Most parents dream of providing their children with boundless opportunities, but financial realities often set limits. For the Nelsons, famously known as the “Not Enough Nelsons” online, limitations seem nonexistent when it comes to their sixteen children. Many are curious how such a large family manages their expansive lifestyle, including a sizable home and numerous children. Mom Tiffany Nelson recently shared the story behind their prosperity, emphasizing that their current success was earned through years of hard work, starting from a place of significant financial hardship.
“We were dirt poor… I mean genuinely dirt poor,” Tiffany revealed in a revealing YouTube video from March 2022. This statement might surprise those who now see their seemingly lavish lifestyle, but the journey to their current situation was paved with relentless effort and determination.
Tiffany explained that when she and her husband, Benji, were newly married, both held down six jobs simultaneously. They married while Benji was still in college, a period not typically associated with high income. Their early days were characterized by a tireless work ethic and a commitment to building a future together, despite their limited financial resources.
“I worked at an ice cream shop, and I also distributed newspapers. Every morning, Benji and I would deliver newspaper bundles to all the paperboys,” Tiffany recounted, illustrating the humble beginnings of the Not Enough Nelsons. These early jobs were far from glamorous, but they were essential steps on their path to financial stability.
Tiffany and Benji Nelson in their early years, working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Beyond delivering newspapers and scooping ice cream, the resourceful couple sought out other income streams. They even sold salt to local grocery stores, anticipating the need for road salt during winter snowfalls. This entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to seize opportunities, no matter how small, were key to their early financial gains.
Forget romantic date nights filled with fancy dinners; Tiffany described their date nights as “collecting cans.” Three nights a week, every week, they would gather recyclable cans, turning what many might overlook into a source of income. Remarkably, in one year, their can-collecting efforts yielded around $950 – a testament to their dedication to saving and building their finances from the ground up.
By the time Benji completed his college education, their combined savings from multiple jobs and frugal living had reached over $20,000. This milestone provided the confidence to venture into real estate. They decided to invest in a house with the intention of flipping it for profit. This initial foray into real estate proved successful; within two years, they sold their first home for a profit of $28,000 to $30,000 more than their purchase price.
Emboldened by their initial success, they repeated the house flipping strategy with their next property. This time, their profit margin soared to an impressive $90,000. “Then we had a huge nest egg,” Tiffany recalled, marking a significant turning point in their financial journey. This nest egg was the foundation upon which they would build their future.
Leveraging Tiffany’s talent for drawing house plans, the couple decided to use their growing savings to construct their own home. This was more than just building a house; it was building their dream, brick by brick.
View this post on Instagram
However, the Nelsons’ journey was not without significant setbacks. The financial crisis of 2008 brought unforeseen challenges, leading to bankruptcy. At this point, with ten children, both biological and adopted, the situation was undoubtedly daunting.
“We lost pretty much everything that we had built and worked so hard for over 10 years,” Tiffany admitted. The loss was devastating, but rather than succumbing to despair, they chose to view it as a harsh but valuable lesson. “But you know what? Live and learn.”
The experience of losing everything prompted a significant shift in their priorities. The relentless pursuit of financial success took a backseat to family time. They consciously decided to step away from their “workaholic ways” and focus more on their children.
Looking back, Tiffany reflects that she “wouldn’t even change” the experience of bankruptcy. The forced pause allowed them to re-evaluate their values and strengthen their family bonds. They managed to rebuild their development business and further supplemented their income with Tiffany’s successful daycare business.
Today, the Not Enough Nelsons family has grown to sixteen children and boasts a thriving YouTube channel with over 1.3 million subscribers. Their children’s ages span from 4 to 25 years old. Despite the trials and tribulations, they express contentment with their family’s unique journey.
“We never thought that we would end up with 16 kids — but we love them all,” Tiffany shared, encapsulating the heart of the Not Enough Nelsons story – a story of resilience, hard work, and the unwavering importance of family. Their journey from “dirt poor” to a life of abundance is a testament to their perseverance and serves as an inspiration to many.
