Wednesday, July 27, 2011

How a Super-Sized Family Provides

Providing for 19 kids has its challenges, but the Lord has been faithful to the Duggar family. "As we have had our children and expanded our family, God has always increased our income just a little bit more to take care of it," Jim Bob shares during a recent Today Show interview. The Duggars are frequent thrift store shoppers and have been debt-free since studying Jim Sammons' Financial Freedom seminar years ago.  

Sticking to their famous motto, Jim Bob and Michelle purpose to "buy used and save the difference," but there is one store where they cannot possibly stick to that guideline: the grocery store. The Duggars spend $4,000 each month on food--that's nearly $50,000 annually. Still, God provides, and the family is certain that He always will. 

Does that statistic surprise you?

22 comments:

  1. We serve a mighty God who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ever ask for or imagine. Ephesians 3:20

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  2. I agree with The Duggars on buying clothes at Thrift Stores and Garage sales but I also go to Shopko to find sales on shirts as well!

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  3. Doing the math the other direction: 4000 a month is about 1000 a week. Divided by 21 people at home is 47.61 per person per week. (That number probably covers non-food items purchased at the grocery store, too)
    Anyway, 47.61 divided by 7 days a week is under $6.80 per person when you add meals shared with company. I don't do that well in my shopping!

    In this week's episode, It was fun to watch Jordyn "help" by reaching up to the counter and taking some of the candy decorations while the other children were making grandma's cupcakes. Obviously there is an advantage sometimes to being short and less visible :D.

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  4. I'm always encouraged by the Duggar's views on finanaces - it's interesting to look back on the first specials & seasons of the TV show and see how they continue to carry on the same money-saving practices now that they're famous! I can't imagine all the grocery shopping - and not just the money, but the time it takes to actually shop for all the food, bring it home, unpack, etc.!!

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  5. I think its still cool that they buy they're clothes at the Thrift Stores even with all the fame they have! They don't seem to want the star treatment! I wish more famous people were like The Duggars!

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  6. I wonder if that number has changed as the Duggars have gotten money from TLC. I would like to hear more about that.

    Personally I am a big advocate of thrift store shopping since it's a great way to recycle!

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  7. I, too, have been curious as to how much they are paid for their show. I'm sure this helps with their expenses as well. But regardless, it's just another way that God has provided for them and I can certainly see His faithfulness to them. That is very encouraging to me to see how creative God is. =)

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  8. FYI for your blog...Duggar Family is featured on the Focus on the Family broadcast today and tomorrow, thought you may want to post it.

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  9. I agree with you,anonoymus.$47.61 is not alot of money? My dad is wondering: How much are The Duggars being paid for their show and does Josh,being the eldest child who has a family get paid? Also, What finacial state would Michelle and Jim Bob be in if they did not have the show?
    God truly does provide.
    Thanks!
    -KMA

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  10. Camden, you asked if the number has changed - yes, it has. A few years ago, they were spending $1,500 to $2,000 a month on groceries. I doubt that their lifestyle has changed, though. Most likely, it is a matter of the following: the spike in grocery prices we ALL have been paying the last several years; the result of having more teen-age and adult children; possibly, the fame has resulted in more "media" visitors into their home, who are also welcomed at their table for meals.
    LisaG
    (I am not trying to "be" anonymous - that's just the only way I can post!)

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  11. Thanks for the tip about the Duggars being featured on Focus on the Family!

    ~Lily and Ellie

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  12. Lisa G, I found that I can show my name by clicking on "Name/URL" below. It doesn't matter that I have no URL, I just enter my first name, now.

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  13. Thanks, Kay. I'll try that now, to see if it works.

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  14. Yes, it's amazing how the Lord is able to provide for our needs. I was wondering if anyone knows where the Duggar girls get their flower necklaces, also a lot of their clothes must be bought new like some of the tops and jackets and such. What about flip flops do they buy those used too? I am having troubles finding used skirts.

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  15. I agree that the Lord definitely does provide. My husband is a graduate student with a 21,500 stipend a year and with 3 children and one on the way we have been blessed to make a comfortable lifestyle for our family without welfare. We own a 2 bedroom house and with all girls this works out great and we pay a whole lot less than we would on rent! I am a big sales and coupon shopper. We spend $175 a month on groceries which equals to $8.75 per person per week!!! $80 a month is spent on fresh fruits and veggies, mostly through a community co-op.

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  16. It's indeed amazing how God does work! At the moment, our family is quite short on money (into the minus zone!) but He still is providing for us even though it was kind of our fault about the finance issues. I always love 'new' (as in new for me, not new in the factory:D). Just recently, while at a friend's house the Mum said to, "Do you want any some clothes? I've got some clothes that I haven't worn for years!" Amazingly, those clothes fit me pretty well, and it also suits my style and shape!

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  17. Do they coupon? It's a fairly easy was to save loads on groceries. And they do buy loads of groceries. Just wondered.

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  18. I have nine other siblings and we spend $400 a week on groceries!

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  19. Hi iluvmusic2!

    The Duggars do a lot of bulk shopping at stores like Sam's Club. Most of those types of stores don't accept manufacturers' or competitors' coupons, but they usually have their own rewards programs, and many even have their own form of coupons.

    Have a blessed day,
    Lily and Ellie

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  20. I typically spend $170 per week for a family of 5 (including toiletries); however, I run a daycamps in the summer and provide 2 snacks + lunch every day to 4 'extra children'. Last week I spent only $150 for ALL the food for the week (which includes the extra food) because I spent wisely and bought more 'basic food' like fresh fruit and veg,milk, blocks of cheese and no granola bars, cookies, or cheese strings. For lunch yesterday, the kids had cooked ham, mashed potatoes (homemade) and cooked carrots; today was roasted chicken, biscuits (made from scratch) and frech crudité. A bit more work thank chicken nuggets, but much healthier and cheaper!

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  21. Hi Cabbage Patch!

    One of our readers answered this question on our Facebook page. She said "I know they shop a lot at Aldi and have been shown shopping there. Aldi doesn't take coupons.

    Have a fabulous day!
    Lily and Ellie

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