Yeah...that's a lot of money right there. Most of what I do with my animals is a practice in seeing how I can do it very cheap or free or with materials I have on hand. I like sticking with that kind of method because it keeps me prepared in life to do without, which I have a lot all down through the years and I will continue to do so. It helps a person learn to problem solve without always relying on money first.
I've always taught my kids that same skill...I find it utterly valuable in this world to learn how to solve a problem without complicated procedures or by throwing money at it. When they were little and came to me with a want or need, I'd always ask them, "What's the problem, how can you solve it with just things we already have, and will it work?" These are the things to ponder when you live on little and would like to continue doing so.
In this present world economy, more folks need to adjust to it before they HAVE to adjust to it, so the transition won't be quite so difficult.