Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)

[EmeraldGirl]

6 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Somewhere, I forget exactly, Jill posted printing/shipping rates.  She claims they print at cost and don't make a profit. 

So how did they ever have any money at all before the magical plexus came along? Are they on welfare? The money thing doesn’t add up at all.
 

She is damn lucky to never have had a child with any serious illnesses. Although I guess that remains to be seen with some of the younger ones like Sophia, who looks extremely unhealthy. Even though that seems to be mostly environmental.

[crazy8s]

From the rodrigues family website 1,000 tracts are $80 plus $20 for shippjng. If you want more than 1,000 you have to call for pricing.

Dave has stated many times they "are able to provide no cost printing for international orders". Purchaser only pays shipping fees.

[BradandJanet]

The Clearinghouse monthly stipend and low-cost or public healthcare have kept them above water. They also get cash "love offerings" and meals and gifts from the churches they visit on their singing tours. However, they were struggling for a while, even with Jill's grifting. They've been given a house and more than a few cars over time. Jill makes a little money selling Plexus and clothes in the creamy boutique and running the ladies' retreat, and Hunk runs an informal car service for the Amish. Life has become even better as the sons have grown up and gotten jobs, and Nurie and Kaylee married employed men. They all pay a Jill tax one way or another. 

Jill doesn't seem to worry about spending money on herself these days, so they must be doing OK. It's to her advantage to look poor, but she has a hard time not showing off on social media. 

[satrunrose]

I think we've figured that the Clearing House must make up the bulk of their income. $100 per 1000 tracts may not be exactly right for at cost, but it isn't enough profit to care for a family and while I certainly believe Plexus is keeping Jill in manicures and baseball bonnets, even the most optimistic numbers from plexus itself isn't enough to support a family. Unless Dave is secretly making bank on Amish uber, I think the waifs have encouraged enough of the kindly folks at their grift stops to give them a monthly donation through the Clearing House to keep things more or less afloat. 

[CalicoKitty]

Does anyone go over their taxes?   Plexus does report earnings, including commissions and trips to the IRS.  I think Etsy also reports earnings.  The Clearing house must report earnings, if it is a legit organization.  Maybe Dave's "taxi service" and anything Jill makes on the Ladies convention meeting thing and all the grift donations for singing is under the table.  Maybe they collect way more "love gifts" than we think.

[oliviabenson]

they probably get food stamps. I doubt Jill would pass up free $. 

[emma675]

Didn't they also rake in several thousand in those government tax child credits (I can’t think of what they were called officially) during Covid? I remember us trying to calculate how much they got total since it was per child. Obviously that ended a while ago, but I think that proved they aren't above taking government handouts even while complaining about said government. 

[oliviabenson]

55 minutes ago, emma675 said:

Didn't they also rake in several thousand in those government tax child credits (I can’t think of what they were called officially) during Covid? I remember us trying to calculate how much they got total since it was per child. Obviously that ended a while ago, but I think that proved they aren't above taking government handouts even while complaining about said government. 

they built the upstairs attic and the additional room using the COVID $. they certainly received many many thousands! 

the furniture hunk sits in watching his map was bought new with that free $. 

[EmeraldGirl]

Not to mention, claiming all those children on your tax return every year.
 

I am surprised she’s so eager to marry off all the older kids. They were kind of holding their band together, or whatever you call their performing. I thought Kaylee had a rather nice voice when you could hear her over Jill. The waifs aren’t cutting it at all since they all seem so much younger than they really are, and I haven’t really heard any decent singing from those little girls.

 

[libgirl2]

3 hours ago, EmeraldGirl said:

I am surprised she’s so eager to marry off all the older kids. They were kind of holding their band together, or whatever you call their performing. I thought Kaylee had a rather nice voice when you could hear her over Jill. The waifs aren’t cutting it at all since they all seem so much younger than they really are, and I haven’t really heard any decent singing from those little girls.T

 

I always got the feeling they are there for sympathy and to drum up more money as they look so forlorn. 

[crazy8s]

I think quite a few churches support them directly as missionaries outside of the clearing house money. Some of the churches they stop at have the rod family listed under our missionaries or whatever.

Jill has had them scheduled at a bunch of new churches this year. Get the direct love offering, a big meal, maybe sell a few tracts, but to get on the monthly support list is also her goal.

[Lady Edith]

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but “at cost” also includes the cost of labor. It’s the total cost that a company has to produce said widget.  So DBD, being the only press person there, most likely charges for his work as part of the cost of the print projects. So even though they aren’t marking up the cost of the print pieces for profit, he is more than likely making a salary on them. 

[oliviabenson]

the younger 2 during the performance just stand there or suck on rags. I don't think they actually  sing anything. maybe mumble.

she needs Kaylee to pump out a few more blessings for the Jill circus band.

Edited Wednesday at 10:40 PM by oliviabenson

[Salacious Kitty]

3 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

the younger 2 during the performance just stand there or suck on rags. I don't think they actually don't sing anything. maybe mumble.

she needs Kaylee to pump out a few more blessings for the Jill circus band.

Even Gideon won't be stage ready for a few years. It will be a while before Jill has replacement waifs for the act. 

[BradandJanet]

5 hours ago, crazy8s said:

I think quite a few churches support them directly as missionaries outside of the clearing house money. Some of the churches they stop at have the rod family listed under our missionaries or whatever.

Jill has had them scheduled at a bunch of new churches this year. Get the direct love offering, a big meal, maybe sell a few tracts, but to get on the monthly support list is also her goal.

The Cleaning House is funded by donations from the churches. I believe the donations are pooled and each missionary receives a monthly stipend. How the CH determines the salaries is intentionally not stated on the website. 

It's possible that churches also pay missionaries separately. However, my understanding of the purpose of the Clearing House is to be a one and done with the burden of supporting the outreach and also giving the missionaries a predictable income each month. The love offerings at each visit are extra cash that goes right into David's baggy suit pockets. 

13 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

they built the upstairs attic and the additional room using the COVID $. they certainly received many many thousands! 

the furniture hunk sits in watching his map was bought new with that free $. 

Yes. They hired Amish carpenters to build the addition, and Jill requested an upgrade on the staircase (the one she later fell on and "tore" her knee in four places). Jill furnished and decorated the addition right after it was finished. 

What Jill and David don't seem to do is put away money for emergencies or retirement. 

[libgirl2]

8 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

the younger 2 during the performance just stand there or suck on rags. I don't think they actually don't sing anything. maybe mumble.

she needs Kaylee to pump out a few more blessings for the Jill circus band.

Their job is look malnourished and forlorn, all the more to get more donations. 

Just now, BradandJanet said:

What Jill and David don't seem to do is put away money for emergencies or retirement. 

God will provide or whatever congregation they are grifting at will. 

[oliviabenson]

Jill's retirement plan is to mooch off her kids. I think her main target will be the Keller family.

Edited Tuesday at 07:11 PM by oliviabenson

[libgirl2]

Just now, oliviabenson said:

Jill's retirement plan is to mooch off her kids. I think her main target will be the Keller family.

Sure, her dearest Nurie! 

[Salacious Kitty]

2 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

Jill's retirement plan is to mooch off her kids. I think her main target will be the Keller family.

Nurie will need a much bigger place to house all of Jill's clothes and home decor. I doubt she will be willing to part with her precious tchtokies. 

[emma675]

Quote

The Cleaning House is funded by donations from the churches. I believe the donations are pooled and each missionary receives a monthly stipend. How the CH determines the salaries is intentionally not stated on the website. 

Someone on reddit is claiming that Dave once said they get $5,000 a month from the clearing house. And that it's not taxable because it's church related funds. I don't know how true that is, but I was staggered. That's a significant amount of money, imo. Although probably not near enough for Jill's own personal budget of coffee, nails, vacations, and ratty hair extensions. 

[Absolom]

They should get a 1099 from the clearing house. Just as they should get a 1099 for the love offerings. I'm not holding my breath that the small, fundie churches they visit have someone count the cash and do the paperwork.  They are supposed to do that though.

[CalicoKitty]

Jill has posted that some churches have given them meals, gift cards, shopping trips at the thrift store and a dining room table.  And cars and musical instruments.  And vacation homes.  She is a pro.  She knows how to word things to make sure no taxes are involved.  I wonder if she declares the profits from her cds and news letter subscription.

[Salacious Kitty]

Her newsletter is now subscription? She used to blog, but that's in the rearview. 

She posts enough on her socials to inform her churches of her activities. 

[CalicoKitty]

She was trying to get subscriptions to some newsletter or mailing of some sort at one time.  I think someone posted that only one or two people subscribed, so she stopped.

[Salacious Kitty]

5 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

She was trying to get subscriptions to some newsletter or mailing of some sort at one time.  I think someone posted that only one or two people subscribed, so she stopped.

Like most of her money making schemes, a dismal failure. 😂

[lookeyloo]

3 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Jill's retirement plan is to mooch off her kids. I think her main target will be the Keller family.

I used to tell my children that my mission in life is to become a burden upon my children.  Sweet Son's husband, who we are still very close with, said back then "mission accomplished".  Then he felt bad and I said that was the funniest thing I had heard in a long time.

[crazy8s]

5 hours ago, emma675 said:

Someone on reddit is claiming that Dave once said they get $5,000 a month from the clearing house. And that it's not taxable because it's church related funds. I don't know how true that is, but I was staggered. That's a significant amount of money, imo. Although probably not near enough for Jill's own personal budget of coffee, nails, vacations, and ratty hair extensions. 

even if they did get $5,000 a month it is not that much for a family that size. They have a mortgage on the barndo to pay and the property taxes. Jill has claimed twice there electricity bill is near $1,000 a month.

Dave has certainly been on video several times saying sometimes he doesn't know how they will pay the bills in any given month. That's just grift talk because shortly after Jill and Dave are off for a little "well deserved" getaway or they have a new shed/generator/printing machine etc.

[Minivanessa]

7 hours ago, Absolom said:

They should get a 1099 from the clearing house. Just as they should get a 1099 for the love offerings. I'm not holding my breath that the small, fundie churches they visit have someone count the cash and do the paperwork.  They are supposed to do that though.

Yes. The church may be tax exempt, but the people who are paid for services by it, are not exempt from paying income tax - including missionaries. That link is to an article that's a quick look at the subject; there are some potential exemptions but generally, as you said, David/Jill should get a 1099 from the clearinghouse. 

[merylinkid]

19 hours ago, BradandJanet said:

What Jill and David don't seem to do is put away money for emergencies or retirement. 

Grifters don't think ahead.   They only think of immediate wants and needs.   That's why the Christmas tree was redecorated.   Jill decided it needed to be done and instead of thinking well its already decorated and we can put that money into savings for the future, she went and spent it.   Because grifters always believe that something will turn up.   They never think the grift will end.  

[lookeyloo]

31 minutes ago, merylinkid said:

Grifters don't think ahead.   They only think of immediate wants and needs.   That's why the Christmas tree was redecorated.   Jill decided it needed to be done and instead of thinking well its already decorated and we can put that money into savings for the future, she went and spent it.   Because grifters always believe that something will turn up.   They never think the grift will end.  

Many people, not just grifters like them, live in the moment.  But they are champion grifters.

[Notabug]

14 hours ago, Minivanessa said:

Yes. The church may be tax exempt, but the people who are paid for services by it, are not exempt from paying income tax - including missionaries. That link is to an article that's a quick look at the subject; there are some potential exemptions but generally, as you said, David/Jill should get a 1099 from the clearinghouse. 

Yep, I've got a couple friends who are Catholic priests, serving in parishes.  They are paid as independent contractors by the Diocese, not as employees.  So, they get the full check and are expected to put aside for their income taxes, federal, state and local, and pay them out of pocket.  At the end of the year, they get a 1099 instead of a W2.

The average Catholic priest in the US makes around $37,000 a year.  If they live in the church rectory, BTW, they pay rent for that, too. If they got free housing, the value would be added to their 1099 as income.

[oliviabenson]

Jill is going to be in a nursing home taking selfies and videos for her fans. She is delulu who never puts down her phone.

[andromeda331]

13 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Jill is going to be in a nursing home taking selfies and videos for her fans. She is delulu who never puts down her phone.

I want to see a video of Jill's kids dumping her into one. I'm sure she expects them to take care of her and continue to cater to her every needs and wants. It would be awesome watching her find out her kids are dumping her in a nursing home and then do it. 

[lookeyloo]

4 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

I want to see a video of Jill's kids dumping her into one. I'm sure she expects them to take care of her and continue to cater to her every needs and wants. It would be awesome watching her find out her kids are dumping her in a nursing home and then do it. 

I am just guessing she has put the fear of her version of god into them about abandoning her into a nursing home and they will rotate her care out of guilt or sense of fear of the afterlife.

[merylinkid]

1 hour ago, lookeyloo said:

I am just guessing she has put the fear of her version of god into them about abandoning her into a nursing home and they will rotate her care out of guilt or sense of fear of the afterlife.

I dunno she has also modeled be selfish and think only about yourself.   I could see them going "yeah, sorry gotta go on the grift tour mom, see ya in a few weeks" when dumping them off.   

[Notabug]

1 hour ago, merylinkid said:

I dunno she has also modeled be selfish and think only about yourself.   I could see them going "yeah, sorry gotta go on the grift tour mom, see ya in a few weeks" when dumping them off.   

We haven't seen much of Jill's devotion to caring for her sick mother after she milked it for all she was worth for the first few months. and the Go Fund Me she set up didn't get as many donations as Jill wanted.  

I think Jill spends very little time with her parents, let alone provides any help to them at all herself.  She might send a kid for a week or so, but even that ain't happenin' if Jill needs said kid to go on a grift tour with the fam or to take care of Jill's young'uns.

Jill has no interest in others, even family, unless she can find an angle that will benefit her.

[lookeyloo]

2 hours ago, merylinkid said:

I dunno she has also modeled be selfish and think only about yourself.   I could see them going "yeah, sorry gotta go on the grift tour mom, see ya in a few weeks" when dumping them off.   

Fair enough.  I am too old to know how this will finally play out!

[Nysha]

Hopefully, Jill's kids will do what my son has lovingly promised to do - find the best homeless shelter in the state and drop me off there once I can no longer take care of myself. 

This is a joke, obviously, but when I visit my oldest son after Christmas I'm going to talk to him about my wishes: a DNR and if I end up with dementia to the point I can't take care of myself, a nursing home. I have no desire to become a burden on my kids.

[Salacious Kitty]

3 hours ago, Notabug said:

We haven't seen much of Jill's devotion to caring for her sick mother after she milked it for all she was worth for the first few months. and the Go Fund Me she set up didn't get as many donations as Jill wanted.  

I think Jill spends very little time with her parents, let alone provides any help to them at all herself.  She might send a kid for a week or so, but even that ain't happenin' if Jill needs said kid to go on a grift tour with the fam or to take care of Jill's young'uns.

Jill has no interest in others, even family, unless she can find an angle that will benefit her.

Phillip was staying with the Turtlenecks for some time before Thanksgiving. Jill has since said she had anywhere between 8-10 kids at home. So, we don't know where Phillip or Sam are at this point. Phillip may well have gone back to live with the Turtlenecks, and Sam in Tim's house. Or they could both be at the barndo. But I hope Jill is doing SOMETHING for her mother. 

It's believed they are currently in WV Amy apparently has pneumonia. 

Edited Thursday at 09:09 PM by Salacious Kitty

[ginger90]

22 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

It's believed they are currently in WV

It’s believed who is in WV?

[Salacious Kitty]

9 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

It’s believed who is in WV?

Thr Rod family. 

[ginger90]

25 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Thr Rod family. 

Without Jill even mentioning Amy is currently ill on social media at all? That would be out of the ordinary. This would be quite something.
 

What will Jill’s hospital performance be this time? 🤦‍♀️
 

 

 

[Salacious Kitty]

3 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

Without Jill even mentioning Amy is currently ill on social media at all? That would be out of the ordinary. This would be quite something.
 

What will Jill’s hospital performance be this time? 🤦‍♀️
 

 

 

I don't know if she can top the hospital baby shower when Amy was in the ICU. 

[crazy8s]

38 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

Without Jill even mentioning Amy is currently ill on social media at all? That would be out of the ordinary. This would be quite something.
 

What will Jill’s hospital performance be this time? 🤦‍♀️

Samuel and Brianne engagement would work if she could take over an atrium or something.

[Notabug]

43 minutes ago, crazy8s said:

Samuel and Brianne engagement would work if she could take over an atrium or something.

Jill could set up a nice donation box for strangers passing by to contribute to the purchase of her mother of the groom ensemble.  That's what she did when she threw her own baby shower in the ICU waiting area while Amy was in critical condition.  Jill naturally assumes other people are more than happy to give her money.

Seriously, though, in someone like Amy who is quadriplegic, pneumonia can be life threatening.  She undoubtedly has some weakness in the muscles that help her breathe which makes her vulnerable to lung infections.

Edited Thursday at 11:30 PM by Notabug

[ginger90]

I’m not including all of the pictures that are with this.

[merylinkid]

Name the last book you read Jill.   

Yeah that was when I tuned out.

[mythoughtis]

Everything is a tragedy or a blessed event with Jill.   Highs and lows.  Emotions rampant every moment. Living with her must be exhausting.  

[oliviabenson]

she is always crying. I do think there is some issues that she has that a psychiatrist can help with. also a doctor for her thyroid and swollen body parts.

last book Jill read: the menu at a restaurant! 

[Madtown]

Does Nurie know she lost the "best friend" award to Jesus?