How America's Cheapest Family Lives(Part 1)Tips to Save Money w/ Kids
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- Craig Day a reporter from Tulsa, Oklahoma spent a day with Steve and Annette Economides and their kids. This MoneySmart Family is also known in the media as America's Cheapest Family. Craig was curious about how a family of 7 could live so well on so little.
How to save money when you have a family with kids. It can be done! Learn about the budget system we've used since day one of our marriage - it helped us pay off our home in 9 years, pay cash for cars and helped our go to college without student loans. www.moneysmartf...
We talk about our how we shop and save money on groceries, clothes and how we maintain a comfortable frugal lifestyle. Craig had so much information to take back with him that he posted additional clips on different topics such as vacations, kids and money, contentment and others - view those in part 2
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Please watch: "America's Cheapest Family- How we got started, How We Live Life and Save Money"
• America's Cheapest Fam...
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They are not cheap. They are smart.
Thank you Teresa!
I was gonna say, these people aren’t storing piss in a jug or washing their dishes in the pool. These people are more money savvy than cheap!
Just live on chicken breast and spinach or broccoli like I did for a year. Green tea and water. And fresh fruit. Cheap and super healthy. You wont be spending on hospital or prescriptions. So you save a fortune there.
+PROJECT DX That's what I've been doing.Chicken breast Zucchini and spinach.They usually have a sale on these items at my local safeway and it's just better than eating boxed food.
good idea,
I agree
Good for you DX, living within your budget and enjoying what you eat are all good things.
My house used to be home to 8 people including 4 teenage foster sons. I spent about $300. a month on food. We ate well, I mean very well. I never bought junk food, snack food or boxed cereals. My kids were always exceptionally well dressed as well and yes, I used to shop at thrift stores (still do). I shopped only at one grocery store and never used coupons. Please note that I live in Canada and groceries are more expensive here. Also coupons are just a waste of time here/no bargains at all. We all ate the same food, roast beef, boneless/skinless chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, no convenience foods.
+peggyt1243
Forget the Economides'.
YOU win!!
peggyt1243 omg, YOU need to share with us how YOU did it, teenage boys eat a lot!
Thanks for the tips Peggy!
I don't know how anyone can leave a negative comment on this family they have brought up there family ,fed them well ,dressed them well and put them through collage and all on one mans job plus they have a nice home and no debts all I can say to them is WELL DONE I REALLY ADMIRE YOU
WHEN WE SEE THE WAY THE WORLD IS RIGHT NOW AND PEOPLE WORSHIPING THEM FOOL CELEBRITIES WHO ARE FAMOUS FOR NOTHING BUT SHAKING THERE BUTTS THIS FAMILY ARE MY HEROS and if I ever get to go to America I would love to meet and talk with them
Michelle, you made our day!! Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. When you do come to America we want to meet you. Be sure to put Arizona into your travel plans!!!!!
+MoneySmartFamily hello! It's all true I love bargain hunting I brought up two kids on my own and have learned over the years how to save money
And I'm always telling others how to get bargains and yes it's about being happy with what you have ! My son is a pastor and visits Arizona quite often but I'm afraid the heat would kill me:-( ile have to buy your book ) may God continue to bless you and your family ,some people are snobs and they won't wear clothing from charity shops ,not me I love it when I buy a really good item and someone says oh ! that's nice and I say thank you I got it for a £1 in the charity shop and I see there face ha ha ! It's so funny!
Love your outlook on life! Come to Arizona in the Fall, Winter or Spring - it's beautiful. We have mountains, desert and lakes - you'd love it. The heat is hard to handle in the summer, but the rest of the year is BEAUTIFUL!
+Jessica Usher thanks for the comment. It's not so exciting when it's 111 degrees outside . . . but we do love living here. There are so many great deals nearby- just did @Goodwill half price day today! Wow - huge deals! love it!
+MoneySmartFamily hi :-) if I ever get to go to the U.S.A i would loooooove! To go to goodwill store but I think I'd need a bigger plane to bring me home with all the stuff I would want to bring back .😆 its very expensive where I live as im a hundred miles from the shops it's very rural here
"We focus too much on what we don't have" wow!!!! Very very good!
Thanks for commenting - it is sooooo true. We've got to take time to enjoy what we have, even if it's just a little bit.
I caught chicken leg quarters on sale for 40 cents per pound, and bought 250 pounds. We took it home, separated it, and double-packed it in those plastic grocery bags. Stuck it in the chest freezer. This happens a lot, and it's not by accident.
Good for you Karen, what a great shopper!
anyone with a functioning brain knows you buy basic ingredients, not ridiculously overpriced pre-made garbage if you want to save money on groceries, you don't go shopping once a month, you go as often as possible so you don't miss out on sales and marked down produce and you check expiry dates on things like milk so you know ahead of time what day they'll be marked down.
Maltfalc You can still go shopping once a month to save on gas. You can freeze some produce, such as green beans and colored squash. As well as fish like cod, salmon, and mackerel. Keep a calendar on your fridge to state the dates you go shopping, and to plan out the times when you will cook your food items. Then you can decide the day in advance when to thaw out the foods in the refrigerator. Shopping all at once will give you the benefit of knowing EXACTLY how much you will spend for the coming month.
+toastiecake nice counter argument
You're only looking at saving on food, there's a bigger picture here and saving overall doesn't just take into account your grocery bill.
Interesting perspective, just don't agree with it. Studies have shown, the more often you go to the grocery store, the more you spend!
@@MoneySmartFamily bullshit
They have a lot of good ideas,,maybe I should have started that way and I probably wouldn't be broke today.
It's never to late to start.
For people criticizing them for purchasing processed food, 1. It was kind of them to open up their home and offer this advice to people. 2. It's their money and what they feed five, busy active kids on a small income is their business, so are their medical bills, so is their health and the health of their children. 3. There are a lot of people that "shop the farmer's market" or "buy produce in season" but have car payments - big ones! They have credit card and student loan debt or they're house-poor. Nitpicking about their grocery choices is missing the bigger picture. The Economides are debt free! Eighty percent of Americans are not. And over half of America lives paycheck to paycheck. The Economides do not.
You are so sweet to defend us. Thank you. What we've learned is that often the biggest critics are often the most wounded or empty. They need affirmation that their choices are "better" than everyone else so that they can feel superior or in some way fulfilled. We know that there are many ways to achieve debt freedom and a healthy lifestyle. The criticisms about eating highly processed foods and poor health are unfounded and if you think about it, someone making these judgments about a family's life after watching a 3-minute video yet just another indication of their condition. Could you accurately and completely sum up your life in 3 minutes? We love sharing ways to save money, save time and build family unity - it's our passion and our calling. Thanks again for being a voice of reason and love amidst the shallow, short-sighted people who want to build themselves up by dragging others down!
How did I get from looking up DIY bunk beds with slides to this
RUclips recommended list.
Cheap not poor people. Cheap makes money go further but you still have some money Left over poor is making what little you have go further but you don't have anything in your pocket in the end to live off of.
Erin May People who choose frugality are seldom the poor people. Poor people often try to live as though they're not poor ... hence their continued poverty.
They're not poor? 35k a year is considered not poor in America? Here you qualify for financial assistance. I mean they're cheap and poor, but they do not look like they're poor, I was shocked to hear how little they make. I make way more than them and if I was supporting myself it would be difficult and even still I would be considered poor because I don't make 70k+
Right on Cecili!
Annette is so right. It IS fun! It takes time, but once you get use to it, you're addicted. I love looking for bargains now. And, the money I save goes in the bank or for something else I need or want.
Spending money on great deals and saving the difference is addictive . . . and fun - Keep going, it just keeps getting better.
they're so right about debt being oppressive...but they'd save even more money if they ate healthier foods because eating packaged crap will cost you your long term health
AnotherBadyoga... I know that was my concern too. On top of that. Usually dry groceries have a very short life for expiration date. This system would be good for big families who's not concern about their health... just saying
Cee & AnotherBadyoga, one trip to the grocery store does not equal what we eat on a daily basis. Please watch some of our produce videos!
AnotherBadyoga maybe invest in some vegetable boxes to grow organic fruit vegetables
Totally agree with Annette being frugal is fun. Having strategies and plans to shop the specials and see your savings add up! Super exciting!
Thanks for your kind words - it's a game for us. Just wish we had more time to find deals and give them away.
After seeing my credit card bill and freaking out, I've been looking into ways to live more simply and save money and I really appreciate these tips. Also though, I think you sometimes need to change your mindset- for example, my idea of unwinding and having fun was going shopping somewhere and then getting lunch and drinks. If your hobby involves spending a lot of money, or even just a moderate amount but doing it OFTEN, it's time to find better ways to spend your time.
you're on the right track. identifying our source of overspending is the first step to conquering it. now you have the opportunity to be creative when you want something that you don't have the money for. you'll be amazed at the options you do have when you say no to credit and yes to creativity!
I like this family 💯💯
Thanks, Blossom!
you guys reminds me of most Asian families lol. we're smart cheap I'd say.
"Smart Cheap" love it!!
I’m Asian and my family cooks everything from scratch. Grandma hates eating in a restaurant. She said she can cook better 👌❤️. We have a garden with fruit bearing trees such as mango, coconut, papaya, etc also ginger, chillies, tomatoes and onions. We only have 1 tv and an internet. No cable and no going out for 🎥. We usually watch Netflix or old movies through the Internet. We love watching classics such as Sherlock Holmes by Jeremy Brent.
The coincidence with their name is brilliant!
Yes, is it a coincidence, or did that influence the decision? I wonder if it's even a 'stage name' to give the family some privacy.
Thanks for your humorous response. Really a stage name? Economides is a Greek surname - it means "son of a steward." No, we didn't choose our last name, but we did choose to live out the meaning. Stewarding our resources and encouraging others to do the same. Thanks for watching!!!
MoneySmartFamily terrific name, and I have great respect for you folks. I am also very thrifty, so I love watching things like this.
Thanks Anjali!
One of my best friends in high school had the same last name. It's a pretty cool name. :)
Next step should be to start eating healthy, not only canned and boxed food. Shopping once a month, I take it you never buy fresh vegetables and fruit?
Mikael - we buy lots of fresh fruits and veggie. We eat the most perishable first and the heartiest last. We freeze lots of berries and veggies. Nutritionally frozen is virtually the same as fresh. As our kids got older and were eating more, we'd go to the store in the middle of the month to pick up additional fruits and veggies. Still kept our food budget at about 60 percent less than average.
I do this all the time. I stock up on all my cheap meat, pantry goods, and staples.
Then we go to the farmers market and I buy Organic fresh Veggies for the week for $15. We can get with $15 two LARGE heads of romaine (enough to split in half for four meals worth), one bunch carrots, one stock of celery, assorted greens ( 2 large bunches we can split),
radishes, potatoes, and onion.
The seller offers a 3/$5 deal on veggies and a $1 for herbs.
Every other week I’ll spend an extra $5 and buy a bunch of thyme, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, and sage which I’ll freeze and use for the next two weeks. All of which is larger than store bought and unlike the produce I can get at the grocery store Organic for way less.
Annette was right when she said bargain hunting can be addicting! lol I am now a coupon clipping, bargain hunting nut! lol
True words!
Smart ,very smart !!!
deepa zaki thanks for watching. we love making frugal fun! you can probably do it even better than us.
+MoneySmartFamily probably thanks you for these videos very helpful
Save even more...grow a garden for fresher veggies.
Gardens are costly watering , fertilizer, getting rid of bugs and creatures that will destroy your garden.
We couldn't agree more. Also, plant native fruit bearing trees for your climate.
This isn't being cheap its being smart cheap is reusing PAPER towels and toilet paper you wanna see real cheapskates watch extreme cheapskates
Correct!
it is smart to save, I just stood in line on boxing day to buy a 900 dollar couch for the door crasher price of 199$ it was worth the 4hrs wait in line
Good for you Mary!
They (the Economides Family) have the right last name. I love how they plan for spending. Good job!
Thanks Lady!
I'm proud I'm debit free. We paid our house off a year ago at 34 years old. No car payments. Completely debit free. Raising 4 kids. Just bought our son a vehicle with cash and I'm a homemaker. My husband doesn't make a huge salary but we are happy. Its not what u spend on your kids its the time u spend with them. That's what true happiness is.
Well said Brandy!
I have a very large family so we shop for Christmas year round and put things away we find on sale. We also will buy discontinued grocery items for often a savings of 50 to 90 percent (not expired food . some examples are a purchase of 200 raviolis for 3.99 .the grocer was discontinuing them because not enough consumers were buying the 200 pack (original price of 8.00)in december the half gallons of pumpkin pie ice cream are marked down to 99 cents a half gallon ) Our children also wear American eagle, Forever21, Holister , UnderAmour like new clothing bought at thrift stores for a fraction of the original price. It may take a few visits and alot of time but to me the savings are worth it.
Kittens this is great to hear. It sounds organized, fun and rewarding!
I just have to say, you CAN eat healthy on the cheap. They are making choices based on food they like... Eating locally and in-season are two of the best ways to both stay healthy and stay on budget. Farmers Markets here are cheaper than chain stores and a lot more nutritionally dense.
I also love the garden idea!! A lawn is a huge waste of money...
so true Katheranne
Yep. Frozen veggies are a buck. Seasonal is cheap. Aldi, sprouts, etc too
I wish we have good thrift stores where I live.but. there is not.i. buy clearance and shop sales and use coupons for clothes. I buy used purses.but. Will not buy used stores
Gardens are great IF you're physically able to tend them and have healthy soil to grow in. My home rests on contaminated soil so my options are very limited. Farmer's Markets here are slightly cheaper than grocery stores - but not by much...and in the Midwest they only have fresh produce less than half the year. You also have to have people willing to eat it - my husband wouldn't touch most of the produce from the farmer's market this year so I either had to pay grocery store prices for his produce (and whatever we were going to use to cook with) or watch his health deteriorate from just eating junk instead. If only life were as easy as you make it appear to be.
Raised beds on laid down layers of heavy mil plastic, Or even indoor garden systems will help greatly.
"Get up today and just start doing something." (Something many people do not do.)
Good words Jeffrey!
But they aren't healthy foods.
Your right about those Gummy Tarantulas those aren't healthy . . . don't even think we bought them . . . but really, there were Country Style pork ribs, granola bars, and a couple of boxes of sweet cereal. The rest of the items were produce. It's kind of hard to judge a lifestyle based on a 3 or 6 minute video produced by a videographer who is trying to tell their interpretation of a story. Andrew, let us know when you're in Phoenix and we can have you over for some of our "unhealthy" - cooked from scratch meals.
I read the book and loved it. I'm already a frugal shopper - Goodwill, Aldi's, Dollar Tree, etc. However, the videos help keep me on task and I love seeing food savings you get.
+Vickie Allen Thanks for your encouraging words. We all need to hang with friends who urge us on - your comment helps energize us to keep making more and better videos. Keep living the frugal life!
I'm picturing the people who down voted this video as having unpaid bills reaching to the ceiling, being way overweight, hanging over their keyboard dropping cookie crumbs into the keyboard while slurping on a extra large soda. Am I close?
Charles, we have no idea, and would hate to judge others or make assumptions when we don't know an individuals situation.
Thank you, MoneySmartFamily. Charles' comment, IMO is inappropriate and rude. Maybe he should take a look in his own mirror before proceeding to judge others.
My husband and I are overweight and like soda. We just went through debt relief and settled $60,000 in credit card debt and paid off my husbands truck and paid cash for mine in 2 years. We are now making extra payments on our mortgage to pay it off early. We are on a budget and living within our means. We are a family of 4 and bringing in $65,000 a year. We are doing Dave Ramsey money make over. Doesn’t matter what you look like.
Charles H good point!
This family isn't cheap, they are smart. The people from extreme cheapskates are the cheapest.
Calvin, thanks for your kind words! You made our day!
Was listening to the video while sewing and thought "I know that voice!" Craig (the reporter) is who I interned under 10 years ago. Nice surprise hearing his voice today :)
This is awesome Whitney, he is a great guy!
I admire them. Will be learning!!
man this is awesome!!
thanks for the comment!
I wish my family was in their position now. We have a lot of debt to pay off, and then hopefully we can start to live this debt free lifestyle. I was a say at home mom, and had to go back to work to pay off debt. I want to be a stay at home mom again. I miss being with my kids.
mahal3680 In our 20s my husband and I were in debt. We had 5 credit cards and lots if debt and no savings. Fast forward 2018, we have a second hand car, one tv, no cable. We are debt free and a little bit of cash. We stopped eating out, we started growing some of our food, we cook from scratch, we stopped watching at cinemas. We just watch classic, old movies and sometimes Netflix. We bought our second hand car in cash. We only shop for clothes and shoes if we really need them like for exercise, school and work. When we travel, we love traveling, we prepare our food and water. We don’t eat out. And yes water. We stopped buying sodas and sugary, processed, chemical laden food and drinks. Those little changes saved and kept us from being in debt. ❤️👌👍
You can do this, don't give up!
the problem with this is all the packaged waste
Nate, we never fill our trash cans for the curb on a weekly basis. This one trip to the grocery store does not reflect what we eat on a daily or weekly basis. Please keep that in mind!
Frugality means learning to go without. I never bought clothes just because there was a bargain. I bought clothes only when something wore out. There were many things I didn't buy, such as a suit or an extra purse.
Frugality does not have to be lived out only one way. Buying clothes to feel pretty and stylish is perfectly fine if it fits in your budget, your are debt free, you have money in savings, and you have a retirement plan that you are adding to regularly.
wow you guys are amazing! so many of my friend's don't know how to save....
Moira Kizito lead the way to fun and savings. your friends will follow.
Yes they do. Everyone knows how to save. They just don't want to.
They apparently don't care about nutrition. All calories are not equal. They will probably end up spending more on health care as a result.
G, you don't really think that one shopping trip for the TV cameras is the sum total of what we eat on a weekly basis do you?
I went to goodwill and found some new balance shoes that are normally 80 to 90 for 10 bucks and a nike pullover new without tag for 6 it was 12 but i got it for half off. And a nike t shirt for 1.50. I have become very frugal as a single mom. I love to go thrift shopping for my stuff i have found name brand for very cheap. I remember at 16 i would get my check and spend it on a shirt or shoes the first chance i got. Now at 20 as a single mom living with my parents i realized i needed to be more smart with my money. I didnt wanna keep depending on them so i started managing how muxh i spent. I stopped buying new makeup that camw out every month. Or spent to much on clothes. I actually started to declutter and minimize my closet. I used to spent 80 on my self from each check and now i put it down to 40. It also works if ypur gping out eat before you do is not just healthier you save 4 to 30 (4 going to your typical fast food. 30 gping to much fancier restraunts)bucks on food. I go thrift shopping for most my things and my daughters too. I buy her dollar store toys too. Some are really good i found puzzles and shapes and little horeses that she loves. Also try going to stores that have their own brand name like aldis or downloading apps for walgreens or cvs or rite aid cuz you can buy detergent for less than 2 bucks and toothpaste for 25 cents. I have done it i ended up gwttkng around 8 toothpaste and 4 packs of ludens cough drops for 2.33 at Walgreens lol. Also the shampoo it will mainly be herbal essences it will go down to 2 for a 1 and thats really a good deal of you dont like spending so much on shampoo but you gotta be on time with sells like that cuz coupon ladies will come at 12 am to empty shelves lol.
Love hearing about how you save money! Keep up the good work, you will get to a better place financially!
I adore this family. They are making the most of living without being a slave to it. There are so many ways to cut down costs. Once a year my 2 kids and I go to the local markets and purchase a few boxes of very ripe tomatoes for $10. Over the next 2 weeks, we make a year's worth of tomato sauce, pasta sauce and canned tomatoes. We make such a mess but have fun. I work full time and a single mum. I have no choice but to be frugal if I want to enjoy my life. Good luck to this family. The parents are installing remarkable values in their children.
Thank you Hellen, for your kinds words and frugal tips! You go girl!
Having a big family myself I totally agree with how they shop and save money Groceries and the cost of living is expensive already but when you add in after school activities for your kids and etc of life you gotta budget and spend wisely
Thank you Gemini!
@teeleecee Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like your Dad gave you a great gift by teaching you to be frugal. We just ignore the foolish comments. Everybody is at a different place in their financial journey, hopefully they will catch up some day. Be blessed and be happy.
You know, I live in the Netherlands and here it is actually quite normal to not have a creditcard. We don't have any loans....we get by with what we earn, by watching what we spend. It's really American to just live with your creditcard.
Yep. And the people who do have a creditcard pretty much only use it for things you NEED a creditcard for: Hotel reservations come to mind. And then get asked by friends and family if they can use their creditcard to book a hotel.
Although that has been changing in recent times - especially with the younger generation. It's worrying me.
So true JAJS.
It took us eight years to become debt free. Eleven years later, we are still debt free. It feels wonderful. And, this lady is right. With it, comes peace of mind. We still use our credit card, but we pay it off each month. We don't spend more than we make.
Wonderful!
paying cash for cars ?
You can earn up to 2% CASH BACK or rewards by simply using a credit card. You will only use as much as you can afford, therefore after making that purchase on the credit card, earning you additional rewards.. you will pay it off in full PRIOR to the due date avoiding any interest charges.
Given this video is back in 2010, so maybe this family wasn't exactly aware of the rewards system. But there are definitely better ways to saving money other than spending cash.. which earns you nothing!
Very, very few people can actually benefit from using credit cards because for the vast amount of people, it's way too tempting to misuse the credit card and have it work against you rather than for you. People need to stop recommending credit cards to the average person because even a frugal person can succumb to the temptation.
You are correct Ashley!
Ashley - Then the average person is an idiot. It's not temptation - it's living within your means. Do I have credit card debt right now? Yes, I do. I have $1,500 in credit card debt at a zero interest rate with my monthly payments planned out so that it will be paid off fully before my zero interest rate expires. My husband's laptop broke a year ago - he had repaired it before but this was a repair which would have been more expensive than a black friday sale. So, I paid $230 for a new laptop. It lasted less than a year before the motherboard failed on it and the hinge cracked. So, I spent $1000 on a new lapotop for him. The last laptop I bought from this company cost as much but lasted him a decade. No, I didn't have the cash up front to pay for it. However, paying off a $1000 credit card bill at ZERO interest is actually going to leave me AHEAD when compared to buying $200 laptops every bloody year. I don't need the capacity he needs for his coding so I'm on my second secondhand bought broken laptop. I recently upgraded the RAM in it for $80 & it runs like a dream. Overall cost between purchase over a year ago, parts to repair the broken screen, and RAM was still less than $200. The other $500 is from a once a year purchase. My employer gives us 25% off of a single shopping trip once a year. I buy an entire year's worth of toilet paper, paper towel, flour, oil, and other pantry items and sundries to last an entire year then I pay it off over the course of the year. Would I like to have enough saved to cover the entire cost without having to use credit - yes, but when your entire income for your family for the year is less than $20,000 and your health won't let you work more - you make do. I would say my $1,500 in credit card debt is a cost SAVINGS measure - oh, and that doesn't include the fact that I got 3% back during that big shopping trip because I used my credit card and then paid off what I had planned to spend in cash the very next day. I saved $60 just doing that. I also use my regular credit card for basically everything - even paying my car insurance. We get between 1 & 3 percent on everything. I pay it off with every single paycheck. The "savings" means that when my husband spends on Amazon (which he would do regardless), the funds are Amazon points instead of my $$$.
rachiti I recommend that you read Dave Ramsey’s book “Total Money Makeover”. You might have a different outlook regarding credit cards if you do.
👏👏👏 You focus on where you need to be financially and working with what you have. Well done family! my philosophy is its not what you make it's what you save. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Lisa!
Jesus! I've been living like this since the 90s. This is being a frugal? I thought it was just being wise about money. Save at all costs, you need it when your O.L.D Uncle Sam is already going broke. Learn to rely on YOU! 💖👍
Dear Me, glad you see the value in frugal living!
MoneySmartFamily 💖Absolutely! I don't anyone who doesn't like to save money. You guys break it down nicely. Plus you bank the unspent $. This is where being mindful has meaning. Thank you so much for making/sharing this video.. I will keep watching as a new subscriber 💖 Luv you guys!
Good for you guys. But can you tell me how to save that much money on groceries when your country doesn't put out coupons all over the place and stores don't double coupons if you do happen to get a couple of them?
There are plenty of ways to save on groceries.Stocking up on sale items is one way. Here's an entire page of grocery tips....moneysmartfamily.com/grocery-tips-landing-page/
Wonderful! You have encouraged me to get my grocery bill in shape and to continue being content...:)
So glad!
I have been using a lot of coupons lately. I want to save money for college I know I can do it. Use those coupon websites and yes best move is to plan meals
Vanessa H keep going! Every effort you make toward saving money, will get you to a better place!
Where do you get them from? Please tell me
My husband and I are slowly working towards this. First step is getting our last two credit cards paid off. We've paid off one already using the snowball method, roughly paid off 6,000 in a little under a year. The remaining 2 should be paid off by mid-year if we keep setting this pace. The onto my husbands car, 8,000 left on it. That will just leave us with the mortgage payment...which with no credit cards to pay off we can send in extra towards the principle each month. Somehow during all this we've managed to get together an emergency savings account that will cover our monthly expenses for roughly 3 months should something happen to our incomes. I'm 27 and he's 32...all of our friends think it's too much work the way we manage ourselves but I don't think they're seeing the long-term benefit of getting out from all this debt early on in life. The amount we're projected to save on interest alone is amazing, much less month to month savings.
Generic Unicorn, this is so awesome! keep going, you will do this! And you're right, even though your friends don't get it, you will be way ahead in the long run!
Yes❤️👌👍 Same here, we had 5 cc in our 20s. Fast forward 2018, no cc, one second hand car, 2 houses, a bit of cash saved. We grow some of our food, we cook from scratch, we only have the internet where we watch old, classic movies and sometimes Netflix. We stopped going to the cinema and we only have 1 tv. We buy clothes, toys for my child and shoes usually once or twice a year, like birthdays and Christmas and it has to be on sale ❤️👌👍😂😁oh by the way, we rent out our second house and that is gives us an extra income❤️
take the processed foods out and save more money most food that has a coupon is not worth eating I do respect the fact that they are debt free
Lucinda, you don't really think that one shopping trip for the TV cameras, is what we eat on a weekly basis do you?
I love these guys!! totally inspirational!!👍
Thanks Jodi!
I LOVE consignment stores.
They are amazing and can save folks so much money!
Yes! Also my mother and 2 aunts love sewing and making their own. Sometimes they make blankets, pillow cases, bedsheets and curtains for us. My mom used to make baby clothes for my child❤️👌😂 but now we just shop usually once a year and only when we really need them and i it is on sale ❤️👌👍
Steve and Annette, thanks for your awesome videos on saving money.
I was one of those that spent a ton of cash per month. My wife is the saver, thank God!
I finally woke up at the age of 53.
Im so ashamed of squandering so many years of my hard working money away.
The guilt and shame haunts me daily. I would be a multi-millionaire if I would of saved 20 years of my work monies!
Now I fill trapped at 53 knowing retirement is 10 years away. God willing, I hope I will live that long!
It's never too late, start saving now! You can do this!
Good for you. I paid my place off in 15 years and not the 25most did. I had practically nothing, but I had my home, and I was lucky to get a handy boyfriend who had friends and redid the kitchen and the bathroom and I was ecstatic. I paid them all too. Did not take advantage. We stopped together and know that we look after each other no matter what!
Your story and your friends are awesome. With focus, discipline and support of friends and family, these kind of goals are possible. Way to go!
Agreed! I have gotten stuff at Ambercrombie for 6 bucks! Clearance racks are awesome!
Yes they are!
A month is more than enough for bacteria full-fledged on any food even stored in any fridge. Cheapest family will pay most expensive medical bills !
+Philip Chen obviously you havent tried to do it then lol..best not criticise without the experience to support your argument lol
There's only one problem I really have with this I think it's great that they're trying to save money and do good on their family but they're sacrificing the quality of food for what's cheap and what they have a coupon for and only name brands really do coupons which are GMOs and non-organic and they're not worried about that part just if it's cheap
Rachel, you don't really think that one shopping trip for the TV cameras, is what we eat on a weekly basis, do you?
I loved watching this. To see people appreciate what they have is wonderful. We live the same way.
That's so cool! Thanks for commenting and for being content with what you have. There is great joy in having an attitude of gratitude!
Most foods in America have a due date, therefore, buying lots of quantities is just future food that will go to the trash. We should buy only what we need. Buying quality food doesn't mean cheap but means only buy what you need not extra that you will throw away in the future. Also, I want to add that organic food usually expires faster than process food but in the long run is an investment because it is healthier than process food. I lost weight by eating organic food, gluten-free food, and less process food. After I lost weight my Hemoglobin A1Cw which made me, a pre-diabetic also went down. I saved money in Physicians visits and medications. I strongly believe that eating healthier and less process food which is a little bit more expensive will save you lots of money in the long term. Finally, your health is important. This country is full of overweight people who have Diabetes, Hypertension and cardiac dieseas because of their diets.
Ana, we actually throw away very little food. Thanks for watching!
You guys are awesome!
Thanks for your Kind Words!!!! You made our day!
these people are on point..
Thanks Candy!
Very smart people!
Thanks!
They actually have sales at the thrift stores. Like bargain Wednesday's. Or All You can get in a bag for $5. Find your cheapest grocery store. Ours is 10 box. Dont spend unless you have to. Ask yourself.. Do I really need this? If you can.. Allow yourself one comfort buy a week as a reward. Some ice cream or or knick knack at a thrift shop. Nothing expensive. Or a cheap meal out. Remember not to buy cheap junk food. Eat healthy. Fruits and veggies. Chicken. Get things that are in season. Also.. Rice.. Beans... You can eat healthy if you plan. Try to grow a garden even if it is in pots around your porch. Dollar tree has long pots for $1 as well as $1 seeds in the spring. You can buy most of your bathroom items there. Another thing... I noticed they were shopping at the thrift shop and were paying like $5 per item.I would never pay that much. Look for bargain racks! Also go to yard sales! People get rid of clothes and things for pennies on the dollar!
Kristine, thanks for your comments. Surely you realize that one trip to the grocery store for TV cameras, is not the sum total of what we eat on a weekly basis, right? Also life is not just about how little you can pay for something. If an item is on our wish list and we find it for a price within our budgeted amount, than we feel the freedom to purchase that item.
I also have a spread sheet for all my expeses, I don't purchase anything without checking my spread sheet, its set up right now till I retire in 7 yrs and I know exactly to the dollar how much I will have in savings
Good for you Mary. There would be many more folks in a better place if they knew where their money was going!
yeah, not eating out, ditching cable, and only having the net, a SIMPLE cell phone (you need them for emergencies people), and not turning on every single light in the house and over using water will save you a lot. but these people got saving down to a T if you ask me. That's how *I* do it. I don't have time to find the best coupons on line or in ads. I've tried but man is it exhausting.... then with the online ones you run out of printer ink in no time flat. soo annoying
Keep up the frugal living, it pays off in the end.
I'm curious why they dont grow their own food.
We have had a robust garden in the past, but when we started traveling and speaking, it was hard on our housesitters to keep it alive. here in AZ, if you miss one day of watering when it's hot, your garden is toast!
This way of life just makes sense to me. I've been doing it my whole life... people would always question me but I had my reasons lol debt is scary. And if I want something I can always work and save up for it... no need for loans. Always look for sales! My parents were pretty thrifty.. I learned from them I guess haha
Wow Natalie - You've got a firm grasp of reality! You'll never have financial problems with that attitude. You are so right, there are always ways to get the things we need if we're patient, know where to look for deals and have the cash saved. Keep leading the way to the fantastic frugal life!!!!
Last name is appropriate!
Thanks, it's real and it's Greek!
LOL..Try living in OHIO on $1204 a month single no kids..Disabled, NO FOODSTAMPS ok..I now have to pay % of all office visits to every Doctor I have to see. And % of a hospital bill I get. and % of my scripts. Trying to get on HUD or Metro in my area is a 4yr waiting list. BTW I make a $100 to much for FoodStamps. We have 2 FoodBanks in my area and I only get 1 bag from each (can goods) 1 pick from meats only. The price of Food is crazy here, Meat you can forget it.
So sorry Chuck, maybe there are some churches in your area that can help.
Good for them!! Excellent job and I love the last name!
Steve was born with that last name, so we can't really take credit for it!
There’s a difference between being cheap and being greedy.
We couldn't agree with you more! We don't think of ourselves as cheap or greedy. We like to get the best quality for the best price.
Smart shoppers
Thank you Shalini!
I UNDERSTAND THEM WANTING TO SAVE MONEY, BUT DON'T MAKE MONEY YOUR ''GOD''. some people think money is everything, God's first commandment '' I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me''. your god is whatever you think about the most.
Marilyn, thank you for your concern. Money is not our God, far from it. We have been living a frugal lifestyle for so long it's second nature to us. We love to compare prices, do research, and find interesting ways to get quality items. All this and keeping in mind the price of time as well. We do not think about money all the time, I promise!
Inspirational...
Thanks Maria, here is a link to our Kids & Money page on our website! moneysmartfamily.com/money-smart-kids/
but no, there is no continent called America
Okay, glad you get the chance to share how you feel.
Dollar Store: Consignment stores are too expensive! Used clothes from friends a better deal!
Love your idea about clothes - having a network of friends who pass you clothes and whom you can pass clothes to is a wonderful thing.
We have consignment stores out here with dated tags. Some are 75% off, some 90% off and some $2.00 tags. We can find great deals here in the Phoenix, AZ area!
You can go to consignment stores on half off days, call them and find out which days they are
Not true. I have not had more than 3 grand ever spent on Credit Cards my entire 38 yrs on earth. Paying any kind of interest is actually a foolish thing to assume one needs to have to do. I have a 7.3 credit score but to be honest I really could care less what it is.
So true!
Are they that cheap or everything is that expensive?
Quite honesty in todays' economy its expensive raising kids, whether its one child or half a dozen kids. They did excellent job in saving money, paying off their mortage on their home. I brought alot of clothes from value village when my son was young, as he got older in his teen years I started buying him brand name clothing not expensive always though. I was taught to bargain shop. Great for the family. Everything about life isn't about image or keeping up with the jones.
Thank you for your kind words Kris!
When kids get to be teens they can do some work. My DD started at McD's at 15. My son mowed grass> Amazing how they don't want to spend THEIR money like they'd want to spend mine. My other son worked at the YMCA as a camp counselor during the summer.
I hope they eat healthy foods and not just prepackaged garbage. Is there plenty of fiber, vitamin enriched, healthy organic produce? I mean you CAN achieve doing this frugally, but it is something to be mindful of while shopping. We do not buy any garbage food
What we buy in 1 shopping trip, is not what we eat that week!
in Scottsdale Arizona !? what ! saving some serious ¢ents
Yes, Andrea, even in Scottsdale, AZ.
Allot of process foods......
This shopping trip does not reflect what we eat on a weekly basis. TV cameras are looking for good deals, please remember. This also doesn't take into account what we have in our freezer or pantry.
Actually shopping once a month is great. It forces you to stick to a budget and not overspend. Why in the world would you think it is smarter to shop weekly to catch a sale! Sales will always be there that would force you to spend more.
Shopping less always saves money.
I HATE CHEAP PEOPLE ( I WORK IN THE GROCERY STORE)
+Alex Norway We love hard working grocers who sell good quality food at a fair price. Thanks for feeding the families of our country.
+MoneySmartFamily I live in Norway. I should have wrote i work IN a grocery store.
+Alex Norway Alex - you are one of our heroes. A grocery job isn't easy (our kids have worked there). And dealing with demanding customers is hard. As frugal shoppers we love find deals, but we always try to let the stockers, cashiers and other people in the store know how much we appreciate their efforts. As a result these hard working people usually tip us off to the best deals . . . and laugh with us at how excited we get. Most people only communicate when there are problems, we love to acknowledge the good we see.
i used to
These people are not cheap JUST SMART!
making some of your own food instead of processed foods also saves money....try making home made greek yogurt in a crockpot,,,I save a LOT of money making my own each week. Its simple and tastes SO much better than the store bought. Make home made granola and eat that for cereal...better than any store bought boxed cereal......at first it took a little more to stock up but now I have saved big time.
Doreen, you don't really think that one trip to the grocery store for the TV cameras is what we eat on a weekly basis do you? If you watched all our videos, and read the info on our website, you probably would not make the assumption you are making right now!
im surprised we are a family of four and we spend over 2000 dollars on food
+Emaan Ahmad - You're not unusual. There are many families who do spend a lot on food. The question is, are you reaching your financial goals? If not, then changing some of your grocery shopping habits, while eating pretty much the same diet, could put thousands of dollars back into your bank account each year. If you were able to shave 10% off your grocery spending, by shopping differently you'd save $2400 this year. That's a lot of money! And we bet you could save even more!
Damn groceries must be super expensive in the usa! We spend about €450-500/week (+/- 550$) on groceries for a family of 4 and that's pretty average here (I live in Belgium). And that's for a cart stuffed with lots of fresh produce and other good stuff.
hahaha I meant month. We spend €450/month
+Nora N LOL I was like WHAT ? We spend about 600 a month for 4 . Kids eat a lot if it was just me and my husband it would be about 250 a month , we don't really eat much but my kids can eat a ton .
I would rather eat organic and spend more
This family is amazing and lives well within they means.
Thank you Mildred!
Work out how much it costs to get your tubes tied, that way you won't have so many kids!
stfu
they provide well for their kids. it doesnt matter if they have 1 kid or 20, they do this because its smart, saves them money and keeps them debt free. they still get spending money left over, they can have as many kids as they want as long as theyre taken care of
Just to say they are loving parents and they look after their kids, not neglected, clothed, fed and homed safely. They will inherit a good home and they are very lucky. Let's hope they cherish their parents for they have certainly been most loved and well cared for. And ...size does not matter!
Cassidy Hunt
They don't need to..................
I have been buying all my clothing and a lot of my household items at thrift stores garage sales for years. My 39 + 44 year old daughters furnished a lot of their houses this way. I have a friend that kind of has a shopping addiction she had one room in her house that had nothing but racks of clothes a lot of these items still have the tags on them she just decided a couple years ago that she didn't want the stuff told me to come and take what I wanted and the rest she was donating I walked out of her house with three good-sized totes of clothes most of them had never been worn now she's into crafts she has baskets and totes full of stuff and she keeps buying more because she can't find what she's looking for even though she know she already has it then she tells me she wishes she could save like I do. I've been divorced 20 years I took a 30-year mortgage and paid my house off in 14 I have no debt. I quit working 2 years ago and started living on Social Security only I still put 200 into savings every month from that social security check of 1069
Good for you Debbie. Hoarding is a very real struggle. It is so easy to accumulate items for pennies today. We all need to be cleaning things out on a regular basis. It takes work, but is so worth it, and should be part of monthly life!
Apparently I shop somewhere where that isn't the case. I always buy frozen vegetables & fruit, except bananas & apples. I can always find coupons for frozen foods and never for fresh vegetables.
Produce in season has some great deals!
How thrifty are they when they're eating junk foods, prepared convenience foods... they'll be paying years down the line with complications of obesity and diabetes. Couponistas aren't really saving, because they're going to be paying in the future in terms of health.
Mary, please be so careful how you judge others. You don't really think that 1 trip to the grocery store for TV cameras is what we eat on a weekly basis do you? If never let a piece of dessert cross your lips and work out at least 5 days a week, than you could possibly stand in judgement against us. Otherwise, stop behaving so badly with your mouth!
I take good care of everything I have so that I rarely have to purchase again. Most of my clothes are 25 years old. I just keep mending them, replacing elastic or buttons. They still look like new.
Interesting perspective.
I believe schools need a budget class
Agreed!
Everything sound great, material things are no very important to me, but....I don't like about not eating a very healthy food loaded in sodium and sugar, health is first. Just my opinion. Regards
Liz, you don't really think that one trip to the grocery store for TV cameras is the sum total of what we eat on a weekly basis do you?
i don't know how I could plan meals for a whole month.. but then again i've only been married for a year
Start with meals for a week!
might be a very special lifestyle for Americans, but most of Europeans and for sure most of the countries in Asia live out of what they earn per month and don't buy things they cannot afford. People rather save money and then buy what they really need...
Good values for living.
a lot of effort, but i can see value in this. I am biased, but i grew up with hand me downs and thrift stores for most of my clothing. There are nice things if you look for them and it was ideal when I was actively growing and needed different sized clothing frequently. I have not planned a month in advance but i have planned out food a few weeks at a time, it is a lot less stressful after the initial work.
Hooray, keep up the good work!