USA Today and GMA Put One Richardson Family on a Budget

Meet the Pivnicks of Richardson. Sounds like an ABC sitcom, actually. USA Today and Good Morning America Weekend found two families willing to take part in their joint Frugal Family Challenge -- and, of course, one of those families is local (and, so happens, the husband works for a Gannett-owned...

By Robert Wilonsky

September 26, 2008

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Meet the Pivnicks of Richardson. Sounds like an ABC sitcom, actually.

USA Today and Good Morning America Weekend found two families willing to take part in their joint Frugal Family Challenge -- and, of course, one of those families is local (and, so happens, the husband works for a Gannett-owned company that peddles coupons via a direct-mail mag). So, by all means, meet Richardson's Jennifer and Bruce Pivnick and their four kids, who moved to North Texas from Southern California because they absolutely despised the scenery and climate, by which I mean Richardson's just a less expensive place in which to live, if you don't count property taxes and the AC bill.

The piece in the paper today chronicles their budget-cutting, which resulted in a 30-day savings of around $2,000. (And, hey, Nordstrom Rack on Preston Road gets some free pub!) And in their video, you'll also discover why their property taxes and AC bill are so high. That ain't no small house. Four kids, though. Need the room. --Robert Wilonsky

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