Today show, living on half budget

[Jiji]

Originally Posted by buddysmom 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!!!

Exactly, smart people have been doing this for years!!

[Dreams4us4]

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!

Good for you!! Keep us updated, if you get a response, would love to know what they have to say.

[MaryMary]

Did they say if this woman was complaining about lack of money for needs? She was "suffering" without manicure for a week, but said she'll go back to the same spend items of her list.
So where is a saving point? doing occasional "fasting"?

[Mothernature]

msnbc.com Video Player

Here is the video.

She pays $150 a week on groceries for 4? Even at my worst, I paid no more than $120/ 2 weeks. I usually paid $80/2 weeks in the LOND.

I know you guys balk at the video but there are many families who live like this. I can think of several in my own family.

They clearly are not a healthy family. They eat at meat a fill and drink caffeine habitually.

As far as car washes, if one uses Dawn or 7th generation and water, it is much more ecologically friendly. The water is used by your lawn, the dish washing soap is almost harmless to the ecological environment, and you are not polluting the environment future by using coal or nuclear energy to run the car wash.

The manner the car is washed in this video is not environmentally friendly.

[extechy]

OMG, I just read about this on another website. There are more details about this family on that website.

She's a SAHM, sending her kids to daycare? And she has someone clean her home? And they eat out often? What the heck do she do all day besides getting manicures and pedicures?

[hotcouponmama]

Ok, I watched the video....

I have to admit - I am spoiled. I do have someone who cleans the house, but I am so frugal in other areas and DH and I decided early on in our marriage that having a housekeeper would save us since I am not the housekeeper type. So we use our coupon savings towards that.

And I don't care how much free hair color I could get, I wouldn't attempt to do it at home. But I also don't paint my nails or toes or have others do that either - I am just not "girly" that way. I've had the same eyeshadow since I was 19.

But this gal was beyond over the top. Someone said earlier this is what's wrong with this country, and I have to think on some level, they might be right.

$25 for a carwash? I take mine down the hill and get it done for $5. It's a time saver and I do it 2x per month and carwashes are proven to use less water than running your own hose. Plus, I am also of the thought to support local businesses when I can so that's a good way for me to do it.

But this woman is beyond belief to me. My neighborhood is full of moms like this (which is why we commute our children out of the area for school) and I just can't wrap my head around it.

We like to eat out as much as the next person, but there's something to preparing a meal with your family and eating at home around the table.

Oh well, she's definitely part of the consumerism statistics.

[Mothernature]

I sent the video to my husband. This is his reply:

"Who knew cutting out pedicures could save money?"

It is all about financial priorities. My priority is pay for our schooling oop sans loans, retire early, travel frequently, and establish self-sufficiency (solar and wind power home. solar/electric car, and my own garden).

If one just washes a car and turns off during soap, it is almost impossible to use more water than a car wash.

[couponaddicted10]

Getting a pedicure once a week, really isn't imo far reaching. What she could do, is see if she can find beauty schools in her area that offer a discount. A manicure/pedicure, might be $20 or so a week... If that's her "special time", then the $20 might be worth it. Permanently cutting out eating out three times a week, washing their own car, and cutting their own grass would be an easy way to put a dent in expenses.

Most of these savings segments aren't helpful, and often aren't meant to be. They often present someone whose lifestyle is a little higher than the average viewer, and few of the 'cost cutting measures', are truly beneficial... The morning news though, is a poor place to look for information and inspiration though...

[snippers3]

I didn't see the segment. And while I do not pity her for not being able to get her pedicures, I also do not like to put others down for choices they make with their money. Not everyone is financialy savvy, nor have the ambition or motivation to cut coupons, or find new ways to save or make extra money.

Since I do not know her families financial situation, I cannot comment on what is or is not "neccessary".

To each their own. But I don't think it's right to jump all over someone for making what others deem "stupid money moves"

[Mothernature]

Originally Posted by couponaddicted10 Getting a pedicure once a week, really isn't imo far reaching. What she could do, is see if she can find beauty schools in her area that offer a discount. A manicure/pedicure, might be $20 or so a week... If that's her "special time", then the $20 might be worth it. Permanently cutting out eating out three times a week, washing their own car, and cutting their own grass would be an easy way to put a dent in expenses.

The friends could do the manicures. It isn't that difficult. It would cost $2'ish for the nail polish, $2 for the coating, $1 for the nail file, and a few dollar for the cuticle remover and other ends.

The pedicure would cost $7 for a Ped egg (Ebay) and a $1 for the toe separators. She would already have the supplies from the manicure. As long as she washes the tools in the dish washer, it is safe.

Of course, we would pay $0 for all of the above; she doesn't function at this level of thriftiness