Today show, living on half budget

[couponaddicted10]

The clip though, was at least positive... The kids going to a pool, instead of somewhere they would spend money was a great idea... Neighborhood libraries, and renting movies for free could have been mentioned as well...

We cant' really expect the media to tell people that they truly don't need to spend as much as they think they do. They can still go to the movies, but go to the movies with free tickets. Frugality is a lifestyle, and one that many people simply don't understand, arent' interested in, or don't care for. Everyone can't be a "catfish".... lol

[extechy]

Originally Posted by couponaddicted10 The clip though, was at least positive... The kids going to a pool, instead of somewhere they would spend money was a great idea... Neighborhood libraries, and renting movies for free could have been mentioned as well... We cant' really expect the media to tell people that they truly don't need to spend as much as they think they do. They can still go to the movies, but go to the movies with free tickets. Frugality is a lifestyle, and one that many people simply don't understand, arent' interested in, or don't care for. Everyone can't be a "catfish".... lol

Haven't you heard? Apparently, frugal is the new black.

Is frugal the new black? - Retail - MSNBC.com

[couponaddicted10]

Originally Posted by Mothernature 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

lol...but atmosphere and the feelings people get from experiences are important as well... If that's her indulgence, then cutting back in other areas, and keeping that might be important to her...

I think too many people take an "all or nothing approach"... I sincerely doubt that she'll stop getting the pedicures and manicures... I think it would have been better to fit that into the budget... As far as mall shopping..I think I saw that..nice thrift stores can provide that experience relatively cheaply...

[ironeagle48162]

$660 a week for spending?! That's twice as much as I bring home every week in my paycheck! /picks self up from floor/ Even DH's weekly take-home is lucky to break the $600 mark. Judging by the rundown of her spending, that figure doesn't include any bills, either.

I've always believed that if you are able to do something yourself, then do it. Hire others only for the stuff you can't/don't know how to do. DH and I entirely re-landscaped our front yard this past spring for less than $200. We painted our own house, replaced our own water heater, and installed our own new toilets. There are things that we have/will have to hire others to do as our home remodeling project progresses, like lay carpet and tile, because we don't know how. The way customer service (isn't that term an oxymoron by now?) is nowadays, doing things ourselves always turns out better anyway. Even if I did have money like that woman does, I am so sick of fighting with people to do their jobs that I'd rather figure things out on my own if I can. Yardwork, cleaning house, and washing cars helps burn more calories anyway. Doing all that stuff means I only have to work out 30-45 minutes doing a workout DVD instead of an hour.

As far as manis/pedis go, I'd rather do them myself in the comfort of my own home than go somewhere that reeks of chemicals. Plus you have to sit there and wait for a tech to get to you; even if you go somewhere you can make an appointment, you have to wait for a few minutes. I'm too impatient to wait on someone else.

If she wants to live that lifestyle, that's her own business. I just hope she teaches her kids to take pride in their work and show them they have the power and smarts to do things on their own.

I sure don't want that kind of life for myself, though. I'm a self-reliant kind of gal. Even DH complains that I'm too independent and that I never need him!

[MariaT]

I watched the video now too. In all fairness to her though she put in effort and everyone needs to start somewhere. She DID save money.
I wonder now if she learned any lessons from this and will continue to apply them.
I, too, can afford a pedicure every week. But living this lifestyle for the past few years I've gotten use to seeing that money being put elsewhere - i.e. our mortgage to be paid off early. My priorities have dramatically shifted but it wasn't overnight. I'd like to see a follow up story on her.

[faeryedark]

Originally Posted by 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.

We like to eat out too, but DH says it's often a disappointment because I can cook just as well (sweet isn't he?)
As for car washes and such nost places have a booklet that gives out coupons and discounts to local businesses incl. car washes. Our sheetz gives discounts or sometimes free car washes for buying 8 or more gallons at a time.
This thread made me wonder, what's going on with the family for Wife Swap thing. Is somebody from here gonna do it?

[MaryMary]

I do not really care what this family does with their money, that's their business, but this clip is definitely deceiving. Whatever she called budget is really a "sinking fund", money for easy to avoid variables. Even groceries are not as important to them, they are going to eat 3 times per week.

If you are an average family with mortgage, phone, electricity and heating bills along with car payments in their budget, would you be able to cut their budget in half by eliminating movies, pedicures and car washes?

[cherishedt]

But this family obviously has the money to do all this... they seem well off with a Lexus SUV and the beautiful house. I think they were only trying to see if they could "survive" on half a paycheck for a week. These were not people crying financial disaster They did a great job cutting things out that you or I would think is ridiculous, but to people who make a good livivng, this is their way of life.

[cheynesnana]

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5 (I did when my DH was in Korea, I could do it myself sure but didn't want to)

Where in Korea was he?? I spent 8 years there..