Everyone has a list of how to have a frugal Valentines Day.

But no one does “frugal” like a dog.

VALENTINES DAY
Me: Honey, where would you like to go out to eat for Valentine’s Day?
Wife: Oh, anyplace is fine, Chili’s or O’Charley’s would be nice.
Dog: I’d be happy just eating that leftover lasagna in the back of the fridge.

LITTLE SIDE TRIP?
Me: Would you like to go on a little trip for Valentines Day this year? The beach, snow skiing in Colorado, the West Coast, a cruise?
Wife: Anywhere is fine. You pick.
Dog: The park just down the street, let’s go to the park! Yay!

TRANSPORTATION
Me: What would you think about buying a new minivan, say a Honda Odyssey or a Toyota Sienna?
Wife: Can we afford that right now?
Dog: So long as it DOESN’T have air conditioning, any old car will do. I just love hanging out the window with my tongue flapping in the breeze!

HOUSING
Me: Did you see the house plans for that 5 bedroom 5 bath house? I really like that one. If we could build it on those 26 acres just outside of town . . .
Wife: That’s an awfully big house.
Dog: A one room house is fine with me! HEY! We could all sleep together! YES!!!

FOOD
Me: I’m heading to the grocery store. I want more variety in our meals.
Wife: WAIT. Let me see if I have some coupons and if the Grocery Game ^[2] has any specials.
Dog: I eat the same thing every day and I LOVE it. Hey, I KNOW — How ’bout some dog chow right now? Hmmm?

ENTERTAINMENT
Me: I wonder if I could get a new Wii and some games to go with it.
Wife: Those are fun, but they do cost a lot of money.
Dog: Why don’t you just throw the tennis ball a couple of thousand times at the park? I promise to always bring it back! That is, unless you’ll chase me for it.

BOREDOM
Me: I’m bored, let’s go to the mall and look around.
Wife: Now that’s some temptation.
Dog: How ’bout you let me sit in your lap and you scratch my belly for a couple of hours?

Isn’t it funny how a dog is happy with just the simple things in life? They’re happy just spending time with you, doing something as simple as taking a nice long walk, or rough-housing in the yard, or digging a hole. So long as he isn’t digging up your tulips, it doesn’t cost anything to do those things. Dogs are happy with a belly full of the same old dog food, happy to just walk down the street with you, and happy to chase a Frisbee or a ball. They don’t demand a large house with elaborate decorations, or a fancy sports car, or any of the trappings that humans fall into. They’re happy to just be with you.

There’s a lot we could learn from our “best friends.” Maybe we should just be happy being together.

About the author

Ron has written 1082 articles on The Wisdom Journal.

The founder and editor of The Wisdom Journal ^[3] in 2007, Ron has worked in banking, distribution, retail, and upper management for companies ranging in size from small startups to multi-billion dollar corporations. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from a top MBA program and currently is a partner in a national building materials company.

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