How Do the Duggars Make Money? A Look Into Their Finances

Anyone familiar with the Duggars knows they're big on being frugal. On their show and in their numerous books, they love to preach about how they've managed to live debt-free with 19 kids. The family buys everything used, makes their own laundry soap, pays for everything in cash, and they even invest a lot in cheap commercial real estate. You've probably heard Jim Bob or Michelle Duggar droll on about "buy it used and save the difference." They preach it so much, it's as much a part of their image as ankle-length skirts or pickles. It all sounds a little too perfect, and that's because it is. The reality is that, before TLC and the days of owning planes, the Duggars were reportedly pinching pennies and relying on handouts. And oh yeah, they definitely had debts. Below, all the ways the Duggars haven't been completely honest about their finances.

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TLC allegedly paid for their house.

In the Duggars' first TV special, they lived in a tiny three-bedroom house that they crammed with 14 kids. Because they were outgrowing the space, Jim Bob purchased a large lot and built the house on it. On the show, Jim Bob claimed that he, John-David, and Josh all built the house together themselves with zero experience and with only help from one contractor. As for the money, Jim Bob said they made more than enough revenue renting out their various commercial properties.

If all of that sounds too good to be true, that's because there's a possibility it is. "Alice," the anonymous commenter who first revealed the Josh Duggar molestation scandal seven years before In Touch Weekly did, claimed that TLC paid the family $200,000 to complete their house. Although the Duggars bought the lot themselves and had already started construction way before TLC cameras showed up, the house was allegedly not up to code and incredibly behind schedule. According to "Alice," the only thing the Duggars paid for was the commercial-sized kitchen that they bought from an auction in cash. (The Duggars confirmed the part about the kitchen purchase in The Duggars: 20 and Counting!)

TLC sort of confirmed this during the special On the Road with 16 Children. While talking about the new home, the voiceover explained that TLC "helped with the finishing touches." Hey, that's all the confirmation we need.

The Duggars are far from living "debt-free."

When doling out financial advice, Jim Bob and Michelle are always preaching about how they live a debt-free life by living within their means and buying everything used. Being "debt-free" is such a huge part of their image that they've devoted entire episodes and whole chapters from their books about it. But the reality is that the Duggars do have debt, according to public records we obtained.

Back in 2007, a company who laid down concrete on their property filed paperwork threatening the Duggars for an unpaid $3,433 bill. The family eventually paid the bill a whole four months later after a lien was filed. Of course, a little $3,000 bill is probably chump change to the family now, but it's hardly living "debt-free."

Then there's the mystery surrounding the house they lived in before their big new home.

Before moving into their gigantic 7,000 square-foot current house, the Duggars were all crammed into this little house that was featured on 14 Kids and Pregnant Again. The family eventually sold the house to the church next door in 2001 and it was demolished. Jim Bob claimed on the show and in their books that he saved up seven years worth of savings to afford to pay $65,000 for the house in cash.

But according to public property records, Jim Bob acquired the house in 1992. Judging by the warranty deed, he paid a grand sum of $1 for it. Considering the home used to be owned by Michelle's father, Garrett Ruark, it's possible Jim Bob paid for it off the books. But if Jim Bob did pay $65,000 for the house, why would he sell it to the church for only $1? We guess it's a mystery.

They reportedly earn $25,000-$40,000 per episode.

Although the Duggars share a lot of great financial advice, like buying used and investing in real estate, most of their income comes courtesy of being reality TV stars. Shocking, huh? According to reality producer Terence Michael, reality show families tend to earn 10 percent of the show's per-episode budget. So, for example, if an episode costs $250,000 to shoot, the Duggars would get $25,000. And considering each episode takes around three to four days to shoot, that's a pretty good income. Makes more sense why they don't really do much else workwise when you think about it…

They get money from product placements.

Many of the items in the Duggars' home are allegedly not paid for by the family. According to anonymous commenter "Alice," TLC purchased all their furniture, and the rest of their items were donated by companies. "Everything inside the house was given to them except the kitchen," they claimed. "They did buy that themselves. The rest is all free. Mary [Duggar] and Josh was (sic) on the phone day and night asking for donations from soup to Computers. They also received a Baby Grand Piano from Campbell Soup Co."

This is something fans have long suspected from the Duggars. Most recently, the family's social media accounts have come under scrutiny for blatant ad sponsorship.

They receive a lot of donations.

Although the Duggars hardly need to rely on free hand-me-downs now, back before they were reality TV megastars, they relied predominately on donations. This is no secret. Jim Bob and Michelle have both spoken about the generous donations they received from church members, who gave them everything from furniture to clothes.

However, sources on the Internet have alleged the Duggars would receive free food from pantries and even get free used vehicles donated, although we couldn't confirm these claims. If that's true, it paints a much darker picture of the Duggars pre-TLC. They were a family that struggled to make ends meet and might possibly still be struggling now if it weren't for their show.

Not to say the family doesn't work hard (their tip to "buy used and save the difference" is good advice to follow), but the Duggars and their TV show try a little too hard to make the family look perfect. And judging by what we've dug up, that's clearly not the case. No one is picture perfect after all, right?