Pets
Pet Care on a Budget: Saving on Food, Vet Visits, and Supplies
Cut pet costs without cutting corners: preventive care, comparing vet quotes, food choices, insurance versus savings, DIY grooming and what not to skimp on.
Tomas Rivera
Tomas Rivera is the pen name of our money, pets and hobbies desk. The byline covers budgeting and saving in any currency, pet care on a budget and hands-on hobbies, with checklists you can use right away.
Money & Savings, Pets, Hobbies & DIY
Articles by Tomas Rivera
Hobbies & DIY
Starting a Vegetable Garden in Containers
Pick pot sizes by vegetable, mix the right soil, get sun and watering right, and choose easy first crops, with fixes for the most common container problems.
Money & Savings
Sending Money Abroad: How to Compare Fees and Exchange Rates
Learn to compare the true cost of an international transfer by checking the exchange rate margin and fees together, with a worked example and a scam checklist.
Money & Savings
How to Cut Subscription Costs With a Household Audit
Find every recurring charge, decide what to cancel, pause, downgrade or share, and avoid free-trial traps with a step-by-step audit you can finish in one evening.
Hobbies & DIY
Beginner Photography: Composition Rules That Improve Any Photo
Learn the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing and light direction, plus simple phone camera habits and practice exercises that make your photos stronger.
Pets
Adopting a Dog: How to Choose the Right Breed and Age for Your Lifestyle
Match a dog's energy, size, grooming needs and age to your daily routine, with shelter questions to ask and a first-week checklist for a smooth start.
Hobbies & DIY
The Basic Home Tool Kit: Essential Tools Everyone Should Own
Build a starter tool kit for hanging shelves, tightening fittings and simple repairs, with what each tool does, safety gear, storage and when to call a pro.
Money & Savings
The 50/30/20 Rule and Other Budgeting Methods Compared
Compare 50/30/20, zero-based, envelope and pay-yourself-first budgeting with a percentage worked example, so you can pick the method that fits how you earn and spend.
Pets
Cat Behavior Explained: What Common Habits Mean
Understand kneading, slow blinks, scratching, tail and ear signals, and why litter box changes can point to illness, with clear guidance on when to call a vet.