The Cheapest Family in America?

**i.m.cheap** · 12-02-2007, 01:28 AM

We already do all of those things, except for "using walkie-talkies" while in the grocery store. I always grocery shop alone. I do sometimes talk to myself while shopping, though. LOL.

**wanderlusting** · 12-02-2007, 08:41 AM

I read it in the library. It was very inspiring and I took some of her tips!

**Sara Noel** · 12-02-2007, 08:41 AM

Hi Shell. It's great to see you again.

Here's a thread with some feedback on the book that was posted a while back.
[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87510"]Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 12-02-2007, 03:12 PM

I borrowed it from the library awhile back and really enjoyed it. There wasn't a lot of new information for me, however I get a lot of motivation reading frugal living books, which I consider this to be. I did learn a few new things and have strived to lower my grocery bill a little more. It is worth reading for sure, but I wouldn't buy it.

**Holly** · 12-02-2007, 04:54 PM

Wow Shell Great To see you again.
We are still challenging away here but miss you a lot.

**midwestgal** · 12-02-2007, 07:18 PM

I just checked it out of the library this week and read it. Frankly, IMHO, there wasn't much too new in this that hasn't been covered in other "tightwad" books or on frugal forums. I did wonder about their once-a-month grocery shopping. (They feed their family on$350/month.) It seems that by shopping just once a month, you would really be passing up weekly loss leader specials the rest of the month.

**Jill B.** · 12-02-2007, 09:44 PM

I didn't get a chance to complete it before I had to return it to the library. I thought the once a month grocery shopping was not such a great idea for me. I try to do 2 big shops, every other week, then go for milk, bread and fresh veg/fruits every week. I can't see how fruits and veggies last a month! I may buy it used. It does offer inspiration.

**annertak** · 01-09-2009, 02:09 AM

and they spend $350 per month for groceries for a family of six. It seems to me that there are many here who do way better than that! They have now written a book, and really consider (and call) themselves the most frugal family in the US.

Any thoughts?

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-09-2009, 07:06 AM

I saw something about that yesterday too. And yeah, I wasn't really impressed with them. I'll have to wait and see if their book ends up in our library, if it does, I'll probaby read it just for fun!

**elphie** · 01-09-2009, 07:07 AM

hmmm... I wonder what other frugal things they are doing, after all frugality is more than just groceries. I also wonder if that is just food or if it also includes HBA and cleaning. And where do they live? Maybe they are just the most frugal family they know. Or maybe a marketing strategist at their publishing company thought it sounded good. Who knows, I'll reserve judgement until I see the book I suppose.

**Patty A** · 01-09-2009, 07:13 AM

Found their website, thought you might like to see what they are saying......I have to agree with you annertak, I think many people here are doing as good if not better than what these people are doing and they call themselves "America's cheapest family". Maybe that is the difference, we aren't cheap.....we are frugal!

http://www.homeeconomiser.com/

**TheRootedNomad** · 01-09-2009, 07:32 AM

If the people on the website posted are who the commercial was on I've seen them before. I wouldn't say they are they are the frugalist or cheapist in the US. They have however figured out how to capitalize on what they do though and I think that says something as well.

**Ilovesewing** · 01-09-2009, 09:13 AM

I haven't heard of them so I went to their website (which I found rather distracting so I didn't go far). Are they really any different than Amy D. when she wrote the Tightwad Gazette? I think TheRootedNomad is right - they've figured out how to make money by selling their frugal ideas to others. And they picked a fantastic time period - during this lousy economy - to do it. I'm sure they'll make millions doing it. Whether or not they're good at frugal I don't know....the distracting website stopped me from digging too far.

**sueh** · 01-09-2009, 09:25 AM

I heard about this family a few years ago. I too think that they found a way to capitalize on their frugal living.
It's funny because if you see them on tv they do the things that most of us are doing right here on FF. They use coupons to lower their grocery bills & they shop at thrift stores for their clothing.
I don't think that they are the frugalist family in America. JMO