you form with your animal. Unfortunately taking care of a pet can also come with some major costs you'll need to plan for ahead of time. With that, here are...
Featured Articles
Travel Tuesday: The Club ATL Grab & Go Pantry Lounge Review
Last week, I set off for San Francisco from my home in Springfield, Missouri. But, since I was flying Delta, I of course needed to make a stop in Atlanta before my flight back in the correct direction. Over the years, I've spent plenty of time at ATL, so when something new pops up, I...
4 Daily Games I Play That Somehow Make Me Feel Smart
Remember a few years ago when Wordle took the world by storm? Well, after that, it seemed that several other daily games popped up as well. Over time, the lineup of games I actually bother to play daily has evolved — but there are a few that I keep returning to. That's probably because, even...
Hotel Vandivort Review: Springfield, Missouri's Four Diamond Boutique Hotel
When it comes to my Travel Tuesday hotel review series, I often wonder what travels might be featured in my latest installment. That's when it hit me that: instead of looking to other cities for adventure, I could feature a property found right here in Springfield, Missouri.  Hotel Vandivort is a unique boutique hotel we’d...
I'm 40 and Finally Figured Out How to Properly Shave My Face
For a good portion of my mid to late 20s, I made my living pretending to be in high school for television. As it turns out, part of the reason why I could pass for younger is that I can't grow a beard to save my life. Unfortunately, this lack of growth also means that,...