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
How Utilization Impacts Your Credit Scores: My Real-Life Example
You may already know that Credit Utilization is the second-largest factor FICO considers when determining your credit score. Specifically, it makes up 30% of your score, topped only by Payment History at 35%. But what does that look like in practice? Well, I recently got the "opportunity" to see firsthand. In April, I elected to...
Travel Tuesday: Allbirds Weatherproof Hightops - How They Compare to Mizzles
As I've mentioned more than a few times before, after purchasing a pair of water-resistant Allbirds Runner-Up Mizzles a few years back, they quickly became my go-to travel shoe. That's because they're not only comfortable but also help protect my feet from wet weather while on the road (there are few things I hate more...
This New Hardshell Carry-On Luggage Option Has My Attention
Welcome back to another Quick Tip — and the latest edition of our occasional, unofficial series Things Kyle Wants to Buy. When I returned from my most recent trip, for some reason, I had hardshell luggage on my mind. That's strange because my current soft-sided luggage has served me well and, moreover, I've traditionally not...
Would it Be Wrong to Try This Potential Free Checked Bag Trick?
I don't remember the last time I paid for a checked bag on a plane. Granted. I've paid for carry-ons while flying Allegiant — but, in the cases where I have elected to check a bag in recent years, it's been a free gate check since I occasionally volunteer to part with my bag early...