Thursday, August 30, 2007

America's Cheapest Family on 20/20

I found this ABC News interview with the Economides family on 20/20. It's an interesting peek at a family of 7 who lives on less than $35,000 a year. They call themselves "the Warren Buffet of groceries." (Warning: you have to sit through a commercial to watch the clip.)

You may recall that I didn't think the Economides' book lived up to its hype, but I did like the grocery and meal planning advice.

9 comments:

Amy said...

I noticed this interview and was going to watch it when the kids laid down. I will be interested in seeing this! Thanks!

Chris said...

I haven't watched it yet either (I will right now), but WOW! All it takes to be the cheapest family in America is to have a family of 7 and income of $35,000? We have 8, and honestly, in my neck of the woods $35,000 is pretty decent. We make less than that.

I am a lurker but I have really enjoyed your blog, btw. :-)

Anonymous said...

I agree with Christel. They may have some good tips, but some of the people on frugal living boards I read of far outdo that yearly amount & are even more frugal. Perhaps people bringing in a much higher yearly income might be impressed (I am not). I just don't think they are "America's Cheapest Family". It was a good way to get some free marketing for their book. Besides, I think Amy D's family would knock them out of that self-imposed title. :)

Anonymous said...

I have been to their web site, I got a sample newsletter, and I think it is just a buch of fluff to sell the books and newsletters. Yes, the way they 'attack' a grocery store is unsual, but that is just about it as far as I can see. The Amy. D. books, the Frugal Living forums etc. are much better. Anyone can call themselves the 'cheapest family in America' I guess, but in this case I don't think this is true here....Roxie

Hyperactive Lu said...

We saw this on ABC about a year ago and thought they had some great ideas... I think they have a book, or a web site... Haven't been able to find it yet?!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad othes had the same reaction that I did. I thought, "I'm pleased for their success, but my Mom and Dad did the same thing for YEARS." Seven kids and all. Plus a child with chronic kidney failure.

Sounds like their grocery tips might be good, since I think I can STILL squeeze that a little more tightly.

Anonymous said...

Yes I bet many others do it on less, but how many others have a house, 2 cars with NO payments or debt at all? That is amazing to me!

We live on my husband's one income and I got our grocery bill down to $80 a month for my family of 3 and could even go lower but we eat very good at $80 a month. I do like they said in the interview, plan for a month and shop for a month, it really does work.

Carrie J said...

I looked up other videos on You Tube and found a few from their local station in Arizona, most made about the time their book came out. I didn't see anything I haven't seen other places, coupons, menus etc.
They are just the latest marketing a book I guess. I remember, and gosh am I dating myself, seeing Amy on Donahue back in the day. She was different and had ideas that I had never heard before. I remember the audience was really down on her. It was crazy.
I'm sure she laughed all the way to the bank.

Anonymous said...

i agree with you about the hype not matching the material. a good read tho :)