How a Family of 4 Manages to Live Well on 14k per year (article)....

[jjs07]

Came across this article earlier today. Thought it was a good/interesting read. Now, the $ he gets through the GI Bill helps immensely, but some of their saving tactics are things that a lot of people could do as well.

In the years since the recession, the median household income in the U.S. has dropped to just over $50,000, while fixed costs like health care, higher education, and housing have only soared. Now imagine trying to support a family of four on a fraction of that income.

It's a reality that stay-at-home wife and mother of two Danielle Wagasky has lived for the last four years. And, perhaps a little surprisingly, she wouldn't have it any other way.

Wagasky, 28, lives with her her husband, Jason, 31, and their two young children in a three-bedroom family home in Las Vegas, Nevada. While Jason, a member of the U.S. Army, completes his undergraduate studies, the family's only source of income is the $14,000 annual cost of living allowance he receives under the G.I. Bill. Despite all odds, the family has barely any credit card debt, no car payment, and no mortgage to speak of.

Wagasky has been sharing her journey to living meaningfully and frugally on her blog, Blissful and Domestic, since 2009.

She was kind enough to chat with BI and tell us how she makes it work.

Rest of Article in Link

 

[jewseejay]

your my boy but this is stupid...

neither one of them work... we could all make 14k work if were only intrested in "making it through"

but nah... we tryna cop these Js and drive these fly whips 

 

[oh you mad]

I bet you large corporations are salivating over this.

 

[jhawk826]

They live cheap because they have to. I wouldn't call that living well. They are just getting by. If she worked they wouldn't have to pinch pennies by going to the grocery store once a month and making stuff from scratch such as laundry soap. That extra income may it be $20k/yr, would alleviate many of the issues they have in the home. The only thing I'll give them props for is the avoidance of credit cards unless an emergency arises. If there's ever an issue that DIY can't fix, then they'll be in the hole quick even with credit cards.

 

[repsol1k]

^ Truth

 

[jjs07]

They live cheap because they have to. I wouldn't call that living well. They are just getting by. If she worked they wouldn't have to pinch pennies by going to the grocery store once a month and making stuff from scratch such as laundry soap. That extra income may it be $20k/yr, would alleviate many of the issues they have in the home. The only thing I'll give them props for is the avoidance of credit cards unless an emergency arises. If there's ever an issue that DIY can't fix, then they'll be in the hole quick even with credit cards.

I think they're smart in a lot of ways that they save such as in how they stock milk, make their own breads, veggies (co-op), keep a $400 grocery budget, etc. Also, the DIY mentality is great for a lot of people who don't want to dish out $ for a job that they can do themselves. People like me (who suck at doing things around the crib), are always paying others to fix certain things. I do agree with what you said about if an emergency arises, they'd be screwed due to lack of funds.

*Also, if you're receiving money from the GI Bill are you getting health benefits? How does that work?

 

[25thhour]

This is why you don't have children until you can afford them. And I'm speaking as an ex team raw member.

 

[jhawk826]

If you have to keep a $400 grocery budget, then they might as well apply for food stamps/EBT. They have no income and would qualify for many government programs except Section 8, maybe welfare too. I just want to know why she doesn't work. That stay at home thing can't be an option when all you're relying on is an allowance from his GI Bill. When my parents first had me, they didn't have a GI Bill to support them. One worked during the day and one at night. Also, I'd rather pay someone to fix something that I know will be fixed the first time around than try to fix something myself and risk having to pay more down the line for unintended damages.

 

[tripda6]

Live "well"?

Theyre "living"... but thats about it.

Much respect to them for having that much discipline...

Her cooch must be extra good for dude to not make her get a job

 

[jjs07]

Ninjahood lives "well." It's his interpretation of the word. This family lives "well." It's their interpretation of the word as well.

It's all subjective. Personally, there is ZERO chance I could live this way....however, they are finding a way to make it work (no pun). More power to them.

 

[joshuatree2192]

This is why you don't have children until you can afford them. And I'm speaking as an ex team raw member.

TRUTH

 

[nazdrowie]

I think they're smart in a lot of ways that they save such as in how they stock milk, make their own breads, veggies (co-op), keep a $400 grocery budget, etc. Also, the DIY mentality is great for a lot of people who don't want to dish out $ for a job that they can do themselves. People like me (who suck at doing things around the crib), are always paying others to fix certain things. I do agree with what you said about if an emergency arises, they'd be screwed due to lack of funds.

*Also, if you're receiving money from the GI Bill are you getting health benefits? How does that work?

you get a good amount of benefits from the GI bill. you get the BAH/BAS allowances (based on the cost of living for whatever location you are at), healthcare (although im not sure if it extends to spouses), and money for dependents. my friend has a 3 year old and is using his GI bill and gets an additional $400 month.

in total, he is probably getting about $2200 a month.

 

[$tacy]

i feel bad for the kids 

 they will never get to do kid ****. Xbox, playstation, cable, movies, new toys, etc. I couldnt be comfortable jus making it

 

[aveezythebeast]

Man no way i could be about that cheap life. No dambs about it i must eat good eveeryday. You mean to tell me them kids stay at home all day and dont have a ps3??? hell naaaaa

 

[mdwst9]

personally i dont think what they are doing is special at all. they barely have bills for one. After my rent and car note n a few other bills u can say i make around 14k a year as well and I do a lot of stuff and never rly flat broke. Its not a lot of money but its not that hard to live off of with barely no bills. I have a wife n two kids as well btw.

 

[crcballer55]

Most people in here are missing the point here. Sure, you're not going to be living large on $14k/yr. The point is not whether you're going to have a top notch lifestyle. The point here is that if you're willing to cut your expenses down and do some of your own work while times are lien, you won't be paying for it once you do have a good job.

 

[shoelyesses]

I think they're smart in a lot of ways that they save such as in how they stock milk, make their own breads, veggies (co-op), keep a $400 grocery budget, etc. Also, the DIY mentality is great for a lot of people who don't want to dish out $ for a job that they can do themselves. People like me (who suck at doing things around the crib), are always paying others to fix certain things. I do agree with what you said about if an emergency arises, they'd be screwed due to lack of funds.

*Also, if you're receiving money from the GI Bill are you getting health benefits? How does that work?

yes you are... i still get them for me and my kids... thing is if you arent active duty and go to a private sector you pay a 15% out of pocket cost. the bigger question is considering most bases have a free daycare...why is this lazy beesh not working? I could see if it was a it would cost as much as she earns to pay for daycare...but considering it would cost her nothing. They kinda choose to live this way. So while i admire the fact they achieved this. it really isnt that impressive considering they made the conscious decision to choose to live this way.

 

[peniskowski]

I make about 14k a year and its hard to support myself just on necessities.

 

[shoelyesses]

you get a good amount of benefits from the GI bill. you get the BAH/BAS allowances (based on the cost of living for whatever location you are at), healthcare (although im not sure if it extends to spouses), and money for dependents. my friend has a 3 year old and is using his GI bill and gets an additional $400 month.

in total, he is probably getting about $2200 a month.

yeah it does if you are e-5 and above. not to mention if he has ta or education kicker....then pell grant. I use to get close to 2 stacks just to go to school. I would get used books etc... everything i could to cut cost. plus she probably use the double coupon days at the px/commisary. they probably maximize every discount they can get...ie 20% of cellphone service... the whole nine yards.

 

[a55a5in11]

Family of 4 on $50k. Can't imagine how my parents and other parents do it/did it. My and my girl easily clear that and I can't imagine trying to raise a kid off this income.

 

[cacique]

Props tho. Do what ya gotta do.

 

[thadocta]

rather than putting all that effort into saving money and cutting corners i would put that towards making money but to each their own

 

[jhawk826]

Most people in here are missing the point here. Sure, you're not going to be living large on $14k/yr. The point is not whether you're going to have a top notch lifestyle. The point here is that if you're willing to cut your expenses down and do some of your own work while times are lien, you won't be paying for it once you do have a good job.

I'm not missing the point neither is anyone else. People know how to cut their expenses and do some of their own work. The point, for me at least, is that they choose to live this way even with his benefits. They don't have to live on 14,000 a year. That's a terrible way to live even with budgeting. You've afforded yourself no wiggle room in a time of crisis. An extra income in the household would work and bump that 14k to at least 30k.

What happened to the money he earned while he was in service? Did they squander that away?

 

[cucumbercool]

i feel bad for the kids 

 they will never get to do kid ****. Xbox, playstation, cable, movies, new toys, etc. I couldnt be comfortable jus making it

they don't know "what they're missing out on" since they never really had it. Kids MAY be better off this way. Less reliance on material luxuries (in a manner of speaking)

 

[mahnametahrone]

It takes money to make money but, it seems like they're stuck at the moment.