Today show, living on half budget

[rachel2007a]

Originally Posted by oceanbreeze saved $500 that week, did i read that right? Man i only wish i had that much "extra" money for things that are wants not needs. She's spoiled and i don't see her going without these things next week.

They usually spend $660 a week and dropped it to $109.

She seemed extremely naive.....

Kellybelly - I would LOVE to see a HCW segment on how to cut costs!!

[emotley]

Completely laughable! And this country wonders why its in the mess it in.

[Dreams4us4]

OMG!!! I was watching this also and was just shaking my head through it all!! I agree with you all, cutting out pedicures and a house cleaner...oh poor her.

Yes all of those things were unnecessary and living with out them didn't seem to hurt them at all, seems like they had lots of family time (washing the car, feeding the ducks). These are things we do as a family all the time and we really enjoy them and don't feel like we are missing out.

Just this morning we turned up the ipod and jammed while we cleaned up from breakfast, I don't need to cut out anything from the budget to do that!!

[extechy]

What I don't get is she can still have perfectly painted nails and toes. Just do them yourself. I bought a hand and foot bath/soakers and got ideas from beauty magazines.

She can also have fine dining at home. The website topsecretrecipes.com is awesome.

I don't know what kind of lawn she has, but paying a kid $20 bucks should at least keep it looking neat and trimmed. Better yet, she could inspire her husband to cut the darn grass and save $80 off paying a kid.

This is ridiculous.

[MariaT]

Originally Posted by extechy What I don't get is she can still have perfectly painted nails and toes. Just do them yourself. I bought a hand and foot bath/soakers and got ideas from beauty magazines. .

Not to mention she could get the nail polish free at any one of the national pharmacies ...

[Jiji]

Consider the source - NBC.

[hotcouponmama]

I wrote the today show to tell them we were appalled by this segment and that they did a disservice to their viewers for whom those items aren't even in the budget, and that they should have promoted a segment that would give strategic advice to their viewship!

[extechy]

Originally Posted by MariaT Not to mention she could get the nail polish free at any one of the national pharmacies ...

Right, lol!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Well the HCW way is to be frugal in many areas so that if you can afford it you can splurge here and there. I take my car to the car wash, and I get a starbucks everynow and then. But I am frugal in other areas of my life. Starbucks is my grocery shopping night splurge and the car wash is a time saver and I have heard is better for the environment than washing it at home.

And I don't see anything wrong with hiring someone to mow your lawn (I did when my DH was in Korea, I could do it myself sure but didn't want to) or cleaning your house if that floats your boat. I guess what I don't understand is folks that do those extras and then complain about the cost of groceries or not having money for needs.

It's when the keeping up with the Jones and having everything and living a certain lifestyle becomes automatic and people don't think about it and beleive that those that others consider extras are not needs.

[buddysmom]

Originally Posted by hotcouponmama I wrote the today show to tell them we were appalled by this segment and that they did a disservice to their viewers for whom those items aren't even in the budget, and that they should have promoted a segment that would give strategic advice to their viewship!

Exactly! I am so tired of all these "cost cutting ideas" that they are promoting lately. As if its trendy to be watching the budget suddenly. Our local paper has been having a daily idea on the front page. Brilliant thoughts like "turn off the lights in rooms you aren't using", "Wash clothes in warm or cold water - not hot." Ugh!!!