Many of Life's Best Investments Don't Fit on a Spreadsheet

Bookkeeping Influencer: Heather Russell

I'm a bookkeeper. Over the past 25 years, crunching numbers and spreadsheets for all kinds of industries, I've learned that many of life's best investments aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet. Case in point: my children and my dogs.

I've yet to meet a child who doesn't beg for a furry friend, and dogs top the wish list, with Labs often stealing the #1 spot for their goofy loyalty.

But move over, retriever. The French have taken over. According to the AKC, the Labrador retriever has been dethroned after its 31-year reign of terror (not!) by the French bulldog. Be prepared to shell out between $1,000 and $8,000 for a Frenchie.

Here's my pitch to parents: Adopt. Adopt. Adopt. There's a perfect match waiting for you and your kids right now at local shelters—puppies, kittens, senior pets. Pet adoption is a win-win. You're not just granting your kid's wish; you're saving a life. Those little (or big) creatures will be loved and cared for—maybe for the first time.

Every shelter visit guarantees a connection, a burst of happiness, and a future best friend for your children. That happiness is contagious. And as a bookkeeper, I can tell you: That's one balance sheet that always adds up.