Families Discover Creative Ways to Save Big Money
After losing their business to the recession, Carl and Hari decided to make a drastic move... out of their 3-bedroom home, and into what they call their "Tiny House" -- a 168-sq. ft. home.
Moving their family from a 1,500-sq. ft. home to such a small space was a major downsize, but one reaping big savings. Their space is small and insulated, resulting in an electric bill of around $40 a month. They have also been able to bank Hari’s entire salary each month. Their “Tiny House” is part of their bigger plan to build a mortgage-free home. That home will still be small, but Hari says it will be large enough to at least find space to be alone (and perhaps add a bathtub).
How did the couple build their "Tiny House" for so little? Carl says they scoured Craigslist for materials, using many donations and secondhand items from friends.
After the holiday season, has your family tried to cut back on spending? The Dunning Family created an ultimate challenge for themselves and decided as a family, not to spend a dollar for the entire month of February.
The family bought about $400 worth of food for the month, plus whatever was found in the back of their pantry and refrigerator, and managed to feed their family of six all month long. Twenty-nine days of the month, divided by 6 people, equals about 70 cents per meal. See how they did it...
Since February, has the Dunning Family been able to keep their spending down? They say they have, and now spend about 20% of what they used to spend. Take a look at their trick for spending less money on milk...
Comments
Hi there,
Watched your June 6th afternoon show..(repeat) for the first time and enjoyed every minute. Your guests and their various ways of saving and being more fugal were enlightening and heart warming. Congrats to all !!!
I was a little taken back by the so called "expert"...Torabi.
I thought she was very rude in her words to Amanda. All the guests did unusual things to save money...certainly not the norm for Americans....however more respect should have been given to this ambitious young lady, Amanda. Go Amanda!
Does Amanda have a published web site? I'm fascinated with her story.
Thanks,
Joyce
this is a inspiring story that EVERY American "could" learn from
This really makes you think. you dont have to cut back on the things you enjoy to save money- for instance i enjoy fresh baked rolls and bread-with all the money iam spending at bakery- i would be better off buying my own bread making machine. all the latte drinkers- spending that crazy starbucks price- buy your own machine-they even have nice reusable cups to take to work. canning fruits and vegetables while in season and than enjoying them off season is wonderful.
Not so Überly significant when you compare their house to the houses here in the Philippines.I wasn't even the least amazed.
Wow, You have to respect them for what they did. I would be willing to bet there family is a lot closer also. What an excellent sacrifice for their future and their kids future. http://folduptreadmills.com
iI THINK WHAT YOU YOUR FAMILY HAS DONE IS SO GREAT,AND I ONLY WISH YOU COULD BECOME MY FRIEND'S AND TELL ME HOW TO JUST WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BUT SENSE I ONLY HAVE $1.00 TO MY NAME I KNOW I CANT DO ANYTHING BUT WHAT I AM DOING NOW AND THAT IS SUFFER.IM 63 YEAR'S OLD AND A VERY GOOD PERSON. AND I NEVER HAD MUCH BUT I WHAT DID AND HAVE I SHARE, MY HUSBAND I DEAD I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME,PAYING RENT ,I JUST WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING OF MY OWN BEFORE I LEAVE THIS WOLD,I AM GLAD FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,FROM {MARY,MOTLEY}
Wow.Where do I begin? First-I cancelled all incoming subscriptions,magazines,.(the New Yorker stays-I have subscribed to that for thirty years.I still buy books-but from the bargain book catalogue-they are all new-but cut rate,More expensive books,-that wonderful library we have-I call up.give the title,and a week later-I am reading a book that would have cost thirty dollars. Installed the money saving bulbs all over the house.!!!)I no longer wash clothes in ho*****er, (use plenty of detergent in the washing machine)..Most drastic-eat out less-and use that wonderful coupon book (it is 35 dollars-BUT the second diner eats free!!! At hundreds of local restaurants.)One of my favorite places to shop-and always was-Thrift shops..As a former appraiser and Antique dealer,I have an unerring eye for value.My favorite purchase this year-a K'ang Hsi miniature Chinese cabinet vase-five inches tall-four dollars.Price achieved on Ebay-Two Hundred!! (I sold my entire collection of Boehm porcelain birds on Ebay (I am 83) in two years there-total 16,000 dollars).But I digress.Another way to save-Dollar Tree!!!! EVERY item is one dollar.Unbelievable what I save there!-They have it all-everything you wouls find in a food supermarket,including -just lately-Foods!!!!What savings on bread,frozen foods,canned goods,etc.I have cut my food bill clearly in half!One thing I haven't done-Church suppers and Mission free meals.I just feel that is for the truly needy.I have not reached that time yet,but if I do,well.......Thank you for providing this soap box... Happysavings everyone,and thank you for your hints ,too.
Good on them! :) Beautiful home compare to these vulgar mansions people are having built for their pathetic, selfish mid-life crises.
thats awesome when i tell my sister that she thinks am crazy
Great Add!Want build little house? First You have to buy land.Pay property taxes every year(pay,pay,pay).This planet has been made by God.And God give right to build home to everyone,birds,wolfs or humans.And for free/////
I saw the show yesterday, and I thought the family that downsized into the tiny home were brilliant! I think it's excellent that they have kept their family values, and know that it's not having plenty, it's having enough. I also think that's great that their long-term plan is to build a bit of bigger home, but mortgage-free. Way to go!
This is truly thee American family folks...huddling together and coming up with a plan and sticking together. Unfortunately many don't see it this way...this wife, mother and woman is a diamond in the ruff and hard to find. Usually a woman will not stick around with her man because she wants more, NOW, and thinks its all about her the "Me, ME, Me syndrome!
To all you liberal cry babies out there who have nothing, here's your example and proof that your lazy, because if you weren't lazy you'd get up off your duff and do something similar. These people aren't looking for a handout, neither should you.
This is a great story. Totally the frame of mind people should be in. I am in a leadership development group and one of they areas of LIFE that we concentrate on is finances. I loved how you guys were frugal for February. A 28 day pattern makes a habit and it seems to have proved it in your case. Keep plugging forward toward your dream of saving money and don't let your critics stop you. Your critics are your worst enemy. Great story keep it up.
I am not sure you would classify our way to save money outrageous it is just smart.
Number one rule: Never buy anything new that you can get second hand.
Number two rule: Never pay full price if you have to buy something new, like food only buy sale items or clearance items and shop often.
We are lucky to have many local resale shops, The Salvation Army/Red Shield stores and Habitat for Humanity ReStore in our area. Many of the big stores like Wal-mart, Home Depot and Lowes donate slow moving items or clearance items to these stores.
Examples:
The local Salvation Army store had Kleenes & Puff’s that the only thing wrong with them was the boxes were crushed 250 count boxes for .99 cents.
After Christmas gallon Freezer ZipLoc Bags with Christmas tree on them for .99 cents.
All different brands of baby diapers for half price because the packaging was damaged.
Tooth paste and deodorant at less than half price because the cardboard packaging was damaged.
Almost any personal item you may need at half price or less because of cosmetic defects in the outside packaging I have found at the Salvation Army. Of course clothing, shoes, housewares and more of much less then buying it at Big chain stores.
What a wonderful resourceful family. Instead of complaining and blaming others they came up with a plan. This is a temporary house to help them save to be able to build another house without debt. My great grandparents raised 12 children in a house that was slightly more than twice this size. America is full of overly large homes that dont foster family and togetherness. This family has a tiny home, but lots of love.