Reducing reptile costs in today's economic climate

[acpart]

Most of us are feeling the pinch from the hard economic times, so I thought I'd start a thread with some (mostly obvious) hints about saving money on our hobby. Feel free to add your own:

--make use of internet lists for getting supplies and feeders: ebay, craigslist and freecycle to name a few.

--breed your own feeders

--see if you can trade with other people in your area. Somebody's surplus can be another person's necessity. Having a real "swap meet" where you trade with no money changing hands.

--get together with other local keepers and make a supply mail order together to save on shipping costs

--patronize local breeders to save on shipping costs

--even though the GF culture supports gecko addiction, it's worthwhile to re-evaluate whether we really need another gecko. I'm tempted, but haven't bought a gecko in nearly 2 years.

--breeders should consider reducing the number of expensive morphs they produce given that there may be fewer sales in the near future.

Aliza

 

[ClownCarOnFire]

Very good tips.

I tried breeding my own feeders, however that didn't work. They all died. =\
I shall try again soon.

 

[Haligren]

Very good tips! But I'm the only one I know that's into leopard geckos around here. I've gotten a few hints on some local breeders but no numbers to call. D: That's about the only thing holding me back (that and no money at the moment) from buying a gecko online - the shipping. So I'm really hoping I find someone closer.

 

[Lacedolphin]

I'm finding that you can get great deals at reptile shows, especially for feeders in bulk and gutload. Between my hubby and sons water dragons ( each has one) and now my 2 geckos, I'm finding that if I pre-order a lot of say 500 plus glutload, it saving me alot from buying from a pet store. The downside is the care to keep them but with the savings, for us its worth it and we know are animals are getting the proper nutrients.

 

[Lady_Kiya]

Very good tips, I am currently breeding my own mealies.. ^^ Hoping that it is working anyways... >.> I have tons of beetles.

 

[Dom3rd]

Maybe if there is enough interest we should start away of lookin our memebers up by area, granted only have it for members only

 

[rubym]

We breed our own feeders and I sell some of those feeders to a local pet store and some other gecko owners that work with my husband to help get other supplies that I need. I also am lucky enough to have one of my daycare grandpas that is an organic farmer. I get my wheat bran ( organic) and vegtables from him at no cost. I have a couple of babies in my daycare and their mom brings me the plastic baby food containers that I use to put the mealies and supers in that I sell so the containers don't cost me anything either. My friend at the pet store lowered the cost of her mealies for her customers because she isn't paying ( I don't have to pay for containers so I can charge less as long as they don't mind gerber containers,lol)as much for them from me so everyone is happy. My daycare moms bring me their potato peelings and the ends from the carrots and veggies that they use to feed my mealies and supers and crickets. Nothing goes to waste around this place,lol.

 

[Gregg M]

Ah... The economy is what it is today because of penny pinching if you ask me... When people are not spending the economy suffers... If you want to make a difference in the economy, spend some cash...

Dont get me wrong Aliza, those are all great ideas for the beginner or the people not breeding and keeping a small collection but it does not do the hobby good to skimp on certain things... I especially think telling people to not buy geckos is bad advice...

 

[Paco]

I will agree with Greg on this issue. I know times are tight for many and extra money is hard to part with these days. But as Greg pointed out not spending hurts the economy and does not help.

As far as not working High end Morphs? That is why I do this, to create some of the most cutting edge top of line Gecko's I can. Don't get me wrong I enjoy seeing a normal leo hatch as much as See like seeing my Novas hatch. But I was 1000% more excited to see the Novas hatch. Because it is a cutting edge morph and I know not many will be producing them right away.

We all have different reasons we do this. We will all have to do what we need to to get by as well.

 

[LeapinLizards]

Well, it's all great and fine to spend money, but I know many many people that currently have nothing TO spend, and I can understand that completely. I pinch pennies in every feasible way these days...not because I want to, but because I have to.

 

[canadiangecko]

YEah i've cut my spending a little bit but not a lot since i need to help the economy especially because my area has lost a lot of our automobile plants .

 

[acpart]

I do agree that spending stimulates the economy and that there is great value in breeding cutting edge geckos. In part, though, the economy is in trouble not because of penny pinchers but because of people spending money they didn't have and then running into problems. I'm not going to say anymore about economics because I don't know a whole lot. My original point was not meant to be "don't breed high end geckos and don't buy geckos", rather, that people should evaluate carefully and not feel that in order to fit in with GF culture they must be buying a lot of geckos. Also that people should examine their resources and their market before deciding to breed high end geckos to make sure that they can meet their needs and goals for sales.

I'm glad this thread is stimulating a range of discussion and opinions. That's why I started it.

Aliza

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

A few I can think of:

-Paper towel substrate instead of tile, repti-carpet
-Home-made hides
-Buying calcium and vitamins in large containers
-Shop around for cricket/feeder prices

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Very good tips, Aliza!

 

[breanna-banana13]

-Paper towel substrate instead of tile, repti-carpet

Thats one i gotta disagree with... tile may seem like a large start up cost, but you dont have to replace them like you would for paper towel. If you figure it costs $10 to tile 2 tanks (thats about what it cost me), thats $10 one time. As opposed to, lets say a roll of towels a month, at 2 dollars a roll (ballpark- i dunno) thats 12 dollars a year.... not a huge difference but its not only saving you money- its helping the environment with reducing waste etc.

I'll admit, I haven't been as frugal as I would like to be, for example I really really wanted to get into breeding roaches but i still live at home and mom will absolutely not let them into the house.:main_thumbsdown:. I guess ill have to find another way...

 

[jtsanti]

I want to support my awesome local reptile place but wonder if they even make money off of feeders??
I have raised mealworms before for other things and I am fine with it. But if it actually helps keep the store open for me to buy feeders there, I will go and buy them. If it doesn't matter, I can just raise them myself.
I have seen so many local (and chain) stores go out of business lately, it sucks. I try to support local business for things I really need and skip spending money on crap I don't need.
Hopefully this isn't too off topic, sorry.