Secrets of extreme savers
You can put away a lot more than the average American without living a deprived life.
Live on one salary while bringing in two
Savings Rate: 38%
Home: Williamsville, NY
Occupations: Cristin, author and co-founder of The Eve of Reduction website; Patrick works in sales for a computer distributor
Living on one salary when you have two incomes takes discipline, but that's what Cristin and Patrick Frank did for six years so Cristin could eventually stay home with the kids. They lived on Patrick's $75,000 a year salary while banking the $45,000 a year she took home as a project manager at a design agency. Last year, they were able to pay off the $124,000 mortgage on their home in the Buffalo suburbs. A few months later, Cristin quit her job to be with her sons and pursue a writing career.
Yet even on one income they're still socking away 38% of Patrick's pay. They make do with one car, dropped Cristin's cell phone, and rarely eat out. That doesn't mean they don't splurge: They recently spent $700 on a Weber gas grill since they love to cook at home so much, and they take annual vacations to places like Cape Cod and North Carolina's Outer Banks. Cristin also earns extra money by what she proudly calls garbage picking. "I've made a few thousand dollars fixing up furniture and selling it on Craig's List. You won't believe what people toss out on the curb," she says.
NEXT: Automate savings
Last updated July 19 2010: 9:04 AM ET
