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The smart pet owners money-saving playbook

• Get ahead of vet costs: Stay on top of preventive care, ask whats essential vs. wait, and price-shop clinics this is where the big money leaks happen.

• Be strategic with everyday spending: Compare food by cost per serving, use low-cost clinics for basics, and always price-check meds before buying.

• Trim recurring expenses: DIY grooming, shop outside pet stores, and have an emergency fund + affordable ER vet lined up in advance.

Lets be honest, pets can be really expensive. Food, vet visits, medications, grooming, toys, emergencies its easy to feel like youre constantly swiping your card.

But heres a mind-shift worth considering: The goal isnt to spend less on your pet. The goal is to eliminate waste and control the big-ticket costs before they control you.

This is the exact playbook pet owners use to cut hundreds (even thousands) a year without sacrificing care.

Vet bills: Control the biggest expenses

Consider building a preventive care system for your pet.

Most expensive vet bills start as small, manageable issues, that can snowball quickly if ignored.

• A minor dental issue turns into surgery.
• A small infection turns into an emergency visit.
• Missed vaccines turn into bigger problems.

Set-up a simple system to help with this:

• Put an annual checkup on your calendar.
• Track needed vaccines by "due date."
• Include dental check reminders.

Think of this more like routine car maintenance. If you skip it, it will almost always cost you more down the road.

Always ask for 'must-do'vs 'nice-to-do'

This is one of the most powerful questions you can ask your vet:

Whats essential today, and what can wait?

When you ask thatquestion, most vets will often present you with the following:

• Ideal treatment plans
• Additional tests
• Preventive add-ons

That doesnt mean you need to say Yes to everything immediately. By asking the question, you can prioritize (with your vet) on whats urgent, and plan the rest for down the road.

Shop vet pricing (yes, really)

The prices a vet charges can vary more than people think. How much overhead do they have? How much have they invested in tech? What you pay in your final bill is often dictated by these things.

Call around and ask about:

• Exam fees
• Vaccine costs
• Dental cleaning prices

Its typical that youll find some fairly significant price differences:

• $65 vs $100 exam fees.
• Huge price differences in procedures.

Dont be afraid to call around and ask. You might end up finding that making a further driveto a more affordable vetwill more than pay for itself over time.

Use low-cost clinics for basics

Split your care strategy by taking your pet to low-cost clinics for certain things.

Specifically, consider using low-cost clinics for:

• Vaccines
• Routine exams
• Preventive care
• Spaying or neutering

Then use your main vet for:

• Illness
• Ongoing conditions

Using a hybrid approach like this is one of the easiest ways to save.

Pet food: Your most controllable monthly cost

Pet food is heavily branded and the marketing budget behind it is staggering.

Instead of focusing on hype or marketing, check the following:

• AAFCO certification
• Real protein listed first
• Balanced ingredients

Keep in mind that its possible to feed your pet well without paying luxury prices.

Also, when shopping for pet food, think in terms of price-per-pound, not the actual price of the bag. This is where some people can get tricked into buying the wrong bag, as a cheap bag might actually cost more per serving. Always calculate cost per pound or per serving, and pay attention to that number.

Pro tip: The Kirkland brand dog food at Costco is worth checking out. Its actually made by a big name-brand manufacturer and is AAFCO certifiedand my vet recently told me that its a solid budget choice.

Medications: Where savvy shoppers save big

This is one of the most overlooked savings areas for pet owners. The most important takeaway is to never assume that your vet has the best price on pet medications.

Be sure to ask for the prescription and price compare:

• Online pet pharmacies like Chewy.com
• Big-box stores and warehouse cubs
• Human pharmacies

Also, try to buy longer-term supplies if possible and youll save money. If your pet uses something regularly like flea and tick meds or heartworm medication, try a six-month or 12-month supply.Youll typically end up with a lower cost per dose that will save you some money.

Pro tip: Ask for generics and written prescriptions. Always ask: Is there a generic version? or Can I get a written prescription? Then you can compare prices elsewhere.

Emergency costs: Plan ahead or pay the price

Consider building a small emergency fund for your pet(s). Even if you can only add $10$25/month to the fund, it will add up quickly.

Also, its really smart to know your emergency options ahead of time.

Before you need them, do the following:

• Find local emergency vets.
• Understand their pricing.
• Know their business hours, especially on weekends and holidays.

Pro tip: Be proactive and ask your vet the following question now: If something happens after hours, who do you recommend thats affordable?

Vets know which emergency clinics in your area are reasonable vs. ridiculously expensive. By asking the question now, youre not price comparing when a true emergency happens, you know exactly where to go.

Grooming: Reduce frequency, not care

Grooming doesnt have to be an ongoing expense. Consider building a simple at-home routine instead. As a guy who trims our dogs monthly, believe me, you dont need to be a pro to learn how to give them a nice trim.

Invest in basic grooming tools once. Buy a set of quality clippers, brush, and grooming supplies. A one-time investment easily replaces recurring costs.

Then just hit up YouTube and do a search for YOUR DOG BREED haircut, and youll find a tutorial to get you going in the right direction.

Also, if you want to stay with the pro groomer, consider stretching those visits. Instead of going every fourweeks, try every six to eightweeks instead. Then you can do more of the maintenance grooming and skip some of the professional visits.

Also, look for self-service wash stations if you cant do it from home. Many pet stores offer full wash setups for you furry friends, often with tools included. They will be much cheaper than full-service grooming.

Consider shopping outside of pet stores

While pet stores are definitely convenient, they tend to be on the expensive side.

Instead, check places like:

• Costco
• Sam's Club
• Discount retailers like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Big Lots
• Local thrift stores and Goodwill.

You can often find pet supplies like beds, toys, treats, and bowls, for 30-50% cheaper than your big-box pet stores.

Try to buy durable items and not products that feel disposable, even if it means spending slightly more on the initial purchase.

Experts warn that easy-to-use betting apps may be quietly draining bank accounts and impacting credit scores

• Sports betting apps are making it easier than ever to spend and lose money quickly, with research linking their rise to worsening credit and higher debt.

• Aggressive tactics like constant push notifications and bet now promotions are designed to create urgency and keep users coming back.

• Consumers can take steps to protect themselves, like limiting notifications and setting boundaries, but experts say stronger protections may be needed.

Placing a quick bet on your phone might feel harmless even fun especially during big events like March Madness. But behind the convenience and flashy promotions, experts say sports betting apps could be taking a real toll on consumers financial health.

According to research and consumer advocates like the National Consumer League, the rapid rise of mobile sports betting is making it easier than ever to spend and lose money, often without fully realizing the impact. Studies have linked legalized sports betting to rising credit card delinquencies and declining credit scores, particularly among younger consumers who are the most active users.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Eden Iscil, Senior Public Policy Manager at the National Consumer League, to help consumers better understand the financial risks and perhaps more importantly, how to protect yourself and your finances.

Betting apps want you to act urgently

Iscil explained that one of the biggest risks to consumers' finances and overall credit is the urgency that many sports betting apps employ to entice people to spend more and bet more.

The most concerning practice we found was how aggressively betting apps were using their notifications as an advertising vehicle, Iscil said. They use terms like bet now and ping you with time limited offers.

Consumers might want a message every now and then related to account security or the payout of a bet. I dont know how many people would allow notifications if they knew itd result in ads on their phone saying bet now.

Push notifications are part of the problem

The immediacy and frequency of push notifications directly from sports betting apps is another key component here. Iscil explained that were essentially always exposed to the temptation of betting, and these apps have gotten creative at making us feel like we need to keep opening the app and placing new bets.

Push notifications are uniquely effective at getting our attention, Iscil said. Notifications give advertisers greater customizability compared to text messages. Notifications are also more likely to be read compared to an email message.

This is especially problematic right now because unlike SMS and email, there are no explicit federal regulations on how businesses can advertise via app notifications. An email marketing practice that would get you fined is ok as long as you do it over push notifications, which is more effective ad space anyway.

Protecting yourself and your finances

If you find yourself falling victim to the pressures of sports betting apps, hope isnt lost. Iscil shared some strategies for consumers to have more control of their betting and their finances.

Some apps may allow you to turn off marketing notifications in the apps settings. But most dont clearly label that feature and some dont offer that capability at all, Iscil said.

Consumers can turn off notifications for an app in their devices settings, but they should know that doing so will turn off all notifications, marketing and not. They might miss out on important messages, like login attempts or cash withdrawal updates, which is why its so important for there to be a dedicated setting to turn off just marketing notifications.

Iscil also likened sports betting ads to advertisements for cigarettes or tobacco, and work needs to be done to ensure consumers arent fed constant notifications from these sources.

We have set a standard in this country that we dont tolerate ads for especially addictive products, like tobacco, Iscil said. Cigarette ads on the radio were too egregious for policymakers and were banned by the 70s.

The idea that an addictive product should be able to send you constant messages on your phones lock screen should not be normalized. These kinds of tactics are barbaric really.

New findings highlight stronger ties to anxiety and depression

• A large Canadian study found cannabis use is increasingly linked with anxiety and depression.

• The connection appears stronger over time, especially among frequent users.

• Researchers say the findings show a correlation not proof that cannabis causes these conditions.

Cannabis is often talked about as a way to relax or cope with stress but new research suggests the relationship between cannabis and mental health may be more complicated.

A major study out of McMaster University found that people who use cannabis are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those who dont use it.

Importantly, researchers stress that this doesnt mean cannabis directly causes these conditions. Instead, the study highlights a growing overlap between cannabis use and mental health challenges something experts say deserves closer attention, especially as cannabis becomes more widely available.

We see that Canadians who use cannabis tend to be more likely to meet criteria for anxiety and depressive disorders, and more likely to report suicidality. We also see that this co-occurrence has strengthened over time, Jillian Halladay, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at McMaster and youth substance use research lead at the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, said in a news release.

How the study was conducted

To understand the connection, researchers analyzed data from two large, nationally representative surveys of Canadians ages 15 and older. One dataset came from 2012 and included more than 25,000 participants, while the second, from 2022, included nearly 10,000 people.

Participants were asked about how often they used cannabis over the past year, ranging from never to frequent use (multiple times per week). The researchers then compared those responses with measures of mental health, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive episodes, and suicidal thoughts.

Using statistical models, the team looked for patterns between cannabis use and these mental health outcomes and whether those patterns changed over time.

What the researchers found

The results showed a consistent pattern: cannabis use was linked with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality and that link became stronger over time.

In fact, by 2022, people who used cannabis regularly (two or more times a week) were about five times more likely to report these mental health issues compared to non-users.

The study also found a dose-response relationship, meaning the more frequently someone used cannabis, the stronger the association with mental health challenges.

At the same time, rates of both cannabis use and conditions like anxiety and depression increased over the decade studied.

Researchers caution that the study cannot determine cause and effect. Its possible that people with anxiety or depression are more likely to use cannabis, that cannabis may worsen symptoms over time, or that both are influenced by other factors. Still, the growing connection between the two is something experts say shouldnt be ignored.

Its important for people to recognize when and how their cannabis use may be impacting their mental health, and how their mental health may be influencing their cannabis use, Halladay said. Its also increasingly important for health and mental health providers to assess and address both cannabis use and mental health concerns together.

A closer look at Amazons growing gig driver program

• Its flexible work, but youre running your own business: Amazon Flex lets you pick shifts, but you cover gas, maintenance, and taxes.

• Once you factor in costs and unpaid time (waiting, driving to pickups), your true hourly earnings can drop quickly.

• Focus on higher-paying surge blocks, track your real profit, and prioritize deliveries (like groceries) that can include tips.

Amazon is quietly expanding its gig economy footprint through a delivery program called Amazon Flex. Theyre pitching it as a flexible way to earn extra cash using your own car.

On the surface, it sounds simple: deliver packages on your own schedule and get paid.

But like most side hustles, the reality is a little more complicated. Heres what you need to know.

What Amazon Flex actually is

Amazon Flex is a delivery program where you act as an independent contractor, using your own vehicle to deliver packages, groceries, or retail orders.

Heres how it works:

• You download the app.
• Pick delivery blocks (shifts) that fit your schedule.
• Show up atyour nearest Amazon delivery station, grab the packages, and deliver them.

Most drivers earn about $18$25 per hour before expenses, depending on location and demand.

Why Amazon is pushing this now

Amazon is racing to speed up delivery times and lower costs, especially to more rural addresses.

Programs like Flex help the company:

• Deliver more packages faster.
• Avoid hiring full-time drivers.
• Scale up quickly during peak demand.

Translation: Its great for Amazons logisticsbut youre essentially running your own mini delivery business.

The real costs most people overlook

Keep in mind that your hourly rate isnt your take-home pay.

As a Flex driver, youll be responsible for the following:

• Gas
• Car maintenance
• Insurance
• Taxes

And youre not paid for:

• Time waiting for delivery blocks
• Driving to pick-up locations
• Slow delivery routes

Also, its worth noting that smaller cars and open-bed trucks do not qualify. You must have a 4-door, mid-sized sedan or larger vehicle.

Heres how you apply to be a driver

The entire system runs through the Amazon Flex app and the onboarding process also takes place through the app.

According to Amazon, Most people complete all onboarding documents in less than an hour and can start delivering with Amazon Flex in less than a week.

Once approved, you:

• Open the app and browse available delivery blocks.
• See upfront pay and time commitment before accepting.
• Show up, pick up packages, and follow the apps route.

Most blocks last three to five hours, and Amazon says drivers typically earn about $18 to $25 per hour before expenses.

Youre also fully in control of your schedule which means you can work as little or as much as you want, depending on availability.

Smart tips before applying

1. Focus on surge blocks only. Pay increases when demand spikes (holidays, early mornings, bad weather). The more experienced drivers wait for higher-paying blocks instead of grabbing the first one available.
2. Track your real hourly earnings. Dont just look at your gross pay,as that only tells part of your income story. Be sure to track gas costs, mileage, and your overall time spent, as thistells you your true profitand whether driving for Amazon is worth it.
3. Choose the right delivery type. Not all blocks are equal. Grocery deliveries (like those from Whole Foods) can include some fairly healthy tips. However, standard package routes usually dont get tips unless its around Christmas-time. Thedifference between these two routes can significantly impact your earnings.

The free app is designed for iPhone 14 and newer models

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new iPhone app called Food Additive Lens uses artificial intelligence to help consumers and professionals better understand ingredients and additives in food products.

• The free app lets users scan ingredient labels and receive clear explanations about additives within seconds while shopping.

• Built on government and scientific databases, the tool aims to make reliable food information more accessible and combat misinformation.

Because of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again, more consumers may be paying closer attention to food labels. Food labels tell you all the ingredients in a food product, but in many cases, its hard to know what the ingredients are and whether they are healthy or not.

However, a newly launched iPhone app is trying to take the mystery out of food labels by putting detailed, science-backed explanations of ingredients directly into shoppers hands.

The free app is called Food Additive Lens. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze ingredient lists and explain the purpose and safety of additives in plain language. Designed for iPhone 14 and newer models, the app allows users to scan a product label in the grocery aisle and receive near-instant insights about whats inside their food.

The tool was developed by Yihang Feng while he was a graduate student at the University of Connecticut, during a summer research assistantship with the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS). The project also led to a journal publication detailing how the app addresses growing consumer concerns about food additives.

Consumers deserve access to clear, credible information about whats in their food, Feng said. Food Additive Lens makes that information available instantly, right when people need it mostwhile theyre shopping.

How it works

After a user snaps a photo of an ingredient label, the apps three-part AI system goes to work. It categorizes the food product, identifies any additives, and explains what each one does whether its preserving freshness, enhancing flavor, or improving texture.

While some food ingredient lists can be hard to understand, the explanations by the app are written in simple, accessible language for everyday shoppers. The app also offers deeper technical and regulatory details for nutrition professionals, researchers, and health care providers.

For those who dont have an iPhone, a web-based version of the tool is also available.

Built on scientific data

Unlike many consumer-facing nutrition tools, Food Additive Lens draws from a wide range of authoritative data sources. Its food classification system was trained on more than 10,000 items from the USDAs Global Branded Food Products Database. It also incorporates information on more than 4,000 FDA-approved additives, using definitions and regulatory descriptions from the Code of Federal Regulations.

Additional data comes from the FDAs Substances Added to Foods Database, helping ensure that the apps explanations are accurate and evidence-based.

Accessing reliable information about food additives has traditionally required consulting scientific journals, regulatory documents, or textbooksresources that are not easily available in a grocery store setting. The app is designed to bridge that gap by delivering expert-backed information in real time.

According to the research behind the app, the project demonstrates how advanced AI can be used for science communication on consumer devices, offering a scalable way to improve transparency and counter food-related misinformation while maintaining user privacy.