Jon & Kate plus 8 budget?

[MaMa3Princess]

My debate receptors are down lately! Haha!!



Sorry...my mind is in the gutter.

Oh that is apparent. Some people just get their thrills on putting other people down to make themselves feel better. Hope you got your kicks

 

[madge]

My question is do you think they would have financial security (nice house, kids college funds, savings) without the TLC deal though? If they just worked normal jobs? I don't.

that's a good question. I don't know. But there's a difference in basic financial security and maintaining a certain kind of lifestyle. You can have the things you mention without the Gymboree, soccer, private preschool, American Girl, etc. If they hadn't landed the show, I guess they would have been a large family trying to make it work. Jon & Kate Gosselin aren't the first parents to have a family of 8 children.

And while it is absolutely none of my business ... because the spacing out of children is such a personal choice. But maybe Jon & Kate might have timed the second pregnancy a little later to have time to save money for the next pregnancy? And maybe they had been saving like crazy in those months between the birth of the twins and becming pregnant with the septuplets. We'll never know.

 

[michael's mom]

Well, considering they had twins, and then went in for further fertility treatments knowing the possibility of multiples, I always wonder how they thought or planned they were going to support their eight kids, before the possibility of the tv show came along. People are always saying "don't have more kids than you can afford" but that is just what J & K did. Luckily for them they were later able to get a lucrative tv show deal! Honestly, how would they be doing financially otherwise??

The show didn't begin until the babies were 2, so they were managing financially with all of those children. Not that I disagree with a lot of what is being said on this thread, but the "don't have more children than you can afford" I hate when people say that. You have a child because you have love in your heart for one, not because you finally have enough money. Most people will never have "enough money" for their family, but most people manage. If you are fortunate enough to be able to have a child, you should have one. Not because you can afford it. It's not a new car, it's a person!

 

[allison443]

The show didn't begin until the babies were 2, so they were managing financially with all of those children.

I believe Jon was unemployed when the sextuplets were born (or when they were very young) and the children were on Medicaid for a period of time.

 

[allison443]

that's a good question. I don't know. But there's a difference in basic financial security and maintaining a certain kind of lifestyle. You can have the things you mention without the Gymboree, soccer, private preschool, American Girl, etc. If they hadn't landed the show, I guess they would have been a large family trying to make it work. Jon & Kate Gosselin aren't the first parents to have a family of 8 children.

Well, that's my point. I'm sure it would have been a struggle, but others have done it, and obviously J & K didn't want that whole "large family trying to make it work" thing, or they would be working as an IT guy and a nurse in relative obscurity somewhere in Pennsylvania right now! They chose to make their life into a show to support their family. "Landing the show" wasn't some random act like winning the lottery-it was a conscious decision made by J & K to support their family. I'm not judging them for it, actually I think it was a pretty creative solution. That's all I'm saying.

 

[michael's mom]

I believe Jon was unemployed when the sextuplets were born (or when they were very young) and the children were on Medicaid for a period of time.

I've seen both of the episodes that were just TV specials and Jon was working in both of them. I don't remember anything about Medicaid (that's not to say it isn't true though).

 

[michael's mom]

Okay,
I've read the entire thread thus far and it's funny, I agree with most posters (those positvie and negative).

I love(d) this show. Tivo'd it every week and couldnt wait to see the next adventure. I loved the Disney episode. It's still on my Tivo actually. Whenever I need a Disney fix it's there. I was annoyed with the ice cream though.

Once I read that blog by "Aunt Jodi's sister" I haven't hurried to the tv. It put a bad taste in my mouth to think that Kate would dismiss Jodi and Kevin. They were their only family. But, like many PPs have already said, we don't know the truth as to why Beth and Jodi are not on the show.

As far as budget though, the blog by AJs said that Jon quit his job once the show began making enough money for him to afford to stay home with the kids. While I may not be completely comfortable with the manner in which this family has come into money, I applaud Jon for wanting to be home with his children. Every child should be lucky to have one stay at home parent, and these kids have two. What side effects they may suffer from the filming, hopefully will be offset a bit by the fortune of having mom and dad home with you.

I also think that if they can give the kids these great opportunities, then go for it. Would I put my family into the public...No. But, this is the choice that they made and they should definitely be getting paid for the show considering it is the networks #1 show. As far as getting free stuff...every celebrity gets it. Have you heard of the gift bags at the Academy Awards. Amazing things.

I have always been bugged by the way Kate treats Jon. In fact, I have questioned why he puts up with it. But...we don't know what happens behind the scenes. The show is clearly portraying Jon as passive. I feel bad for him a lot because I think she says things that embarrass him. I definitely treat my husband differently. Who knows what discussions they are having when the cameras are gone.

One reason that they may be showing a lot of outings is that we've already seen 3 years of the kids at home. They are getting older, can do more things, and the network needs to keep viewers coming back. They are relying on us saying "I wonder how they do ________ with 8 kids"

I guess all in all, I don't tune in faithfully anymore, but I will still watch. I think the kids are cute and funny, I think Jon is a riot, so I'll put up with the things that annoy me to have a little laugh.

 

[allison443]

I've seen both of the episodes that were just TV specials and Jon was working in both of them. I don't remember anything about Medicaid (that's not to say it isn't true though).

I hope I am not turning this into a bash thread, that really wasn't my intent, but it is true they received medicaid. That is just a fact and I'm certainly not saying it was wrong or right. Jon was unemployed for almost a year and then got a job at the PA governor's office in Harrisburg. These facts weren't mentioned on the TV specials you watched.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_334106.html

 

[Kycha]

Plus, really, Kate leaving Jon in charge on the weekends while she works? Not happening!

This statement is so untrue and very unfair. If you watched one of the two TV specials, they showed Jon taking care of the kids on the weekend while Kate went off to work her nursing shift. Plus, on a recent episode, Jon took care of the kids for a couple of days while Kate was away to do some interviews or something.

 

[michael's mom]

I hope I am not turning this into a bash thread, that really wasn't my intent, but it is true they received medicaid. That is just a fact and I'm certainly not saying it was wrong or right. Jon was unemployed for almost a year and then got a job at the PA governor's office in Harrisburg. These facts weren't mentioned on the TV specials you watched.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_334106.html

Hi there,
I had found a link after posting and read about him being out of work. I didn't realize that. Thanks for the info.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Back to the original questions which had nothing to do with the parenting on any of these "reality" family shows: BOLD is mine

Has Jon completly quit his computer job? On the series this year he doesnt ever seem to leave for work anymore. On the one about the kids going to preschool. He acted like they both drove them ever day and hung out for 3 hours. It appears that the sucess of the show has allowed him to stay home I would love to see their budget ideas for their family. You know the Duggers talk about their thriftness all the time, but the Gosselins seem to not really have a tight household budget. Given that they receive salaries for the shows and stipends for product placements etc I think it would be safe to say that both families can talk thrifty if they choose to but genuinely don't have to be unless they choose to be. So as far as budget ideas I think we are better off getting those from our friends here on the Dis Budget board rather than the Gosselins or Duggars I know their making money from their TV series, but is TLC paying for everything they do, including the preschool, fuel for that big van and all the organic food they can eat?We can't be 100% sure but I think it could be assumed that they receive more than a base salary.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I haven't watched it since the Disney episode. It makes me so mad that people that are obviously loaded getting free stuff at Disney and special treatment. I'd love for my girls to meet with the princesses in a special area and have CM's bring them ice cream! I'd love personalized Mickey ears in my room when I arrive. Too bad that us people that work hard to save up for a trip don't get perks like that! It made me bitter, lol!

This was interesting to read. I have never watched this show so I am not going to make any comments as to the family. I am the youngest of 8 children so the idea of this show has always amused me. Now I realize were weren't multiples so that does change the perspective a bit but my mom stayed at home with us while my dad worked and you know what....we got by. We lived on a very tight budget all of my growing up years (something that I can't shake now, even when we - dh and my kids - can afford some luxuries - I am very frugal). We didn't have designer clothes, we ate the store brand foods, our vacations were camping trips, etc. But we were incredibly happy.

The one thing I'd like people to reconsider is that this family deserves tons of stuff just because they have a lot of kids (I do think they should be compensated if they are doing the show, as that is only proper - I however would never put my family out there like that). Families who have a lot of children need to do so without expecting or feeling deserving of freebies. We never got freebies or assistance of any kind and were fine without them (and in fact, I think we are the better for it). It is all about choices...choosing to have a large family and choosing to make sacrifices to make it work financially.

I think what bother me the most is, as a social worker working with medically fragile and disadvantaged children, I see people who are REALLY in need and the money put into all the freebies given out on these kinds of shows could be put to such better use out there in our communities.

I know this has been debated and put to bed before, but do you both feel the same way about all celebrities? I think your beef would have to be with the companies and people who give the free stuff, not those who receive them.

it's been said already but no one is owed a car, a free college education and a fancy wedding just because. If parents choose to do that, great, if not, the kids will have to work for it. No harm no foul there.

me!! My youngest are twins and partially in fear of another set of twins and partially out of my desire for a tiny bit of sanity and then another part of me that wants to be able to have quality time with a baby,I would love to have another child when my twins go off to kindergarten next fall.

LOL.... me too with the "putting out in public" comment

Amen! I didn't get my car until I graduated high school, and that was because my mom just paid off her house. She's a widow, so we lived on one income for a long time. I also earned scholarships to pay for my college education (I actually got refunds every semester because I earned more than what was needed).

DS will be in Pre-K next August. I miss babies!!

My 13 and 14 year old cousins are here for Halloween, so my humor has been pretty lowbrow this weekend!!

Oh that is apparent. Some people just get their thrills on putting other people down to make themselves feel better. Hope you got your kicks

Oh, calm down. I didn't say anything about you, and I'm obviously not the only one that noticed your word jumble. It happens to everyone. Don't be so sensitive. It's not like I said you didn't love your sons!!

 

[delmar411]

The show didn't begin until the babies were 2, so they were managing financially with all of those children. Not that I disagree with a lot of what is being said on this thread, but the "don't have more children than you can afford" I hate when people say that. You have a child because you have love in your heart for one, not because you finally have enough money. Most people will never have "enough money" for their family, but most people manage. If you are fortunate enough to be able to have a child, you should have one. Not because you can afford it. It's not a new car, it's a person!

The show began before the babies were 2. I believe it was called something else in the beginning before it was a big hit and on a different channel too. And it was very real and down to earth in the beginning and showed things like Jon & Kate at the end of the day left with huge piles of laundry to fold and things like Kate rushing off to work the weekend shift at her nursing job. It showed the real chaos that was their life.

 

[michael's mom]

The show began before the babies were 2. I believe it was called something else in the beginning before it was a big hit and on a different channel too. And it was very real and down to earth in the beginning and showed things like Jon & Kate at the end of the day left with huge piles of laundry to fold and things like Kate rushing off to work the weekend shift at her nursing job. It showed the real chaos that was their life.

The "show" didn't begin until the babies were 2 and the twins were 5. Prior to that, there were two specials on the family, both highlighting the struggles and chaos that the family endured each day. These were just specials like the shows on the Duggars before they got their own regular show as well.

 

[amsafko]

I know this has been debated and put to bed before, but do you both feel the same way about all celebrities? I think your beef would have to be with the companies and people who give the free stuff, not those who receive them.

Actually yes I do. I feel we all have a responsibility to make choices for the better good of everyone, not just ourselves and our families. I was very ill years ago when dh and I were first married. Family members wanted to do a beef and beer to help us out but I knew we were okay and would be okay in the end and refused. Point is, I feel as though just because companies offer products it does not mean you have to accept them. Or, if you do really have to take it, then make a stipulation (the people getting these are typically in a position of power since they want them to do the placement in the first place) that another one of the same item be donated to a worthy cause. This is just my opinion and I'm not saying everyone must feel the same way.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Actually yes I do. I feel we all have a responsibility to make choices for the better good of everyone, not just ourselves and our families. I was very ill years ago when dh and I were first married. Family members wanted to do a beef and beer to help us out but I knew we were okay and would be okay in the end and refused. Point is, I feel as though just because companies offer products it does not mean you have to accept them. Or, if you do really have to take it, then make a stipulation (the people getting these are typically in a position of power since they want them to do the placement in the first place) that another one of the same item be donated to a worthy cause. This is just my opinion and I'm not saying everyone must feel the same way.

Now, part two, do you feel this about all people who accept freebies/perks who could do without them?

Also, do you not think their "product" placement of charities and donations offset the things they've received?


ETA: I also think your situation is very different. Companies aren't holding charity drives to support the Gosselins. No one is being asked to go without so they can have. Does that make sense? Your family/friends didn't offer to help you so you would in turn help them. The perks are their share of a business deal. Trading tangibles for advertising. Would it be different (to you) if they received money instead?

 

[DisneyDazed]

So many people are upset about the freebies and perks. Gosh I am not saying I love Kate or her style or her decisions but come on people. How much do you think the places that offer perks lose out? Nothing. Its actually very smart of them as they write the exspense off as advertising. Not to mention all the revenue having their name out there brings them. ALSO what about all the other people out there who get paid millions for one measly movie. Live and let live thats what I say.

 

[delmar411]

The "show" didn't begin until the babies were 2 and the twins were 5. Prior to that, there were two specials on the family, both highlighting the struggles and chaos that the family endured each day. These were just specials like the shows on the Duggars before they got their own regular show as well.

I must have seen a whole lot of reruns then!

 

[michael's mom]

I know, they're always on! I don't watch too many in reruns because they're just not as funny when you know the things the kids are going to say.

 

[dizkids]

How does everybody sum up JK8 lives from 30 minute shows?