A frugal mother of two has ignited a heated debate after disclosing that she charges other parents for playdates with her children. Brianna Weimar, from Monroe, Washington, took to TikTok to share her controversial approach, which includes asking for reimbursement for snacks, soap, and even electricity used during these visits.
In her TikTok video, Brianna, 33, explained the rationale behind her actions, which she acknowledges has led to backlash. She posted screenshots of a conversation with another mother who accused her of running a “price-gouging scheme.”
“Six months ago, my husband and I were losing money despite our $140,000 annual income,” Brianna admitted in her video. “The cost of living got us real good, and we desperately needed to make a change for the sake of our family.” She then listed the changes they implemented to start saving again.
Brianna began by emphasizing the importance of differentiating between wants and needs. “Our generation has been conditioned to buy as soon as a want arises,” she said. For instance, although she had wanted double-walled coffee cups for a long time, she waited until she found them at an op shop because they were not a necessity.
Tracking their spending was another crucial step. “This changed the game because it helped us see where we were overspending,” she noted. Brianna created an auto-calculating spreadsheet to identify problem areas, discovering that food was a significant expense. To address this, she now plans meals meticulously and audits their fridge to avoid waste.
To save money, they shop at local markets and budget-friendly stores like Aldi, only resorting to more expensive supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths when absolutely necessary. “The prices at Coles and Woollies are literally out of control,” she remarked. She found that items like washing powder are the same price at The Reject Shop as when they are on special at Woolies.
Brianna also saves by buying toys and clothes from op shops and has become “obsessed” with Facebook Marketplace. She proudly shared that she bought a $1,700 Bugaboo pram for just $200 on the platform.
In the TikTok video, Brianna recounted a specific incident where she charged another parent $36 for a playdate at her house. “I sent a Venmo request for $36 to my son’s friend’s mom after they came to our house for a playdate – and she sent me the rudest response,” Brianna said. “I do not think I was in the wrong here but read these text messages and let me know what you think.”
Responses to Brianna’s video were mixed. Some viewers were skeptical and critical. One TikToker commented, “I just don’t understand how this is possible. I earn like $80k and my partner is a med student. I have to pay for her med school tuition out of pocket every semester $7k, and I’m doing fine.” Another wrote, “I’m on $60k, single parent with a mortgage, no child support, and are doing fine… something is terribly wrong if you can’t afford life on $140k.”
However, many responses were supportive and appreciative of Brianna’s efforts. One user said, “Great post. Gen X here, I think we spoiled your generation with instant reward to make up for what we didn’t have. Great job changing your mindset.” Another added, “Love the effort you guys are going through. Long term, this is going to make a huge difference.”
Brianna’s story highlights the diverse perspectives on financial management and the varying challenges people face, even at higher income levels. Her approach underscores the value of thoughtful spending and financial literacy in navigating the cost of living.