Today show, living on half budget

[rachel2007a]

So they just ran a video of a family that lived on half their budget for one week.

WHAT A CROCK! She gave up her pedicure/manicure, getting the car washed, getting the lawn mowed, going out to eat 3 times that week, going to the movies, and took 1 trip to the farmer's market.

She will go back to the pedicure and will get her house cleaned(less often) and will still go out to eat.

It would have been better to see them do this for a month or longer.

Just venting because it was not helpful really and I was not impressed.

I cannot find the video they were showing, or even an article on the website.

[MaryMary]

Originally Posted by sarahbel So they just ran a video of a family that lived on half their budget for one week. WHAT A CROCK! She gave up her pedicure/manicure, getting the car washed, getting the lawn mowed, going out to eat 3 times that week, going to the movies, and took 1 trip to the farmer's market. She will go back to the pedicure and will get her house cleaned(less often) and will still go out to eat. It would have been better to see them do this for a month or longer. Just venting because it was not helpful really and I was not impressed. I cannot find the video they were showing, or even an article on the website.

A full weekly budget included mani/pedi, eating out 3 times, going to the movies, etc. Nice budget.
She probably felt like a martur giving up all that for a whole week...

[rachel2007a]

I think she felt that she was giving up so much.

They ended up "saving" about $500 that week according to the video. She did not go on a regular shopping trip at the grocery store that I could tell. The budget weekly for that is $150.

[MaryMary]

IMO, saving is when you'd get the same or comparable item(s) for less or can avoid this article of spending altogether.
Can they go without eating out 3 x per week or at least make it 1 time without going over their regular 1 visit spending?
Can they wash their car and mow lawn themselves?
Can they spend $100 instead of $150 on groceries per week without sacrificing quality and amounts?
Can they go without paid cable channels at all?
Can they go to a different cinema with cheaper tickets? In our area movie tix prices vary from $10.50 to $2.

That's what I call savings.

[southernbird]

A pediure has never been in my budget. What she gave up was not neccessities. What were they trying to prove?

[gettinrevvin2007]

...someone ought to show them how it's really done. lol.
sarahbel, I would've been disappointed too.

[MrsPinecone]

I think that they were trying to prove that a lot of people have many unnecessary items in their "budget".

[MaryMary]

Originally Posted by MrsPinecone I think that they were trying to prove that a lot of people have many unnecessary items in their "budget".

ummm, if that's their point, they are unsuccessful: she is going back to most of the initial spending.

[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.

[Kellybelly]

Originally Posted by southernbird A pediure has never been in my budget. What she gave up was not neccessities. What were they trying to prove?

I was less than impressed with what she gave up for the week. I have never had a pedicure, nor have I ever been to Starbucks. We clean our own house, and wash our vehicles ourselves. I can understand that they were trying to point out their wasteful spending habits. However, for those of us who are not self indulgent, the news segment had no effect.

However, if they had interviewed folks on HCW it would have been an incredibly enlightening news segment.