Free pets? Expensive lessons

Are you kids begging to get a pet? This is a great opportunity to teach important life lessons about responsibilities, proper care, kindness, love, and money. Taking the time to educate your kids on the true cost of pet ownership may not turn them into a regular reader of Investor's Business Daily or inspire even a spark of curiousity about why mom and dad can't afford to give them everything they ask for. Still, if your kids want a dog or any pet, check out the Texas Society of Public Certified Accountants website to download a copy of "The True Cost of Owning a Pet." It covers how to anticipate and prioritize expenses, and develop a budget and method of payment. In fact, regarless of your age, this is a valuable worksheet when determining if you can afford a pet. If you doubt me just ask anyone with a free pet if it truly was "free."