Pets have always been in integral part of my life. They make me happier, and they’re great companions to have through tough times. They’re also fantastic sources of amusement – both cats and dogs tend to do pretty ridiculous things (have you ever seen a cat get his jaw stuck in his collar? Or jump into the shower by accident when it’s running?). But in addition to all of that, my cats have also imparted some pretty deep financial advice over the years. And being the generous person I am, I decided I had to share that wisdom with the world. Courtesy of my financially savvy cats:
Sometimes free really is the best form of entertainment.
Have you ever seen a cat play with a cardboard box? It’s a running joke among cat owners that you spend lots of money on an expensive toy, and they end up liking the box it came in more than the toy itself. Something about sleeping/playing/hiding in a box is thrilling for them. In fact, even if you have a delineated space on the floor that isn’t a box—say, a square blocked off in painter’s tape—cats will still go and sit in that square!
Before I wax poetic about cats’ weird box habits too much more, let me get to the point. I stopped buying toys for my cats ages ago because the toys don’t seem to make them happier. They’re just as likely to play with a Q-tip on the floor as they are to play with the expensive catnip mouse. And this is a lesson that I think we can all benefit from (not the playing with Q-tips part…that’s just weird). Rather, that there is plenty around us that doesn’t involve a lot of money but is still enjoyable and entertaining. 
An Aside About Dogs…
For awhile, I was getting into the habit of walking my dog every weekend and then stopping at a coffee shop we passed for a hazelnut latte (my apologies for bringing dogs into a post dedicated to cats…). I liked the sweet treat after our 4 mile loop, but I realized that I didn’t like the $5 latte any more than the coffee I make at home with lactose-free milk and my bottle of hazelnut syrup. Instead, now the dog just waits an extra 5 minutes for me to make my coffee, and I get the boost at the beginning of our walk instead of at the end. It’s cheaper and healthier, and combined with the fact that it’s just as tasty as the expensive version, it makes me happier.
I’m not saying that you have to give up all forms of entertainment that cost money, but it’s important to be mindful of which things actually matter to you. If they don’t add value, consider finding alternatives that do. I don’t buy my cats toys anymore, but they would probably revolt if I stopped spending money on fish treats…
Nature is a great stress reliever.
I have a confession…I’m one of those cat moms that totally owns a leash and harness for her cats. I can’t use them anymore because I live in an apartment with some not cat-friendly dogs next door, but years ago one of my SunCat’s favorite activities was getting to go outside. She’d lay in the long grass, and her eyes would get 
really big when a bumblebee flew by. She loved sprawling on the sun-warmed patio deck more than anything.
Now that outside is less of an option, I have cat beds in my window seats. It’s rare for me to come home after work and not see at least one of my two cats sitting in the window. They love sleeping in the sun, and watching the squirrels, and observing the birds. They’re happier and calmer when they have window access (in fact, I leave my blinds up at all times because the cats would shred them if they were down. As a tangent, micro-blinds are the worst…).
I’m the exact same way. When I’m feeling anxious or stressed or depressed, getting outside, no matter the weather, is a huge help. It grounds me and puts things in perspective. And it prevents me from falling into old habits. For a while, my knee-jerk reaction to those moments of anxiety/stress/depression was to buy something nice for myself or order food delivery. Now, though I don’t always succeed, I’m much better about turning to the habit of going outside instead. It doesn’t always work, and I occasionally fall into those old patterns, but I’m definitely making progress, and a big part of that is that I now live in an area that is really walker-friendly.
Spending time with loved ones is important for mental health.
I will fight anyone that tells me dogs are more affectionate than cats. SunCat is 14 years old and wants nothing more than to cuddle with me all day, and she sleeps with me every night. She comes when called and reprimands me 
when I’m not paying her enough attention. Spending time with her is therapeutic for me, but it goes both ways. This is a cat that gets angry when I take her brother to the vet and mutinies when I bring my suitcase out. Being around loved ones is good for you, and I try to always prioritize that in my life (both with my furry loved ones and the humans…). Loneliness risks creating a void that we try to fill by spending money, but making sure that you have loved ones in your life and that you work to maintain those relationships can help prevent mindless spending.
There’s no need to buy the latest and greatest; old but reliable is cheaper!
I have had my cat tree for 10 years. It’s old, and it leans a bit to the side. The carpet is coming up on one corner, and it’s coated in cat hair. The sisal roping is shredded, and at one point one of the cats threw up on
it (sorry; TMI). But this thing just keeps going. It weighs a ton and is super sturdy. Not once in those 10 years have either of my cats managed to knock it over. It’s also one of their favorite things; they wrestle over who gets the top perch, and both of them love perusing their domain from that lofty height. 
There’s no point in spending over $100 on a new one because this one works great. I might buy some new sisal to wrap around the post for scratching, but that’ll be much cheaper. I’ve even thought about re-carpeting it (though that project is a little too ambitious for the moment).
It’s a great piece of furniture, and a purchase that I have never regretted. It may not be the prettiest piece of furniture, but I’m not going to spend money to replace something that still functions well. The same can be said for my couch (a hand-me-down from my mom’s basement) and my TV (apparently way to small and not smart enough). Until they give up and die, they’ll work just fine. (2019 update: I sold that couch for $200 on Craigslist, but got a free armchair to replace it! Frugaling for the win).
Laziness is a virtue.
Cats are really good at being lazy. They sleep an average of 15 hours every day, and some even get up to 20 – now that’s dedication. Half the time when I try to play with StarCat, he’ll just watch the toy be thrown across the room. His tail lashes and he’s engaged, but it takes too much effort to actually chase the thing.
So how does this relate to financial advice? Investing strategy of course! I take my cue from my cats—buy and hold. Ignore the action. Don’t do anything that takes too much effort (like selling during a panic). And don’t get fancy with the funds you purchase (index funds are just fine for me, thanks). This sets me up for a retirement path that is not flashy or exciting, but that’s the whole point. The lazy approach is the way to go here. And I think my cats would approve of that approach.*
Cats are so wise. They really are the superior species, and I even think that StarDog would agree with me on that one (he’s obsessed with the cats).
Ok, anyone have any other great financial advice from cats?? I’d love to hear it! Comment below or shoot me an email.
* Please note that this blog is for entertainment purposes only, and nothing in it should be taken as financial advice for your specific situation. Please talk to a financial professional if you have questions about your individual circumstances.
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