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How much money do you have in your pocket? Once upon a time, I had six dollars. These days, I usually have more than that, but I will forever be that girl with six dollars in my pocket. Are you a Six Dollar Family? If you are struggling to put food on the table, to pay your bills or with simple day to day expenses, you may be and not even know it. In other words, do you only have “six dollars” in your pocket too?
Welcome to the Six Dollar Family blog. I am so happy you’re here! Whether you really do only have six dollars in your pocket or your bills are comfortable and you’re looking for a good recipe, I am positive you will find your place here among our little community. Please allow me to introduce myself, the rest of SDF and my little corner of the internet to you before you get started.
I am Stacy – also known as Mother Unit. I am 37 years old and 1/4 of the Six Dollar Family. I am originally from a small town in Southern, Ohio but currently live just outside of Dallas, Texas. I am a girly girl when I want to be but am much more comfortable with my fishing pole sitting on the cliffs at my favorite lake. I love to cook and bake, have gotten really good at useless trivia over the years and dream of owning my own hobby farm someday. I am horribly bad at most simple crafts, but can wield a power tool with the best of them. I crave the simple life and work hard to make it happen for my family.
I am diabetic, suffer from chronic pain and am a recovering addict. My 20 year sobriety anniversary is June 29, 2020.
Yes, that is a towel behind me in the photo. Bathroom selfie for the win! 😀
The Rest of the Six Dollar Family
My better half is Steve – aka Father Unit. He is 43, a US Air Force veteran of both Gulf Wars, works as an over the road trucker, is the farmer/outdoors man of our little family. He absolutely stole my heart from the word “hello.” He is truly my hero and one of the best people I have ever met. No, I am not only saying that just because I’m totally head over heels in love with him. He is 4 inches taller than me and never lets me forget it. 😀
Yes, his hat had a logo. Yes, I removed it. I love ya’ll but you don’t need to know who he drives for. 😉
Girl Child #1 is biologically his and usually answers to Laura. She is 14, an honors student – a member of National Junior Honor Society – and is my helper around here. She has a sense of humor that is rarely seen in a kid her age, will actually talk politics with me, is first chair flute, is the shortest one in the house and is a girl after my own heart. She is Girl Child #1 because she is five days older than Girl Child #2. Yes; five days.
Girl Child #2 is biologically mine and if you’re a long time reader, you may already know her. She is my Emma and one of the most amazing human beings that I know. Being five days younger than Laura, she is 14 as well and is technically the baby of the family. She is also the tallest one of the family even topping Steve by over an inch. She plays softball, loves music and has one fantastic singing voice. Her sense of humor is unparalleled and she is constantly making both Steve and I laugh until we cry. She is also the reason that Six Dollar Family exists as it does.
In 2010, Emma and I spent 10 months in a homeless shelter. I did not realize it then, but it was then that The Six Dollar Family was born. That first night in the shelter, I had six dollars in my pocket. What started out as a horrible situation has now bloomed into a new life and a way to help others who may be in situations as we once were.
Momma is – we think – a blue nosed pit and my rescue pup. She is approximately 7 years old but we are unsure. She has been a part of our family since November 2014 when Emma found her abandoned and chained in a back yard down the street. The folks who lived at the house had moved out and left her with no food or water. She was extremely emaciated and dehydrated when we found her. These days, she is quite healthy and happy in that raggedy old chair and blanket I keep around for her. She likes to argue with me, hogs my bed when Steve is not home and thinks she’s human.
Nine years have now passed and in those nine years life has changed significantly. There has been a long-term relationship and a split. We have since added two new members to our family. I am no longer that single mom with six dollars to my name. We live comfortably as a result of the way we choose to live our lives. We are comfortable in life and as a result, we are passing on how we did it. Why?
Because our journey doesn’t stop at simply making ends meet in life.
Our journey stops with six figures in the bank and a comfortable life provided for all of us. You read that right. Six figures. Not seven. We don’t want millions. We simply want a comfortable life and the knowledge that we don’t have to struggle just to pay the bills or put food on the table.
Sound familiar? If so, you may very well be a Six Dollar Family yourself. In short, the Six Dollar Family is the family that is struggling to make it right now, but wants more out of life. They are the ones who dream big and know that with a little hard work, they can achieve their dreams and live the life they want to.
The Six Dollar Family Story
In April 2011, I logged onto my computer and a new era in my life was born. I had been using coupons for 7 years and wanted a way to share my coupon trips with my family. It was then that Adventures in Coupons was born.
AIC suddenly became a huge part of my life and as it grew – much more rapidly than I ever expected – it changed from a single wish to share my coupon trips to a desire to teach others to save as much money as possible, budget wisely and plan a financially stable life.
Over the next 4 years, Adventures in Coupons grew provide for my family, and continued to play a very prominent part in our lives. I will forever be grateful for those initial 4 years and what they taught me. I have had the opportunity to do things I never thought I would, have met absolutely amazing people, and was able to share my readers’ triumph’s, hurts and struggles right along with those that trusted me with their heart.
If I am never blessed again in my life, my first 4 years with AIC and the responses that I have received from my readers is enough for me in this lifetime (and most likely the next).
The change:
I wish I could tell you that I knew exactly when I realized my vision for this blog had changed. All I can really tell you is that it was the summer of 2014. I realized that I didn’t want to teach only coupons. In fact, I had stopped couponing in my own life and no longer wanted to even hear the word coupon. The quick answer is that not only had my vision for things changed, but that I was drastically burned out. My heart lies in helping people and I needed to express that. It took a year for me to let go of Adventures in Coupons. Without going into a huge amount of detail, AIC was a very large part of me and I honestly felt like I was letting go of a child.
When the idea that my family was a Six Dollar Family, I realized that I wanted to help others who could identify with that – that I couldn’t be the only one in the world who could relate to the idea of the Six Dollar Family and that those people were the ones I was looking to help – that I wanted to help those families do the same thing that I can now say I have done; become a six figure family.
In May 2015, I published my first book – appropriately called The Six Dollar Family: From Six Dollars to Six Figures.That first edition was rough, but over the years it has been updated and refined a bit more with each update. In June 2015, I pulled the trigger on letting go of AIC and we became what you see in front of you today.
I truly hope that your visit here with us at Six Dollar Family is one that you enjoy and learn from. It is my sincere hope that I can not only help you save money, but teach you to budget it, grow it and help you along on your journey in become that six figure family that we all want. You’ll find everything from cheap family recipes to home decor crafts, advice on being more self sufficient, practical DIY projects and of course, my favorite frugal living tips.
Lastly, if you ever need anything. Please don’t hesitate to contact me.
~~Stacy
While you’re here, be sure to check out our most popular posts. They are a fantastic way to get started with your journey to becoming a Six Dollar Family. You can find them below.
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
Grown Up Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe
*Huge* List of Free Wedding Samples
30 Things I Simply Stopped Buying and Started Making Homemade
Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Casserole Recipe
How to Get $1,091 in Free Baby Samples
Homemade Coconut Shampoo Tutorial
Homemade Chicken Fingers Recipe
30 Ways to Use Fels-Naptha Soap
Love the post. From one Ohio woman to another transplanted to East Texas !
Stacy, I’m 71 years old and i’ve never heard of adding vinigar to the rinse cycle. What is the purpose? It’s never too late for this ole bird to learn a new trick. Thanks
Abigail,
It works like fabric softener, but is much cheaper (and with less chemicals). 🙂
I quit my job to move to another state to be near my parents. When my dad died I found myself homeless and without a job and little in the bank. I moved into a convent for 6 months, while I was there, I met my hubby, he lived across country. We have also come a long way. We are both retired now, and struggle a bit financially, but our “Finds” help make ends meet. We furnished our home with garage sale, thrift store and Craigslist. God provides!
Hey Stacy…I love your transparency! Your story is humbling. I stumbled upon a twitter post That The Frugal Navy shared of yours on “Your Extra Income” report and wanted to reach out and share my passion for helping women reach 6+ figure incomes by “giving back”! I believe in paying it forward and it looks like you do too! God bless!
Your story gives me hope. My family never had to live in a homeless shelter; however, my husband, daughter and I have been living with relatives for three years due to financial and health problems. Sometimes it can be hard to hold on to hope that things will get better. Thank you for be willing to share your personal experienceso publicly.
Things will turn around Tasha. They always do. Good luck! 🙂
Love your Bio!!!! And thank you for bringing us the greatest deals and freebies!!!
Thank you so very much for sharing your experience. What really hits home is not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth… What a wonderful story to share to others and offer them hope that they too can look beyond their circumstances. I I appreciate your helpful hints also! Best wishes with your journey and blessings to your sweet family!
LOL Cheryl, I tell people I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth. 😉
That’s a great line! Way to make lemonade out of lemons ! You truly have a gift with words and are admirably generous in spirit. I’m inspired by your story and by your ongoing efforts to help others. Thank you so kindly and may that spoon now be silver.
I found you on Pinterest also and I like your six dollar family attitude. I’m 57 years old and have had a lot of ups and downs in my life . The only way I’ve gotten through is with friends and family by my side. I’ve learned some great tips from your posts . I look forward to reading more of them !!! Thanks…
Hi. I just came across your post for the home made dryer sheets and want to try it. I have everything. My question, is can I use another brand ( lorann gourmet)? It is food grade oil. Or do I have to use essential oil made for scent only?
Christina, I would think any scented oil would work, but since I only use EO or fragrance oils made for soaps, I can’t guarantee it.
I love your site!!!! For some reason, portions of your wonderful posts get cut off on the right side and im not sure what im missing (possibly due to ads?). I absolutely believe in commerce but am hoping you can tweek the site so i wont miss any of the valuable info you have to offer.
Debbie, we’re working on it. It’s a malfunction in our tablet design, not ads. If you view the site on a desktop, laptop or phone, it should be okay to read everything.
Your website is great!! I wish all websites were so easy to navigate!! The graphics you use are fantastic. Also, although I am an avid surfer of money saving tips, I picked up quite a few new ones for your site. You do a great job and provide a wonderful service to people. I am going to try your copy cat shrimp scampi recipe soon!! I just love to save money!!!!!!!!
Hi Stacy!
I happened across your blog through Pinterest, finding homemade alternatives to cleaning products. I’ve had tons of health problems in the last 8 years (I’m only 25!) and am super sensitive to chemical smells. That eventually just left me with the desire to use as few chemicals as possible–and the lessened impact on my budget doesn’t hurt either!! I was especially intrigued by your coconut shampoo. The only DIY shampoos I’ve come across are the baking soda ones and those don’t work well for me. Anyways, all that to say: when that recipe calls for coconut milk, is that out of a can? Full fat? With the fat mixed in? Just want to make sure I get the right stuff!
Thank you so much for your blog and your outreach to people. I only found your blog a few days ago and already I’m so excited and feel so blessed by it!!
Mandie
I just use canned coconut milk. I believe I linked to the ones that I use in the post. I’m glad you like the blog. That makes it all worth it knowing that my readers enjoy it. 🙂
What a wonderful story. God is obviously blessing your efforts to reach out to others and applaud you for your bravery and your honesty. Thank you for your willingness to share.
Hi Stacy,
I like you already, you are definitely an overcomer….and also beautiful ! I will be checking out all of your stuff this week.
Take care,
Judy
Hi Stacy,
I just stumbled upon your page to learn about your story. If you will, may I share mine with you?
Five yrs ago, my partner and I broke up after a 10 yr relationship. Without going into detail, I haven’t financially recovered; every day for 5 yrs has been and remains a struggle that often takes my breath away. I’m 2 paychecks away from losing everything despite working and watching what I spend.
I have 50K in student loan debt which only continues to rise, as I’ve had to defer my loan numerous times. And, with shame, I have an 18k credit card bill ( which is a first for me). Because, my outgoing expenses are more than my income; therefore, I’ve had to use my CC to supplement the differences. I also have medical bills that total 2,500.
I’ve always had a credit score of 800+ but its lower now and I’m embarrassed. Last year, I spent hours on the phone talking with a Credit Counselor who told me I was doing everything right but I needed a higher paying job.
I’m a Hospice Social Worker, I spend my days helping people die with dignity, peacefully and pain free. I love my job. I’m blessed bec I’m fulfilled every day by doing good, honorable work but social workers don’t make a lot of money.
Sadly, I have been looking for other jobs in my field that pay more despite my query of how fulfilled I would be in other positions. I haven’t any had leads but I continue to search daily.
I’m a single parent, 53 yrs old and I’m drowning; there are days that I ask myself when will I wake up from my nightmare. I don’t have family support, I have friends who try to keep me positive but I’m teetering on feeling hopeless, and already feel defeated. I’m not getting any younger, I want to travel, buy a cozy house and give my son opportunities that I didn’t have.
But, how, how, how????
Awesome testimony!
I stumbled across your pin of 30 things to stop buying and make yourself. I bought a book on essential oils last week. I’ve been struggling with body washes and just store bought crap in general, as well as my 15 year old daughter and had decided I wanted to learn more about essential oils, natural remedies, and natural cleaners. I made your recipes of all purpose cleaner and glass cleaner today, and my mind is blown! I can’t wait to try more! Thank you for sharing!!
Heather, if you’re struggling with getting them thick and not watery, most of my recipes have a salt solution at the bottom of them. That solution is what causes them to thicken up and most authors do not include them. Glad you’re enjoying the site so far. Thanks for the comment!