How Much Do Balloon Arches Cost?
A balloon arch is perfect for entrances, dance floors, stages or even along walls. It even sets a dramatic entrance for proms, anniversary parties, birthday parties, or other special events.
How much do balloon arches cost?
Balloon arches are often going to be priced by the width, height, style, the location of the venue (outside or inside) and the balloons chosen. On average, the prices for a complete setup can range anywhere from as little as $75 to as much as $600, but most professionals will have a minimum that often starts at $150. These prices would not include the additional delivery and setup fees, however. To receive an estimate, if using a professional, they will often ask for the location of the event, the setup time, ceiling height, length of the time the balloons need to float and the designs you have in mind.
Refer to our table below to see what the most popular balloon options could cost:
| Type of Balloon Arch | Cost (per pair) |
|---|---|
| Free Floating | $75 to $150 |
| Columns | $150 to $300 |
| Single Strand Arch | $75 to $200 |
| Criss-Crossing | $175 to $300 |
| Spirals | $250 to $450 |
| Supersized Arches (larger than 17" balloons) | $500 to $1,000 |
BalloonsAllOver.com, for example, lists a few different arches they can create, with prices range anywhere from $75 for a free-floating arch to as much as $525 for a super-sized arch, according to their official website.
Balloon Brilliance listed pictures of their past work, along with the prices of each job. These prices, however, didn’t include additional delivery, setup or tear down fees. From what we researched here, the costs ranged anywhere from $190 to $600.
Another company, HighExpectationsBalloons.com, similar to Balloon Brilliance, also offered pictures of their past work, with prices ranging from $275 to $500.
Balloon arches overview
The balloon arch can commonly be a string of pearl, which is one balloon after another within a single line, or it can be packed, made of four balloon clusters that are wrapped on a single line when using helium. The packed arches may also be air-filled and created utilizing base plates, flexible arch rods and poles. Many balloon arches, when created, are often customized with someone’s name or a saying above the arches. Even though the company may refer to it as an “arch,” they can create some that appear as a square-like entrance.
No matter what you’re envisioning, a good company can offer an endless range of colors, sizes and types of balloons.
The balloons being used in the arches also differ. They can either be made of foil (Mylar) or latex or even a combination of both. Also, the balloons can either be air-filled or helium filled.
What are the extra costs?
Depending on the company, delivery, setup and tear down fees may apply, and this fee usually starts at $75, depending on the distance they have to travel, but some contractors say you should budget an additional 20 percent to budget effectively. Since most professionals have to build the arches on site, they will base this fee on the size of the job.
Most balloons will stay afloat for up to 20 hours, both indoors and outdoors, but this will depend on the temperatures outside. If you were to need them to stay afloat longer than this, it could lead to an additional charge.
How to make balloon arches
How can I save money?
If you don’t want to hire your own company, consider creating your own arch. Many party stores have the necessary supplies to create your own arch. For example, on Amazon.com, they have easy-to-use balloon arch kits for about $75.
If you’re going to hire a professional service, make sure that you get as many quotes as possible.
How Much Does an Arden Hills Membership Cost?
Located in Sacramento, California, Arden Hills is known as a beautiful country club, minus the golf.
Open to all guests, the grounds offer a place to work out, receive spa treatments, enjoy a meal or even hold a wedding.
How much does an Arden Hills Country Club membership cost?
A monthly membership, if you were to pay your $1,000 initiation fee up front, would cost $280 per month for one adult or $310 per month if you paid your initiation fee over time at $30 per month. Refer to our table to see what it may cost for a membership. These fees are as of 2017:
| Number of Adults | Number of Children | Initiation Fee | Monthly Dues When Paying Initiation Fee Up Front | Monthly Dues When NOT Paying Initiation Dues Up Front |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | $1,000 | $280 | $310 |
| 2 | 0 | $1,500 | $350 | $395 |
| 2 | 1 | $2,000 | $395 | $455 |
| 2 | 2 | $2,000 | $395 | $455 |
| 2 | 3 | $2,000 | $395 | $455 |
Arden Hills Country Club membership overview
Arden Hills Resort offers an award-winning day spa, in-house salon, 50,000-square-foot fitness facility, swimming, tennis and an onsite private bed and breakfast.
There are wellness programs and social events held at the resort throughout the year. Some of these events include a membership appreciation party, brunch with Santa, Easter brunch, Mother’s Day brunch and much more.
What are the extra costs?
An initiation fee of $1,000 must be paid either upfront or monthly for one member or $1,500 for two members. Adding children can increase the initiation fee to $2,000.
Spa packages can range anywhere from $100 to $300. Refer to the official spa menu for exact prices.
Salon costs are additional.
Tennis lessons, swimming lessons and/or private personal training sessions are additional costs to consider. Tennis clinics and children camps are also available throughout the year.
The in-house restaurant Chavoor, the Bar and Snack Bar are additional costs to consider as well.
The average hotel room rate is $360 per night, according to TripAdvisor.com.
Tips to know:
For membership information, you can fill out the pre-membership information sheet that is available on the official website. You could also email the club to schedule a visit and tour the club.
How can I save money?
There are offers available for Arden Hills club members where they get to enjoy some of the facilities free of charge or at a reduced rate. For instance, in the past, the club offered a $25 discount for every additional swimmer within the family.
How Much Does NFL Game Pass Cost?
NFL Game Pass is the official streaming service of the NFL, accessible via Google Play or iTunes, that offers you the ability to watch NFL games all year.
It offers all regular-season games, live coverage of preseason games, condensed replays, live audio, replays and much more.
How much does an NFL Game Pass subscription cost?
As of 2017, the NFL Game Pass allows you to either pay a one-time payment of $99.99 or via three installments for the United States version. This price, however, can drop as the season progresses. For example, if you were to sign up around week eight, the price could be as little as $74.99. Click here for up-to-date pricing and to sign up.
As for the International version, the average cost is close to $199 for the season, but this price will vary according to the country you live in. Unlike the United States version, however, you will be able to stream games live and watch Redzone during gameday as well.
NFL Game Pass subscription overview
NFL Game Pass offers replays of every game for the entire NFL season with full broadcast replays as you would see on TV or condensed games for about 45 minutes. However, you won’t be able to live stream the games, meaning you will have to wait until the game ends, with the exception of the International version and preseason games. All out-of-market preseason games can be viewed live, and the Internation version, unlike the U.S. version, offers live viewing. A few hours after the game ends, you will be able to watch the game via the app, with the exception of the Monday night game, which, according to users, is available on Wednesday.
Members can also relive some of the NFL’s greatest moments via the Films Archive — a feature that includes some of the most exciting games in NFL history and access to more than 20 Super Bowl matchups.
Even though you’re not able to watch the games live, you can listen to the game live via the Game Day Audio feature.
Other features, as part of the app, includes DVR controls, the capability to stream games from past seasons and access to hit NFL shows and documentaries.
Tips to know:
The domestic version is only available to those who reside in the United States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Guam, Bermuda, Mexico and Antigua. Any countries outside of the above-mentioned countries will have to sign up for the International version.
The condensed games are simply that — condensed. With this feature, you’re able to watch snap after snap without having to sit through players getting back into place, the timeouts or the commercials.
If you’re worried about knowing the scores of a particular game, you can turn off any notifications via the “no spoilers” feature.
NFL Game Pass is available on all devices. NFL Game Pass works on Xbox One, Apple TV, Playstation 4, Roku, Amazon FireTV and AndroidTV. You can also watch it via any Android/iOS tablet, smartphone or via your computer. You can download it via the App Store or Google Play.
How can I save money?
For first-time users, they do offer a free seven-day trial, which you cancel at any time during this period and not be charged.
In some cases, you can often find people selling their accounts on eBay for a heavily discounted price. However, do your due diligence beforehand to ensure you’re buying a legitimate account.
While rare, you may be able to find an NFL Game Pass promo code online by searching Google.
How Much Does Dave and Busters Cost Per Person?
Dave and Busters is an American restaurant and arcade with more than 80 locations in the United States and Canada.
How much does Dave and Busters cost per person?
In the restaurant, Dave and Busters has a large selection of meals that cost an average of $12 to $17 per person, but with a lot of these meals, you can receive a free $10 to $20 Power Card on top of the meal. Like most restaurants, the prices will depend on what you order. You can check out their menu here to see what it may cost you.
Those who want to play billiards will have to pay about $10 per hour.
As for games, most games are going to vary anywhere from $1 to as much as $5, and all games being played will require a Dave and Buster’s Power Card. Refer to our table below to see what the tokens can cost.
| Number of Chips | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 48 | $10 |
| 100 | $20 |
| 135 | $25 |
| 200 | $35 |
| 300 | $50 |
| 550 | $75 |
| 750 | $100 |
NOTE: There may be exceptions to this cost depending on the current promotion being held. Use this as an estimate and assume each game will cost $1 to $4 each.
Dave and Busters overview
Typical locations have a full-service restaurant/bar area, a billiard room, a bar surrounding the arcade, large arcade room and ticket redemption room, which is known as the Winner’s Circle. Some locations also have bowling alleys. Some of their newest games include Zombie Snatcher, Super Shot, Star Trek, Typhoon, Ghostbusters Arcade, Star Wars Battle Pod, Candy Crush Saga, Fishbowl Frenzy, Angry Birds, Big Bass Wheel, Time Crisis 5, Dark Escape 4D, Skee-ball, Mario and Sonic at the Rio Games, Quick Drop, Crossy Road, Grand Piano Keys and Speed of Light.
What are the extra costs?
If you don’t have a Power Card, they will charge $2 to get one; however, they will load the card with 10 chips to make up for the cost. In some cases, they may offer a card for free during certain promotions.
Billiards or shuffleboard, depending on when you go, are going to cost you around $10 per hour to play, and this is paid for separately. This fee will depend on the location, time of the day and day of the week.
All the games at Dave and Busters accept their game card in place of coins. Game cards can be loaded using credits at a recharge station, and every game, as mentioned, has its own specific fee to play. Most games are in the $2 to $5 range, but the newest games and the games that offer the most tickets will typically be the highest cost, often as much as 10 “chips” a play.
At some locations, you may have to pay for parking.
Tips to know:
In order to play the games, you will need to buy a Power Card. This card can be purchased at the front desk when you enter the Dave and Buster’s location. This card, when activated, will be tied to your personal information and you can load any chips to this card at any time via a kiosk inside of the game rooms. Referred to as “chips,” these are the credits that allow you to swipe the card in order to play the games.
Bear in mind that Dave and Buster’s has very strict policies regarding individuals under the age of 18. Their policy requires the under 18 be accompanied by an adult older than 25. All under 18 are required to leave by 10 p.m. unless they are eating a meal.
How can I save money?
Consider buying to save a few dollars or consider buying Power Cards on eBay.
Some locations do offer deals on Groupon.com from time to time. Check out this daily deal website before going to see if you can save.
Sign up for the D&B Rewards on their official website to get $10 in free gameplay.
The best deal, in most people’s opinion, is the Power Hour™, a time when you can play unlimited games for 60 minutes for $10. Valid at participating locations, this deal is often held Monday through Friday, 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. Some locations also have half-off Wednesday from open to close. Check out the website for current promotions since they are always changing.
The more chips you purchase at once, the more you’re going to save. Seeing these chips never expire, consider buying some for the future to bring down the costs or splitting it with your party. Also, look for the “Supercharge” promotions where you can get additional chips added when you spend a certain amount.
If you plan on having a meal, there is almost always a deal where you can get bonus chips with your meal. This is often referred to as the “eat and play” package.
How Much Does Chuck E Cheese Cost?
Chuck E. Cheese’s, previously known as Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza and Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theatre, is a chain of family entertainment centers in the United States. Chuck E. Cheese is the key brand of CEC Entertainment, Inc. and is headquarters in Irving, Texas.
How much does Chuck E. Cheese cost?
The cost of Chuck E Cheese, like any restaurant, will depend on what you want to order. While many items can be purchased a la carte, they do offer packages that combine pizza, drinks and tokens. Refer to our table below to see what it may cost at your local location.
| Package Deals | |
|---|---|
| Med 1 Topping Pizza, 2 Drinks & 20 Tokens | $20 |
| Lg 1 Topping Pizza, 4 Drinks & 40 Tokens | $30 |
| Lg 1 Topping Pizza, 4 Drinks & 90 Tokens | $40 |
| 2 Lg 1 Topping Pizzas, 4 Drinks & 80 Tokens | $50 |
| Tokens | |
| 40 Tokens | $10 |
| 90 Tokens | $20 |
| 150 Tokens | $30 |
| 250 Tokens | $50 |
| Salads & Pizza | |
| All-you-can-eat Salad Bar | $7.50 per person |
| Individual Pizza (6 slices) | $6 |
| Med Pizza (10 slices) | $10 |
| Lg Pizza (12 slices) | $13 |
| Specialty Pizza (BBQ Chicken, Meat, Veggie, Combo, Alfredo or Gluten-Free) | - $13 med - $17 lg |
| Wings | |
| Small (serves 2) | $9 |
| Family (serves 4) | $18 |
| Party (serves 6) | $26 |
| XL Party (serves 8) | $35 |
| A la Carte | |
| Chicken Nuggets | $9 |
| Cheesy Bread | $5.50 |
| Buffalo Cheesy Bread | $7 |
| Parmesan Breadsticks | $4.50 |
| French Fries | $2.50 |
| Cinnamon Breadsticks | $3 |
| Churros | $3 |
| Lunch Buffet (M-F 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) | $6 per person |
NOTE: Refer to this official Chuck E. Cheese pricing PDF for more pricing information.
To learn about the costs of a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party package, we created a guide for this topic as well.
How can I save money?
You can get coupons on their website, via the mail as advertisements or in some newspapers. Be sure to join the Chuck E-Club to receive potential discounts in the future.
Consider buying discounted Chuck E. Cheese gift cards on Raise.com. Here, depending on the gift cards being sold, could save you more than 5 percent.
You can also find coupons and even tokens at a hefty discount on eBay. If you don’t mind waiting a few days, this could be a great way to save as well.
How Much Does KinderCare Cost?
KinderCare, a childcare program offered via the KinderCare company, offer multiple locations throughout the United States.
While most centers offer daycare services, they also offer preschool and kindergarten readiness programs.
How much does KinderCare tuition cost?
According to the official KinderCare Learning Center website, there’s no one-size-fits answer as the tuition rate will vary depending on your region, the number of days per week you need care, the number of hours you need per day, your child’s age and the programs they are enrolled in. Based on these factors, from our research, you should be prepared to spend $180 to $400 per week for a full-time program. The afterschool programs, from what we researched, were about $125 to $150 per week.
With so many factors in play, we researched to see what other parents paid and included our findings inside the table below:
| Program/Age | Prices Quoted |
|---|---|
| 1 year old | $235/week for a full-time program |
| Infant (six months old) | $350/week for a full-time program |
| Infant (four months old) in DC area | $400/week for a full-time program |
| Twin infants (six months old) | $1,500/mo each |
| 2 year old | $175/week for a full-time program |
| Infant (six weeks old) | $287/week for a full-time program |
| Infant (six months old) | $286/week for a full-time program |
| Infant (six months old) | $180/week for two days per week |
| Infant (six months old) | $319/week for a full-time program |
| Infant (three months old) in Minneapolis area | $311/week for a full-time program |
| Four year old pre-K program | $215/week for a full-time program |
According to this Loudoun County, Virginia PDF, they listed the costs for three KinderCare centers in the area, with the prices ranging from $$267 to $323 per week, with the afterschool programs costing an average of $146 per week.
An ABC13 report in Houston, Texas, stated a KinderCare in Friendswood, Texas, is $213 per week.
KinderCare tuition overview
The programs offered at most KinderCare locations include infant programs (6 weeks to 1 year), toddler programs (1 to 2 years), discovery preschool programs (2 to 3 years), preschool programs (3 to 4 years), pre-kindergarten programs (4 to 5 years), before- and after-school programs (5 to 12 years) and a variety of summer programs. All of these programs, however, will vary greatly from location to location as each center will vary.
The care providers, referred to as teachers and educators, are trained by a Kindercare in-house training program before they are allowed inside of the classroom. Depending on the size of the class, there may be more than one teacher and/or assistant.
The cost of the meals is said to be included in the tuition. This will include breakfast, lunch and a snack, all of which are part of a healthy meal program. According to the company, this includes a full balanced meal which consists of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Tips to know:
All KinderCare locations will greatly vary in terms of reviews. It’s always best to read the current reviews online and even visit the location in person to understand how they function and what the overall atmosphere is like. When visiting, you will be able to ask questions, talk with the teachers and will be able to explore the curriculum first hand.
How can I save money?
Discounts are often available for every additional child you place in the program at the same time. According to parents who did this, it’s often another 10 to 15 percent off.
Other discounts may be available as well, such as discounted designed for military families. Be sure to talk with the enrollment office to see if there are any savings available for your situation.
With so many daycare options out there, be sure to consider options. This could include a local school district pre-K program, an in-home-based program or a personal nanny. To compare prices, consider using Care.com to potentially find a qualified babysitter/nanny in your area who could be cheaper than a local chain. Also, being Kindercare is a chain-based daycare center, it doesn’t hurt to compare two to four other locations.
How Much Does Anytime Fitness Cost?
Anytime Fitness is a 24/7 gym franchise that operates more than 3,000 locations in more than 20 countries.
How much does an Anytime Fitness membership cost per month?
The cost of a monthly membership will depend on your local location, but from the numbers we received, members will pay $38 to $60 per month depending on the location. These fees, however, may be lower if you sign a 12-month contract. Aside from this, you will have to pay a one-time $35 key fee and a $50 initiation fee. These one-time fees, however, may be less if a current promotion is being held.
A reviewer for the Petaluma, California claimed she paid $64 a month on Yelp.
| Membership Type | Initiation Fee | Monthly Fee | One-time Key Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $50 | $38 | $35 |
| Couples (Two Adults) | $100 | $60 | $35 |
| Single w/ Annual Commitment | $50 | $34 | $35 |
| Couples w/ Annual Commitment | $100 | $55 | $35 |
NOTE: These were the average prices we recieved when we filled out the email form on their official website. Keep in mind these fees will vary. The annual fees mentioned must be paid in full for the 12 months.
Anytime Fitness membership overview
According to the official website, the gym offers a personalized Get Started Plan when they join, tools and training, access to more than 3,000 locations and a supportive community with like-minded people. This Get Started Plan is a program that often includes complimentary fitness training sessions, nutritional recommendations, and a customized workout plan.
Membership benefits may or may not include the following, depending upon the location: treadmills, ellipticals, cycles, stair climbers, rowing machines, free weights, racks, cable crossovers, kettlebells, amt crosstrainers, personal training, tanning, adaptive motion trainers, Zumba classes, cardio classes, yoga classes, private showers and private restrooms. As all locations are owned by a local franchisee, the amenities will vary.
The one-time key fee, as mentioned prior, allows a member to access the facility at any hour of the day with a personal key fob. All locations offer 24-hour access, 24-hour security, and convenient parking.
What are the extra costs?
Private personal trainers are available for an additional fee. From what we researched, it can cost about $100 for 90 minutes of training time. The clubs offer fitness consultations, group training workouts and private one-on-one assistance.
If available, adding tanning to your membership can be an additional charge. According to members, Anytime Fitness tanning will cost an additional $10 to $20 per month.
Cancellation fees may apply if the contract is terminated early.
A key fob deposit is required upon enrollment, but it will be refunded when you cancel your membership.
Tips to know:
Anytime Fitness was launched in 2008 and has since grown rapidly across the world with more than 2,100 clubs internationally. It is one of the largest 24-hour gym chains in the United States and Australia.
Be wary of the Anytime Fitness cancellation policy as many members have had a hard time. Be sure to read the thousands of complaints on PissedConsumer.com, for example, to see what previous members had to go through to cancel a membership.
Anytime fitness guest passes are not available, and any guests looking to enter the gym will either need to sign up for a free trial to try the gym or sign up for a membership. If a member brings in a guest during after hours, without permission from the gym, will receive a fine on their account, to the tune of $200~.
You can view the Anytime Fitness membership agreement here.
How can I save money?
The gym often advertises on Groupon.com, but this will be entirely up to the local franchise owner as all are independently owned. Before joining, check the daily deal website to see if you can take advantage of any discounts.
At most locations, if you commit for more than a year, the club will often drop the fee by $5 to $10 per month. The same can be said if couples apply for a membership as well.
Check with your employer and/or insurance company to see if they offer any discounts.
You can try the gym for free for up to seven days by visiting their official website. This is offer is limited to first-time club members.
At some locations, you may be able to receive a discount if you recommend a friend or family member.
6 Swimming Pools You Can’t Afford
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If you were told to think about an expensive swimming pool, you would probably think back to the time you took a dip in a large Las Vegas pool, or maybe a olympic-sized pool at your local high school. Sure, while these pools probably cost a pretty penny, these six unique pool took hundreds of thousands, if not billions to build:
6. Sarojin Resort: $1 Million
Known to be one of the most luxurious resorts in the world, the Sarojin Resort is home a 269 square foot pool. Lingering on the edge of the Indian Ocean, guests are able to sit back, relax and even float on pavilions that maneuver around the pool. If that’s not enough, guests are able to schedule a massage while watching the ocean waves come in.
5. Kitchukov Family Pool: $1 Million
While most of these pools are opened to the public, this is one exception. Built by Red Rock Contractors, this pool took more than five months to construct. Featuring a waterslide, fountains and a stunning light display as the sun goes down, the Kitchukov family pool wins the award for the most expensive private pool in America.
4. Nemo 33: $3 Million
At a maximum depth of 108 feet deep, the Nemo 33 pool, located in Belgium, holds more than 660,000 gallons of water and is known as the deepest pool in the world. Known to be the ultimate hot spot to practice your diving skills, this gigantic pool took more than seven years to build and is open to any certified diver. Packed with various underground rooms and tunnels to explore, this is a pool you won’t forget.
3. Hearst Castle: $10 Million
Built in the early 1920s, the Heart Castle, located in California, hosts one of the most luxurious pools in the world. Measuring more than 6,000 square feet, the entire pool area took about $10 million to complete. While it would be hard to replicate this historical art in today’s money, the pool was designed to resemble Roman baths from the past.
2. Seagaia Ocean Dome: $2 Billion
Located in Miyazaki, Japan, the Seagaia Ocean Dome is known as the largest indoor pool in the world. Opened in 1993, the pool was designed to give the residents a place to swim when it was too cold outside. The cool thing? When it gets warm outside, the pool has a retractable roof that can bring the sunshine in. Measuring more than 100 feet long and 328 feet wide, the pool almost resembles a small portion of the ocean you would see at the nearby beach.
1. City of Stars: $5 Billion
Known as the largest pool in the world, the City of Stars pool in Egypt covers more than 21 acres. Using salt-filtering technology, the pool water sources water from the ocean nearby. While the pool is still in its first phase, the pool will measure 0.6 miles longer than the world’s largest pool.
How Much Do Crested Geckos Cost?
The crested gecko, also known as the Guichenot’s giant gecko, New Caledonian crested gecko or eyelash gecko, is a semi-arboreal species of geckos which spend much of their time in low shrubs and small trees. However, they will also look for hiding spots close to the ground to sleep during the day.
Since their rediscovery, crested geckos have become a popular exotic pet.
Compared to the majority of other reptiles on the market, the crested gecko has a docile personality and is an easy keeper.
With proper care, the average lifespan of a captive-bred crested gecko should be around 15 years or more.
How much do crested geckos cost?
On average, a crested gecko can cost anywhere from $20 to more than $300+ for certain colors and patterns. The costs, ultimately, will depend on where you are buying it from, the colors/morph, gender and whether it is a hatchling or an adult.
Refer to our table below to see what the common morphs may cost via a local breeder:
| Morph | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Brindle | $125 |
| Cream | $250 |
| Dalmatian | $100 |
| Dark | $110 |
| Flame | $200 |
| Harlequin | $200 |
| Pinstripe | $150 |
| Red | $175 |
| Yelow | $200 |
At PetSmart.com, for example, the eyelash crested gecko retails for $40.
MorphMarket.com has more than 41 different genes and traits available, with hundreds of listings ranging from as little as $20 to more than $350+. This is an easy-to-use website to see what a particular morph may cost.
Crested geckos overview
At adulthood, the crested gecko measures approximately eight to 10 inches in length, half of which being the tail of the gecko.
In the wild, its skin color varies and new variations have been created by breeders, known as “morphs.” The more popular colors for hobbyists/pet owners are red and orange, and pattern variations, such as brindle and harlequin, are also available.
What are the extra costs?
Crested geckos primarily feed on crickets, mealworms, wax worms, commercial foods, fruits and calcium supplements. All meals should be dusted using calcium powder that includes D3. Expect to spend around $10 a month. Juveniles will need to be fed twice a day, whereas adults will need to eat three to four times per week.
A 20-gallon enclosure tank with an escape-proof lid is considered to be the standard size for a pair of crested gecko, and this type of enclosure setup will usually cost around $30 to $100. Click here to check out the best selling aquariums on Amazon.com.
Inside this tank, you will also need to consider the bedding substrate, such as wood chips, ($5), a small water dish ($2), and lush branches with leaves ($20).
You should change the substrate once every month or whenever it is required. Also be sure to thoroughly clean the terrarium using a reptile disinfectant.
A small heat lamp and bulb will cost roughly $15, while UVA and UVB fluorescent bulbs will cost around $30. A tank should be kept at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit at all times for optimum comfort. The humidity levels should also be kept within the 50 to 70 percent range.
Be prepared for any routine and/or unexpected vet visits. One visit to the vet, without any tests, can easily cost $60.
Tips to know:
A unique feature is its crested scales, which form above the eyes and extend down the neck of the gecko, thereby lending to the alternate name of this reptile — eyelash gecko.
The crested gecko is a reptile species that is native to the islands of New Caledonia, which is a French territory located in Southwest of the Pacific Ocean. The Rhacodactylus genus of geckos also comprises of the giant gecko, gargoyle gecko, as well as the prehensile-tailed tailed gecko, all of which are native to New Caledonia.
Importing any crested gecko species from New Caledonia is prohibited. They can, however, be purchased from captive breeders.
Crested Geckos are good lizards for handling, but when doing so, you should treat them gently, with care and love, allowing them to sit on the hands. Never grab or pick up the gecko by its tail as it will shed its tail as a defense mechanism, and it will not grow back. Reptiles Magazine recommends waiting at least three to four weeks to let them adjust to their environment before handling them.
Males do not get along well with other crested geckos as adults. They will fight, so it’s best to keep one for every enclosure. They can be kept together with a harem of females, provided that the enclosure is large enough to accommodate them.
How can I save money?
Search Craigslist to see if you can find someone giving away their gecko, along with the full setup for a lower-than-average price.
How Much Does a Penguin Cost?
The penguin — an aquatic, flightless bird, highly adapted to life in the water — has a distinct tuxedo-like appearance, known as countershading. This is a form of camouflage which helps keep them safe inside the water. Penguins do possess wing-bones, even though they are flipper-like and really suited to swimming.
These birds, as you probably know, are quite popular attractions in aquatic parks and zoos across the world.
How much does it cost to buy a penguin?
Before thinking about purchasing a penguin, keep in mind, in order to legally own one, you will need a special permit and paperwork from your local state. Plus, a penguin, when adopted, will need to come from a facility that holds a USDA permit. Let’s just say the chances of owning a penguin as a pet is extremely slim.
Depending on its breed, age and the breeder, a penguin can cost anywhere from $500 to more than $20,000 from classified ads we have researched. Since penguins can’t live alone, more than one will likely have to be adopted to ensure they live a healthy life.
What are the extra costs?
As with any animal, they need a constant supply of fish, supplements and vitamins. The average penguin can eat up to 400 pounds of fish per year and must be fed daily — no exceptions. Feeding one can cost close to $1,000 per year, greatly depending on the type of fish you choose.
Penguins will need a large habitat with vegetation, temperature control a deep pool of salt water. A habitat can cost tens of thousands of dollars and maintenance, especially for the water, can reach well into the thousands annually.
Penguins are social birds, and most species swim, feed, and nest in groups. During the breeding season, certain species form large groups, also known as rookeries’, will include thousands of penguins. Each penguin has got a distinct call, allowing the individuals to find their mate and chicks even in large groups. The king and emperor penguins lay only one egg while all other penguin species lay two eggs. As mentioned, penguins will need to be in groups to live a natural, healthy lifestyle.
Permits, as mentioned, can be an additional cost to consider.
As with any pet, routine and unexpected vet bills need to be factored in. Seeing this is considered to be an exotic pet, it may be hard to find a local vet who’s willing or has the knowledge to work with this type of pet. With that being said, a vet, if they were to travel to your location, could charge much more than a local office.
Tips to know:
Penguins are flightless marine birds and an iconic figure in the avian world. They inhabit every continent within the Southern Hemisphere, from the tropical Galapagos Islands situated near South America where the Galapagos penguin inhabits to Antarctica where the emperor penguin resides in. All penguins belong in family Spheniscidae.
The precise number of species of penguin is a subject of discussion, with estimates ranging from 15 to 19 distinct species. The smallest penguin variety is the Little Blue Penguin of New Zealand and Australia, which stands at 14 inches, and the largest is the Antarctic Emperor Penguin, topping out at an impressive four feet when fully grown. Other varieties include the Adelie, African, Chinstrap, Gento, Galapagos, Humboldt, King, LIttle, Magallanic, Macroni, Rockhopper, Royal, Snares and Yellow-Eyed.
In all instances, penguins have essentially retained the same coloration, having dark backs and pale bellies.
Penguins can spend up to about 75 percent of their lives in water as they conduct all of their hunting in the water and their prey can be found within 60-feet of the water surface, so penguins have no need to swim in the deep waters.
Penguins catch prey in their beaks and then swallow whole even as they swim. Certain species only leave the water for breeding and molting.
Generally, penguins species closer to the equator will eat more fish and those closer to Antarctica eat more krill and squid.
The penguin coloration assists it in hunting seafood like fish and crustaceans since the dark back camouflages these penguins from the predators above, while their white belly makes them less visible to the prey from below.
Most penguin species are endangered and are illegal to purchase or keep as pets in the United States. You can find specific information in regards to the legalities of owning a penguin by going to USDA.gov.
Buying a penguin shouldn’t even an option. Consider “adopting” a penguin via an adoption program that could be available at your local zoo.
