Horses Are Expensive: September

9/30/2012

Fair warning, I am NOT tracking my pony dollars in 2013. I do not consider my husband and I to be in any shape or form well off. We work very hard, are careful with our money, and go without some things in order to have other things. With that said, the amount I spend on a hobby is frightening. There are American families (and even more non-American families) who live on less than what I've spent this year. That doesn't mean I am going to give up my horses, but I just don't want to know in such exquisite detail how much money this whole thing costs me.

Click image to enlarge.

I was discussing this blog series with one of my colleagues the other day. He pointed out that I shouldn't feel so bad as even he knows that I don't do a lot of things so that I can do this. He pointed out that Hubby and I don't eat out a lot, go to the movies, shop for clothing or jewelry, buy new cars, etc. He was right of course, but still ...

Happily, I was able to keep September's expenditures to a pretty low number. This might be the least I've spent in a month all year. We got a small pay cut this school year (2.73%) which means I have a little less spending money to toss around right now.

There's also the distinct, and very real, possibility that California's kids will go to school up to 20 fewer days next year. If that happens, my pay will be cut by more than 10%. There are several propositions on the November ballot that are designed to temporarily "fix" public school funding, but most Californians are mistrustful of our legislature and their ability to correctly handle our state's finances. We shall see.

For now, I am just going to ride, take lessons, attend clinics, and start showing again in the spring like I've been doing. As someone once told me, there's no point in borrowing trouble from tomorrow.

Kelly link

9/30/2012 09:55:03 am

Interesting to me that CA is thinking of shortening the amount of school days as a way to cut the budget. Indiana has went thru budget cuts the past few years - I work as an admin. asst. at an alternative high school. Our school district, and those around us went thru staff cuts and programs being eliminated.

Like you, we drive older vehicles and find other ways to cut expenses in order to have the horses. I wouldn't have it any other way! I waited until my 40's to have a horse and can't imagine my life without her!

Karen

9/30/2012 10:40:45 pm

Kelly - this year alone, if things don't go the right way during the election, our year has been shortened by 5 days, hence the pay cut. There is the possibility that the days will be reinstated, but we just don't know. Many people believe that our Governor, who is in his second term, is using kids as a sort of hostage. People are very emotionally attached to the issue and are more likely to vote with the governor out of fear of "hurting" their kids. We shall see.

While I have had horses all of my life, I learned early on that there is no money tree. I've always had to make choices. While we live a very good life, there are many luxury things that I would enjoy (weekly manicures, fancier clothing, new cars), but I don't because the horses are an integral and necessary part of my life. They're worth far more than a manicure. :0)

I agree, I can't imagine life without them!

Angela

9/30/2012 02:05:22 pm

I also work (part-time) for the sole purpose to own 2 horses (and 2 donkeys), take lessons, and support my dressage HOBBY, which seems more like a way of life than just a mere hobby...that's a whole other blog ...I know...
However, I am not as brave as you are to actually tally the total; my husband has, but he respectfully kept it to himself.
Great Guy, I know!
I am so thankful for the opportunity and ability to live this wonderful life with him and our equine companions. :-)
Thanks for sharing.

9/30/2012 10:41:51 pm

I am sharing, but I am cringing as I do so. I'll be glad when 2013 rolls around if only to stop the accounting. :0)

Sharon T

10/1/2012 12:20:04 am

I believe we all make choice to be able to include our hobbies in our lives. Yes, horses are an expensive hobby - but so is sailing, golf, cars, big game hunting and various other hobbies. I appreciate your braveness in showing your expenses related to your horses. I wasn't under any illusions that you had a money tree.

I show my dogs and while they are not as expensive as horses, I do as you do, sacrifice in other areas of my live as I cannot imagine my life without them.

10/1/2012 02:34:39 pm

Sharon - thanks for sharing. We have one dog and while we don't show him (HAHAHA), he isn't cheap. I imagine that showing dogs can probably get pretty pricey. You don't have board, but I am sure you have some pretty steep expenses. Like horses, dogs still require vet care (wormers, flea and tick stuff, etc.). None of that is cheap.

I can't imagine shorting Tobi (our lab) on any of the care he needs. We would certainly go without to make sure he had what he needed. Like you say, living without dogs (and horses) is just not an option at our house either. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage