The Duggars and money

[Sundaymorning]

I've been wondering about these things for quite a while. Maybe someone here has some answers or estimates.

 

1. how much do the Duggars get from TLC?

2. how much do they make from other stuff like books or speaking engagements?

3. do the adult children get their own share of TLC/books/etc money or goes it all to Boob?

4. especially interesting: what happens with the money that the four oldest girls make with their own book?

5. if an adult Duggar kid would decide to flee the compound could they force Boob to pay them their share of the TLC or books money?

 

I think this topic about Duggars and money is very interesting since money always means power. And if the adult Duggar girls would have some dough in their own bank account, it would give them a lot of independence and would make leaving for them a lot easier if they decide to one day.

[socalrules]

I don't think the Duggar kids are actually legally owed anything. My understanding is that TLC only cuts one check. It's likely that Jim Bob and Michelle get all the money and the adult kids just signed waivers so that their image can be used and they are not paid. The younger kids are the responsibility of the parents so they don't get anything if the parents dont want to give it to them. Reality TV isn't like being on a sitcom or drama. The network does not have to pay you even scale because you are not an actor. You are just allowing your likeness to be used. TLC isn't going to start cutting individual checks for each adult in a family because then you have everyone negotiating higher salaries and TLC is spending more money than it's worth. This isn't Jersey Shore or Real Housewives where every person is important to the story line and is basically a character for the show. The Duggars are a group and really are not worth anything separately. Everyone is really interchangeable or replaceable except Jim Bob and Michelle.

I remember this being an issue on Jon & Kate because a couple that was either family or friends were on the show quite often and where never paid, they just signed releases. Once they started asking for compensation Kate made sure they were never on the show again. I think Jon & Kate were making about 25k an episode total and their ratings were way higher than the Duggars have ever been. I cannot see the Duggars making any more than that, plus they get the extra perks such as trips and I am sure expenses. If anything, the overhead for this show is probably very low.

As to the book, I highly doubt much money was made. I am sure the publisher didn't even make the advance back.

[Rescinded and Mended]

I've always thought that the oldest kids weren't paid anything unless marriage factored in somehow. We know Jim Bob puts the money in a trust, and I think some money was probably given directly to Derick as a wedding gift. Not a lot to offset what Jill should have been paid for her years on the show, but some. Ben is less established than Derick, so when he marries Jessa, Boob might be willing to part with a bit more as a wedding gift to him.

I don't believe that JB will ever give any money directly to any of his daughters in the belief that they should be married and under the authority of a man.

As for a lawsuit, I think it could be possible so long as a Duggarling sued Jim Bob directly and didn't try to go after TLC. As socalrules pointed out, there are laws in place which protect reality TV entities. I'm hoping for a change in those laws in favor of protecting children on reality TV shows in the future, and I hope at least one of those kids goes after Jim Bob.

I really don't think Jim Bob Duggar gives up any more money than he has to, unless he's pissing it away on a dead-end political maneuver - then he'll gladly spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on that while his wife and kids get handouts from the church. Michelle once said on the show that he's so tight he squeaks when he walks. It's probably why she only has one damn shirt in three different colors, is because he doesn't want to spend the money. :roll:

[utter solitude]

It looks like she's still wearing maternity clothes.

[silverspoons]

TLC is cheap, it is money off of product placement & endorsements that will make the Duggars more per episode then what TLC pays. Kate Gosselin made around 25k an episode from TLC paid to one family account but could easily make over 200k if she had product placement. I'm not just taking about the cheesy switfter duster placements. Kate's kids carried a doll and it was 10k per kid with the doll per episode.

Jim Bob I think LOVES the free travel aspect. TLC tapes Erin wedding and pays for Jim Bob's gas in the bus and remember Josh's move with like 8-9 trucks , buses and an RV all gas paid for by TLC and food. Jim Bob is already going to Big Sandy so how great is it that TLC pays all his expenses so they can film plus 25k! This must be his dream.

I wish I could believe the older kids get their own funds but I'm not that Hopeful. I believe Josh does now that he is married, but after seeing Kate Gosselin deal and Kody Brown's deal being paid as one family unit, I say the Duggar family gets paid one check from TLC.

I would love to know how many books the older girl sold. I looked on amazon sales and they sold about 500 hardback and 700 kindle copies in July. It doesn't seem to be a super great seller? I bet Jim Bob would keep the money safe and give it to each daughter when they marry. Isn't that convinent, got four girls that will be married most likely in the next 5 years and they can write a book so they won't have to work and can start having some grand duggars!

TLC is a hard corporation to fight so I say no to the kids ever getting any money from the show or endorsements if they left. I would think any kid that really wanted to leave could sell stories to magazines and media for 5-10-20k and have a decent start. How many 18-20 years old would like to start off with 25k. They could easily rent a small apartment, buy a used car and start life with a small nest egg off of selling their story. Look what a great example Jill and Jessa are of selling their story to start their lives. why couldn't Joy sell a very different story and get a nice start to life?

[Dandruff]

I would love to know how many books the older girl sold. I looked on amazon sales and they sold about 500 hardback and 700 kindle copies in July. It doesn't seem to be a super great seller?

I suspect they sold a lot more books during the book tour. To get to chat with the Duggars while they autograph books, people first need to buy the books.

[Toothfairy]

Was the book on the ny times best seller list

[Alachantal]

It looks like she's still wearing maternity clothes.

If I were pregnant for as long as she was, I probably wouldn't own anything other than maternity clothes, just sayin... :shock:

[Luisainlondon1]

I suspect they sold a lot more books during the book tour. To get to chat with the Duggars while they autograph books, people first need to buy the books.

But 500 hardback and 700 kindle copies is nothing. Especially when you see them promoting it so much. Makes me very happy! :D

[Four is Enough]

A copy of "Growing up Duggar" was found in the book bin of our local Goodwill. My daughter and I left it there. :lol:

[Mitz_]

So if the duggar kids ARE cut in by Jim Boob, I wonder when their pay would begin? At conception or at birth?

[AussieKrissy]

A copy of "Growing up Duggar" was found in the book bin of our local Goodwill. My daughter and I left it there. :lol:

ohhh I think the temptation would have been to great for me not to purchase it, just to flick through and snark at it.

I would have justified it as my money is not going to the Duggars but to charity (I am assuming goodwill is a charity based thrift store).

[Hooligan]

I have heard J'shelle say "leave and cleave baby, leave and cleave" more than once. I believe Josh paid them rent and I assume Derrick does as well. I too doubt that the daughters got any money of their own and that any dowry (they do have their brains in the 1800's) went directly to Derrick and will to Ben with the passing of authority. The book is far from a financial success given the Amazon numbers even if one does account for sales at signings. Derrick can provide a nice life but I do not expect Boob to carry Ben.

*edited because some strangeness got in there.

[TheChibi]

ohhh I think the temptation would have been to great for me not to purchase it, just to flick through and snark at it.

I would have justified it as my money is not going to the Duggars but to charity (I am assuming goodwill is a charity based thrift store).

I have to admit I bought their first book at a thrift store, I wanted to know if it was as bad as everyone said it was. But at least like you said, the money went to the thrift shop and not the Duggars.

[mebeforee]

I've been wondering about this a lot lately, too. Although it might not be much, the actual royalties from the books must go to the authors of those books, right? I can't see a way in which any of that would go to JimBob. However, it would be split between all four of those girls. But whatever they get would be their own money.

In terms of TLC, I've been really trying to figure out if the adult kids have their own compensation from the show. The more I've seen about it I think probably not, not until they leave the Duggar household. My guess would be that as long as they live in the family house, the money goes to the parents. Maybe their contract is over filming in the house in general, so anytime they have guests or any adult children living in the house, that could be covered under the original deal with JimBob and Michelle. If that's the case, the adults really would only be signing releases or contract agreements to be involved but the money would be the parents. But then once they leave and go live on other properties, that's a separate trip for the camera crew and is totally separate from the rest of the family, so they might have to draw up a new agreement and those individuals probably get some compensation. That would explain how Josh and Anna managed to stay afloat, if they were getting money for the show (as I think we all suspect they do, especially now living in a house not under his dad's ~umbrella~). I'd guess (and hope) that Jill and Derrick will also be compensated for any filming of their family that takes place outside of the Duggar mansion.

[AussieKrissy]

I've been wondering about this a lot lately, too. Although it might not be much, the actual royalties from the books must go to the authors of those books, right? I can't see a way in which any of that would go to JimBob. However, it would be split between all four of those girls. But whatever they get would be their own money.

In terms of TLC, I've been really trying to figure out if the adult kids have their own compensation from the show. The more I've seen about it I think probably not, not until they leave the Duggar household. My guess would be that as long as they live in the family house, the money goes to the parents. Maybe their contract is over filming in the house in general, so anytime they have guests or any adult children living in the house, that could be covered under the original deal with JimBob and Michelle. If that's the case, the adults really would only be signing releases or contract agreements to be involved but the money would be the parents. But then once they leave and go live on other properties, that's a separate trip for the camera crew and is totally separate from the rest of the family, so they might have to draw up a new agreement and those individuals probably get some compensation. That would explain how Josh and Anna managed to stay afloat, if they were getting money for the show (as I think we all suspect they do, especially now living in a house not under his dad's ~umbrella~). I'd guess (and hope) that Jill and Derrick will also be compensated for any filming of their family that takes place outside of the Duggar mansion.

The one thing I hate about reality shows is the way the children are treated compared to child actors. To me they are essentially one in the same.

Child actors have laws which govern how many hours they are allowed to work, their education and their payments, they have legal protection from explotation to some degree.

These reality kids have no say in their own lives and get none of the legal protection granted to actors.

I look at the poor Jon and Kate kids for another example other than the Duggars.

I could rant on and on about the subject but at the moment I am not feeling all that articulate or verbose.

[Feberin]

I think out of reality star kids the Duggars have a decent hope of getting to see some of their money. I mean compared to the Gosselins or Teen Mom or the Browns I think the Duggar kids stand a good chance. While there is a lot I dislike about Jim Bob he does appear to be pretty good with money. Even before the specials started he'd managed to own enough property that he didn't have to work a regular job while supporting 14 kids. Plus having money to put towards politics. Sure the kids wore used shoes, ate cheap crap and were all living in very close quarters but he was supporting a family of sixteen! And I would assume that Jim Bob has continued to do well for himself since then even if you ignore the show and all the money that brings into the family.

I think it's very safe to assume Josh gets paid separately they had way too much money while they lived in Arkansas for it to have been just from the car lot. Whether he gets a separate check or Jim Bob writes him a check with his share in some way Josh is getting paid and I think the same will be the case for Derrick and Ben.

I would assume Jim Bob gives a very generous gift when his children marry and plans on giving each of the boys some money to start businesses and the girls carry a dowry for their potential husbands. How else would Josh have started the car lot? I also think while the show is running Jim Bob knows enough to make sure his children and grandchildren are having their basic needs met. It's all fine and good to say that they are thrifty or show Jessa clipping coupons or shopping at Goodwill but people are going to be upset if we see Grand-duggars not being fed enough or a family of eight living in a two bedroom house with bunkbeds in the kitchen. The Duggars want people to see their decision to accept as many children as God gives them as something to be exalted and preteen non-fundie girls to see it as what they want for their futures not look at the Duggars as a tragic tale of poverty.

[roddma]

I don't think they were doing well at all before the show. No matter how good someone is with money, 14 kids is a lot of mouths to feed and clothe. Then I consider Boob a big time cheapskate. He complained about the bus fair once and that te place thy played broom ball started charging $3. Used shoes are gross. Frankly, I would besurprised if the any of the kids besides Josh got a cut of the TLC money.

[Hooligan]

I think out of reality star kids the Duggars have a decent hope of getting to see some of their money. I mean compared to the Gosselins or Teen Mom or the Browns I think the Duggar kids stand a good chance. While there is a lot I dislike about Jim Bob he does appear to be pretty good with money. Even before the specials started he'd managed to own enough property that he didn't have to work a regular job while supporting 14 kids. Plus having money to put towards politics. Sure the kids wore used shoes, ate cheap crap and were all living in very close quarters but he was supporting a family of sixteen! And I would assume that Jim Bob has continued to do well for himself since then even if you ignore the show and all the money that brings into the family.

I think it's very safe to assume Josh gets paid separately they had way too much money while they lived in Arkansas for it to have been just from the car lot. Whether he gets a separate check or Jim Bob writes him a check with his share in some way Josh is getting paid and I think the same will be the case for Derrick and Ben.

I would assume Jim Bob gives a very generous gift when his children marry and plans on giving each of the boys some money to start businesses and the girls carry a dowry for their potential husbands. How else would Josh have started the car lot? I also think while the show is running Jim Bob knows enough to make sure his children and grandchildren are having their basic needs met. It's all fine and good to say that they are thrifty or show Jessa clipping coupons or shopping at Goodwill but people are going to be upset if we see Grand-duggars not being fed enough or a family of eight living in a two bedroom house with bunkbeds in the kitchen. The Duggars want people to see their decision to accept as many children as God gives them as something to be exalted and preteen non-fundie girls to see it as what they want for their futures not look at the Duggars as a tragic tale of poverty.

The fact is that these Fundies DO live in poverty. Even these first generation ones. Not the Duggars of course because of the show. I read an article that said Josh borrowed the money for the car lot and paid it all back. It takes a fortune to maintain that house and feed and clothe and provide medical for that lot. The kids are not going to get much money if any.

[Coconut Flan]

Strange stories abound about the car lot. The property was in Jim Bob's name though.

[Feberin]

The fact is that these Fundies DO live in poverty. Even these first generation ones. Not the Duggars of course because of the show. I read an article that said Josh borrowed the money for the car lot and paid it all back. It takes a fortune to maintain that house and feed and clothe and provide medical for that lot. The kids are not going to get much money if any.

Oh I know that there are many fundie families living in poverty but the Duggars don't want their viewers to realize that or associate them as being poor. I mean one of the praises you always hear about them is that they can support their kids. And I don't think they were doing great before but clearly they were managing somehow or I would expect JimBob would have been still selling cars or something when the specials started. Whatever you can say about Jimbob he wouldn't let his kids actually go hungry. And I'm sure it takes a lot of money to maintain the house and caring for 17 kids still at home has got to be astronomical however do we know what Jimbob's non TLC income is at this point? I know he rents land for a cell tower and has a bunch of rental properties. I just don't see the Duggars like other TLC reality families such as the Browns pissing away all their money. Jimbob is still one cheap bastard.

[utter solitude]

I don't think they were doing well at all before the show. No matter how good someone is with money, 14 kids is a lot of mouths to feed and clothe. Then I consider Boob a big time cheapskate. He complained about the bus fair once and that te place thy played broom ball started charging $3. Used shoes are gross. Frankly, I would besurprised if the any of the kids besides Josh got a cut of the TLC money.

The Duggars own a shit load of commercial (and some residential) property that they rent out. They also own a cellular tower that they rent out as well. Before the weekly show started, Boob and J'Uterus were well off enough that neither needed to work. Iirc, they both still have valid real estate licenses.

At the moment, Boob is worth over three million. That ain't from TLC!

celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/jim-bob-duggar-net-worth/

[neuroticcat]

For most books, authors are paid with a sizeable advance. Then, after their book "earns out" by selling enough copies that the royalty percentage adds up to the advance amount. Then, authors receive royalties for every copy they sell.

i imagine the daughters got paid an advance - but I'd bet anything it goes into the family bank account. MAYBE, they get to save it as a dowry or something. And then the book would have to sell well to earn out.

[roddma]

The Duggars own a shit load of commercial (and some residential) property that they rent out. They also own a cellular tower that they rent out as well. Before the weekly show started, Boob and J'Uterus were well off enough that neither needed to work. Iirc, they both still have valid real estate licenses.

At the moment, Boob is worth over three million. That ain't from TLC!

celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/jim-bob-duggar-net-worth/

That income might have served them well with a few kids. Rental property income is tricky. There is insurance, upkeep, and periods of vacancy. They still needed help from their church. Michelle mentions they often lived off rice three times daily. $3 million would be a fortune to a fmaily of say like3- 5 kids. My guess the reason he nets $3 million Boob is so cheap and he finds ways to spend someone else's money.

[utter solitude]

That income might have served them well with a few kids. Rental property income is tricky. There is insurance, upkeep, and periods of vacancy. They still needed help from their church. Michelle mentions they often lived off rice three times daily. $3 million would be a fortune to a fmaily of say like3- 5 kids. My guess the reason he nets $3 million Boob is so cheap and he finds ways to spend someone else's money.

I don't remember Moochelle mentioning "living off rice", do you have a source?

All I've ever read has a clear timeline of them working various jobs (sales, towing, etc) then going to that seminar about living debt free. Then, they took advantage of the recession to buy up a ton of property. They bought their land and the kits for their house without borrowing. (TLC helped finish it, of course) When Boob ran for office, he spent thousands on thousands of *his* money to do so. That ain't cheap XD

Since then, the family is just fine. Yes, the TLC money makes a difference, but it seems people grossly exaggerate it. That cell tower alone probably makes them quite comfortable. Yeah, they're spending more than they were before, but to imply they're living on the edge? We don't have evidence of that.

As much as I snark on them and disagree with them, I respect the fact they've used their resources smartly enough to provide for their giant family.

Edited because I know how to finish sentences