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  • Family Budget 
    Reported by: Toni Valliere

    Monday, Aug 18, 2008 @08:49pm CDT

     Raising a family on two incomes is tough to do for many families. So, imagine raising a family of six on only one income. Tonight in our family first segment we show you how one area family has done just that for more than 15 years. Before Todd and Kathy baker had any children, the couple planned on Kathy being a stay at home mom. That would mean they would have to survive on only one income. "She was actually making more money than i was at the time. So when she did quit our salary more than cut in half." It would also require the couple to cut back on their spending. "We used cloth diapers, we didn't go out to eat, we had old vehicles, things like that. We didn't go on vacation." And that's how things have been for the past 15 years. Even after four children, Kathy and Todd say they haven't had to change a thing. "I drive a 1987 ford pickup truck, I bought it brand new, I've never been a materialistic person. I've been able to wear garage sale clothes. I've never had to eat anything fancy, I could have the same meal everyday if I wanted to." And they say living simple has really paid off for them. "The biggest benefit was we got to be able to raise our own kids the way we want them raised versus having a daycare raise them." Though Kathy admits, there have been times when she missed the extra income. "Oh yeah, times when i wanted new furniture, why can't we get a new car like everybody else or lets go on vacation, those kind of things which weren't real important." But for Todd, it's been a little easier to stay focused on the main goal. "I've made it a priority to be content with what i have versus what i want and there are a lot of things i want, but I'm looking at the future." Todd and Kathy have also saved during the summer months by waiting until july to use their air conditioner.
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