10 TV Shows to Watch to Save Money
Posted by Kristen on September 20, 2012
Sometimes after a long day at work, the only thing I have energy for is watching television. But I realized that I could still be productive while relaxing and watching TV. There are several great shows that have helped me learn how to save money, how to budget, and how to get out of debt. I’ve even learned creative, cheap ways to decorate my apartment, how to lower my bills, and how to save money on my grocery bills.
Money Saving TV Shows
Here are 10 shows you should tune into to start saving money:
- Til Debt do us Part. Whether you’re looking to get out of debt or just want to make sure you won’t get in, Til Debt do us Part is a great show to learn how to create and live by a budget. Host and finance expert Gail Vaz-Oxlade examines couples’ debt and daily finances. While I’m dealing with a large amount of student loan debt, this show is on my top priority list. The couples on the show must work together to figure out what’s causing them to be in debt, a way to pay it off, and most of all, how to live more in their means. The best tip I’ve learned from the show is after creating my monthly budget, use cash instead of credit and debit cards so when the money is gone, it’s gone.
- Princess. The CNBC host, Gail Vaz-Oxlade, also helps a different kind of financially lost individual in the show, Princess. This show features generally younger guests who have a tendency to indulge in too much shopping, keeping up their appearance, dining out, or frequenting bars and night clubs. More often than not, the “Princess†doesn’t know how much she, or sometimes he, is spending and how much they are actually making. Gail helps them stop borrowing from friends and family and how to take control on their budgets and financial future. This show would be good for parents of teenagers for tips on controlling spending.
- Rachel Ray $40 a Day. In this show which runs on Food Network and Travel Channel, energetic TV host Rachel Ray visits various cities around the world with just $40 to spend on food. Rachel talks with locals and scours for deals to keep her under budget. She spends the $40 on breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sometimes a drink, dessert, or snack as well. Besides seeing great places for a cheap meal, Rachel’s ideas and tips inspire me as well no matter where I’m traveling and help me save money while traveling. For example, she has looked in local newspapers to find deals and opted for a more pricey place for breakfast or lunch since meals are generally more expensive at dinner.
- $24 in 24. Along the same lines is a newer show on Food Network, $24 in 24. On the show, host Jeff Mauro searches for cheap eats across America. This is the perfect show to watch before heading out for a vacation to learn where and how you can find an affordable option. Jeff searches for affordable options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The first season he’ll be visiting Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Minneapolis.
- Ten Dollar Dinners. Food Network’s Melissa d’Arabian proves that you can still cook a delicious meal on a budget. The recipes featured on the show are only $10, and they feed a family of four people. If you think cheap cooking equals boring, simple dishes then think again. Recipes on the show include Braised Country-Style Pork Ribs, Pork Carnitas, Salmon Cakes, and Shrimp Scampi Pasta to name a few.
- The Nate Berkus Show. You might remember designer Nate Berkus as a regular guest on the Oprah Show. Nate’s budget friendly décor tips where so popular, he was given his own show that now runs on the Own Network. Nate often features great do-it-yourself house projects, simple home décor tips, money saving home makeovers, and even budget fashion tips.
- Downsized. The TLC reality show Downsized features a large, blended family that is learning to deal with much less money than they are used to. After borrowing money and filing bankruptcy, the family is ready to make a plan to downsize their lifestyle and start getting their finances back on track. Watch as the family finds ways to make extra money, cuts their cable bill, slashes their food budget, and even starts making cleaning supplies to clean homes. This show is great if you have a family or young children since the family on the show has kids of all ages. You can see how the family explains finances to their kids and gets their children involved in saving money and making extra money.
- The Suze Orman Show. Another frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey show, Suze Orman, got her own show as well. The financial expert shares her advice on heavy hitting issues on the OWN network as well as CNBC. Orman discusses mortgages, retirement funds, investments, and other big picture financial issues. There’s also an interactive segment on every show where viewers call and ask Suze the question, can I afford it? Viewers break down their income, savings, bills, and debt after sharing their desired purchase.
- Extreme Couponing. The popularity of extreme couponing skyrocketed after this show premiered. If you haven’t seen it, the show features people who coupon to the point where they are getting hundreds of groceries for nothing or even better, getting money back. I don’t quite have what it takes to be an extreme couponer, but I have learned a lot about couponing. I’ve learned how to get organized and where to find coupons.
- Your local news. It might not seem like it, but the news is very useful for saving money. In the morning, you can find the traffic report so you’re not burning gas. My local news features deals around town including at restaurants, clothing stores, and grocery stores. In addition, I’m always hearing about free fun events like concerts and festivals as well as free health talks or health screenings.
Which TV shows do you watch that share money saving tips?
More TV Show Finances
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“Extreme Couponing” is a fraud. Just do some Google searches and you will see that the results shown on the show are for “TV only” and do not exist in the real world.
i love the rachel ray show!
I love Til Debt and Princess. I can’t stand the Suze Orman’s show. I don’t know why but she really gets on my nerves. It seems so informercial-esque.