i have both.
Snakes are cheaper if you do the normal petshop runs for food.
I was breeding crickets while they were 6 weeks to 8 months old or so that must have saved me hundreds.
I had too many crickets in the end, and would be giving some away every week or 2.
Now that my 2 bearded are onto a heap of vegies (i think they go more crazy for vegies than crickets or woodies) its pretty cheap.
I havent found the smell to be too bad but i do clean em every 2 days. I have 2 bits of astro turf the same size for their cage, so i just sit em on my shoulder while i rip the old one out and chuck the new clean one in. Then i just disinfect and hose of the dirty one ready for the the next clean. I am in a good rhythm now so its easy.
If you have been used to snakes and thinking bout beardies.. just get one brother! I couldnt be any happier hey, they are like lil children sometimes. They have sooks and show their love more! much bigger personalities.
Main problem i have found is: Feeding when they are young. Mine were abit slow to start, but once they get over their new surroundings and feel abit more secure they turn into little pigs
Only now at the 9 month or so mark have they started slowing down and starting to prefer their vegies more.
Tip: If you have a glass tank, make sure they have plenty of hides and places to feel secure. Once i put up a few bits of cardboard (so all sides werent glass) they started feeling much better. You could just tell.
Now they are used to it (they are in a high traffic area, they watch us cook and clean and have dinner lol) they are fine and seem to just show off abit when people are around.
wow sunday rant... soz