Found your blog through Food Renegades. A couple of things about feeding animals raw meat, a subject I am pretty well versed in as I've been feeding at least 50% raw for years, and worked in the Industry.

Scraps of raw are fine, as long as they are being supplemented with a kibble diet to provide adequate amounts of calcium. The reason bone is present in many raw diets, is due to the high phosphorous levels in raw meat. Calcium (bone or egg shells) balance that out and prevent the phosphorus from robbing calcium from the dog itself. Think of a 'whole prey' model. The complete animal is a perfect meal. Bits and pieces arent as balanced.

I give my dogs raw meaty buffalo or venison bones once a week in place of their dinner. Havent paid for a dental cleaning yet, and my oldest are 12.

Also on the kibble front, read the bag on that Trader Joes. Its not as good as you think it is. I have been unimpressed with the quality of kibble produced by TJs. They label it 'natural', but its full of fillers and allergens. Check out Orijen or Acana brands. Whole ingredients, sourced local to the factory, cooked at a lower temp to preserve additional nutrients. A lot more meat content and just better all around.

Lastly, cats need taurine. This is added to all commercial pet foods. If a cat is deprived of taurine, they go blind. Something to keep in mind. Taurine is found in heart muscle, but getting the right amounts can be tricky and is not something to be taken lightly.

Kudos to you for getting your pets some fresh food. I certainly don't mean to scare anyone off. There is just a wealth of information out there, and want to make sure you get the most bang for your extra effort (and your bucks!).

Not a frugal failure. A frugal triumph! Think of the money you didn't spend out and about? Whats more frugal than not spending? Although, I agree, hung curtains are nice. Somebody's got to have a dril you can borrow.

Really enjoy your strategy for cut back Christmas spending. We are doing the same thing this year. I'm trying not to feel bad about it.

I hear ya on the expensive senior pets. Try having a pack of them! Lucky Duke to have such conscientious guardians. Vet expenses are an oft down played portion of pet ownership, but it can become painful, quickly.

The Husband conceptually knows what needs to be paid and where things live. Every once in a while we have a pow wow and walk through everything. Turning over the reins? Hmmmm... I think I'll see how it goes for you.

What a very timely post for me, as I ponder my new vs. used car purchase. Paying cash for a used car is the Holy Grail of Personal Finance. Even considering doing otherwise, some how feels "wrong". But is it really?

Then again, I also indulge in a weekly $5 latte. Happily. Sometimes there is even a not-homemade scone added on. Scandalous, I know.

Clearly, I am a PF failure, so I should rush right out and buy my new car. How's that for justification? ;)

My mantra: Prioritized Spending is where its at.

Good for you for not playing their game! I agree that this is what got us into the whole mess to begin with. They offer you the 5% because if you have the card, you are X% more likely to spend money in their store. As if we don't have brains enough to control where we shop, just by the cards in our wallet. Its irksome, and demeaning.