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Pet Money And Budgeting Episodes

Caring for pets shouldn’t break the bank. Learn how to save money while still giving your pets the care and comfort they deserve. These episodes help you plan smarter, budget better, and make confident financial choices for every stage of your pet’s life.

Topics included: pet expenses, budgeting tools, insurance vs savings, DIY pet care, affordable grooming, vet bill planning, pet cost management.
Oct. 12, 2025

Stop overpaying for grooming! Trying to save money on grooming? Whether you’ve got a dog or a cat, this episode will help you figure out what you can safely and confidently do at home, and what’s better left to the profession...

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Aug. 10, 2025

Are you tired of feeling like you need a second job just to buy pet food? You're not alone. Prices keep climbing, and if you’ve ever stood in the pet food aisle at the pet store doing mental math and wondering what bill to skip this week, this episode on pet food savings is for you. I’m breaking down six smart, realistic ways to save money on pet food without cutting corners on quality. These are the exact pet food savings strategies I’ve used with my own pets, my foster pets, and share...

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Aug. 10, 2025

Does a single vet visit feel like it could wipe out your bank account? You're not alone and you're not doing anything wrong. Too many pet parents walk into the clinic hoping for a quick checkup and walk out hundreds of dollars poorer, without knowing how it happened or how to avoid it next time. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real cost of veterinary care and giving you a smarter way to plan ahead, so you’re not caught off guard, financially drained, or forced to choose b...

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March 4, 2025

Thinking about getting a dog? Hold that thought. Too many rescue dog adoptions fail because people fall for a face or a story without understanding what they’re signing up for. Choosing the wrong dog, whether it's a rescue do...

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Jan. 13, 2025

Bonus Episode From the Vault: The #3 Most Downloaded Episode of 2024! While we’re on a break until Feb 4, we’re bringing back one of your all-time favorite episodes of 2024 from the vault! This episode dives into the financial options available for pet healthcare, providing actionable insights to help pet parents prepare for unexpected expenses. Join Amy and Jonathan Wainberg, Senior VP of Synchrony Financial Service’s Pet Business, as they discuss strategies like budgeting, CareCredit, and p...

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Aug. 13, 2024

Worried about the rising cost of caring for your pet? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Wainberg, Senior VP of Synchrony Financial Services’ Pet Business, to talk about how pet parents can prepare fo...

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Dec. 5, 2023

Would you be able to cover a $5,000 emergency vet bill today? In this episode, Amy Castro talks with Kristin Lynch, Executive Director of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), about how pet insurance can help protect both your finances and your pet's life when unexpected medical costs arise. They explain the types of coverage available, how pricing varies based on species, breed, and age, and why enrolling early matters. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVE...

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Feb. 14, 2023

Think upgrading your pet’s food means draining your wallet? Think again. In this episode, Amy Castro gets expert pet advice from Kat Donatello, founder of Austin and Kat, on how to improve your dog or cat’s diet without overspending. If you’ve been struggling with pet costs, unsure which supplements actually help, or just need real pet parenting solutions that fit your budget, this conversation is for you. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • Simple, low-cost pet food savings...

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