How could Al Bundy afford a 2-story, 3 bedroom house - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-18-2019, 04:24 AM

And raise two children while only working full time at a women’s shoe store?

TMC · 07-29-2020, 12:48 AM

I was reading another observation that suggests that the Bundys were in fact poor. According to Bundyology, the highest estimate would put Al's income at $12,000/year. Adjusting for inflation for the inflation to 1987 dollars (the first year of the show, so it could be less), that comes to just shy of $27,000. For a family of 4, they were barely getting by, which was often a source of conflict in the show.

Al could easily have been paying 15% in mortgage from a loan in 1980 he can't refinance because of his poor credit. Even though the house was probably $40,000, that would mean a monthly payment of $790. That $1,000 a month hourly is gone between that and bills, so he has no discretionary income other than his commissions.

jimpickens · 07-29-2020, 02:04 AM

Maybe it was a fixer upper or maybe in his early years Al was a great salesman but somewhere down the line became disillusioned.

OH Nuts! · 07-29-2020, 03:14 PM

Simple: It’s a sitcom TV show: it doesn’t have make sense or add up!

When you think about it, how many REALLY do?

GentlemanJim · 07-29-2020, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

And raise two children while only working full time at a women’s shoe store?

The same way Thelma Lou could afford her own house.

jimpickens · 07-30-2020, 01:59 AM

It always amazes me that allot these sitcom families with medium to low incomes could always afford nice homes and other things and yet nobody ever questions how.

Virtual · 01-22-2022, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimpickens

It always amazes me that allot these sitcom families with medium to low incomes could always afford nice homes and other things and yet nobody ever questions how.

I agree, in this show for example, we the viewers are made to believe that Al can't even afford decent food or clothes on a regular basis (and gets the rest of his money swiped by Pegy for her shopping) but is able to keep living in a nice home.

I suppose we should just enjoy the show instead of thinking about this.

TMC · 04-17-2022, 04:08 AM

Although it was admittedly tacky and grungy looking, the Bundys' house was still pretty big for a one salaried from a low tiered job family. So it was a bit of a stretch on the show's part to convince us that the Bundys were dirt poor.

TMC · 03-08-2025, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimpickens

It always amazes me that allot these sitcom families with medium to low incomes could always afford nice homes and other things and yet nobody ever questions how.

More specifically or directly, how could a shoe salesman like Al Bundy support a family of four on a single income and have a decent sized home in the same neighborhood as a bank manager like Marcy?

TMC · 07-24-2025, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Want to know the real deal behind Al Bundy's lavish lifestyle on Married... with Children? In this video, I dive into the numbers to find out if Al's modest shoe salesman salary can really afford his crazy family's outrageous spending habits. From Peggy's endless shopping sprees to Kelly's constant demands for designer clothes, we crunch the numbers to see if Al's budget can keep up. Can he really afford to live large on a shoestring income? Let's find out!

10-18-2019, 04:24 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,545	How could Al Bundy afford a 2-story, 3 bedroom house And raise two children while only working full time at a women’s shoe store?

07-29-2020, 12:48 AM	#2
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,545	I was reading another observation that suggests that the Bundys were in fact poor. According to Bundyology, the highest estimate would put Al's income at $12,000/year. Adjusting for inflation for the inflation to 1987 dollars (the first year of the show, so it could be less), that comes to just shy of $27,000. For a family of 4, they were barely getting by, which was often a source of conflict in the show. Al could easily have been paying 15% in mortgage from a loan in 1980 he can't refinance because of his poor credit. Even though the house was probably $40,000, that would mean a monthly payment of $790. That $1,000 a month hourly is gone between that and bills, so he has no discretionary income other than his commissions.

07-29-2020, 02:04 AM	#3
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,389	Maybe it was a fixer upper or maybe in his early years Al was a great salesman but somewhere down the line became disillusioned.

07-29-2020, 03:14 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Simple: It’s a sitcom TV show: it doesn’t have make sense or add up! When you think about it, how many REALLY do?

07-30-2020, 01:59 AM	#6
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,389	It always amazes me that allot these sitcom families with medium to low incomes could always afford nice homes and other things and yet nobody ever questions how.

04-17-2022, 04:08 AM	#8
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,545	Although it was admittedly tacky and grungy looking, the Bundys' house was still pretty big for a one salaried from a low tiered job family. So it was a bit of a stretch on the show's part to convince us that the Bundys were dirt poor.