Is anyone still interested in Honey Boo Boo and Mama June? Probably not. But I still enjoyed this story because A) In Touch Weekly didn’t make this up, it actually came from the mouth of Mama June and B) because I completely relate to it. Even though Mama June and her family are raking in money from TLC and assorted other projects, Mama June is smart enough to know that “this too shall pass.” She loves shopping at Wal-Mart, she clips coupons and she puts all of Honey Boo Boo’s money into a trust. And when Mama June had one moment of weakness – by God, it was just ONE MOMENT – she felt guilty as hell:
The fame from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo hasn’t changed “Mama” June Shannon’s thrifty ways.
During a recent trip to NYC, the reality star tells In Touch that she treated herself to a $100 pair of Cole Haan shoes. Within minutes, guilt set in. “I spent way too much money on the shoes!” the coupon-clipping star, 34, tells In Touch.
Her remorse grew even more after finding a similar pair for just $13 at H&M. “I realized that [the receipt said] there were no returns and got so upset,” laments Mama June.
The fact that these $100 shoes bothered her so much proves that the family has not been affected by the fame and money earned from their hit TV show.
One splurge she doesn’t regret? “We hired a bodyguard,” she tells In Touch. “That’s the only thing [about us] that’s changed.”
Well, here’s something that might make Mama June feel better: I bet the $13 H&M shoes fall apart after a few weeks. I bet the Cole Haan shoes will last for a year or longer. When you look at it that way, sometimes it’s better to buy quality. But as I said, I relate to this. Southern cheapness is a special kind of cheapness. Yes, I shop at Wal-Mart on occasion too, even though I hate everything Wal-Mart stands for. I just can’t resist a great deal on a flat-screen TV or their inexpensive towels. And I too know the pang of regret of spending “too much” on something I needed, like a decent pair of shoes. I know Mama June because I am Mama June.
Photos courtesy WENN.
When I saw the little picture I thought it was kate Hudson ….
Ouuuch. (That was Kate Hudson)
At first glance I did too hahahah
daammmn! lol! I’m not gonna lie. She does kinda look like her.
I love this woman and her family – more stories about Mama June, Honey Boo Boo and Co please!!!!!!
I don’t know. I get it, they’re nice, they haven’t changed, etc., but I still feel uncomfortable with their fame. I’m glad the little girl is getting and saving some money, but I don’t like shows that feel to me that they should be named “Let’s Watch How Hicks Live and Laugh At How Dumb They Are.” It feels mean to me. Not the coverage of it on this site. I think that stays very respectful. Just the general concept of the show feels like ridicule.
Shows like this are intended to ridicule and stereotype. That’s precisely why I don’t watch them. These kind of shows truly make me uneasy.
We give titles power. If Mama June and the Boo Boo clan are tickled pink to show the world who they are and get paid doing it there’s no shame in that. If others take that honesty and pick it apart they sure can. It just exposes them as people who mock and hate. At the end of the day the shows foundation is a family bond.
Yes, they are gross by most standards, and extremely unhealthy, but they love eachother. They have a non tolerance bully policy and loads of respect for the LGBT community.
The show is not something I DVR, but it’s hardly the worst show out there. In fact, very far from it.
I’m with you, FLORC. I haven’t watched their show and won’t watch it, but there’s something about them that’s appealing once you get past the gross. June appears to have integrity; something missing from most reality shows. I shouldn’t even say that as I’ve never watched a reality show, but from what I’ve read she’s got integrity!
ITA, FLORC. Far from the worse thing out there.
Isn’t “watch us and ridicule us” the premise of all reality tv shows though? The stuff that gets said about the Kardashians on any given day just proves it.
True.
We watch and judge, but no matter how great the hate or judgement they get paid more because we tune in or read the articles.
I agree. I don’t think it is quite the same with the Kardashians because they are presented as somewhat unique. I get the feeling that “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” sometimes plays to our worst prejudices about Southerners, Christians, the poor, and the heavy. On the plus side, I think Mama June is somewhat wise to that.
I hadn’t watched an episode until recently. I wasn;t sure I wanted to see it. But I felt compelled to watch it since they were a bit of a punch line While a big chunk of it was rubber necking at the rednecks I learned that they were a really nice family who love and support each other.
I only feel bad people need to use them as a punchline when they are simply a family that love each other and want the best for each other.
Exactly. I’m uncomfortable with their fame. Not because they are being exploited. But because people actually care about their lives.
I grew up 15 minutes away from Perry, Georgia (where they live). Some Southerns really fit the bill in the stereotype of the show but the majority of us are not like that at all. We do speak southern constantly (It’s just lazy talk LOL) but we’re an intelligent bunch. Our homemade recipes for any dish are amazing and we’re pretty darn nice. What bothers me about the show is the fact that a child is being glitzed up with makeup and hair products. I was at Walgreens a few weeks ago and saw a 9 year old in a full face of makeup and me, 24, had none on. I wasn’t allowed to wear make up until 15 and I didn’t have a cell phone until I was 17.
I use to dislike this family until I heard about how they donate all the free things given to them to charity and the less fortunate. It was nice to see that despite having some degree of fame they haven’t lost their sense of self.
The H&M shoes would not fall apart that quickly but they would never fit quite right. I always need to insert forms under the pad and even then the heel slips.
ITA, I bought a pair of shoes there once and regretted it because the fit wasn’t great. I normally don’t spend a lot on clothes or whatnot but I now will make an exception for shoes / boots. A well made pair will last a heck of a lot longer and will be way more comfortable too.
I have never bought a pair of shoes there and now I never will, thank you. Are their clothes the same? I always walk by and look in but have never actually been in because I wasn’t sure of the quality.
The clothes at H&M have a very generic fit (so you must try it on before purchasing to see if it fits okay) and most of the time the quality of the fabric there is poor. I do have a few things from there that I like though, but I wear them sparingly so they don’t wear out fast (love their scarves too). I have not and will not buy shoes from there.
thanks littlestar and j!
I must be the only one here who’s had the best luck at H&M.
Depending on the brand you get there the fit is snug or loose. It’s generally not a store that will hide a muffin top.
The stitching has always held up and the fabric (depending on brand) has been fine through heavy wear. Though thin fabrics do form holes, but that is common in every store that sells tight thin articles.
I’m not a shoe girl. Give me flats or a 30 minute warm up period to remember how to walk in heels. So, I can’t comment on their shoes.
You aren’t, FLORC. I’ve only shopped at H&M a few times, but the stuff I bought (in Germany, believe it or not) has been great. I got a great little khaki jacket for $30 that looks a lot more expensive than it was.
I agree, LadyMTL – if I am going to spend a little extra, I do it on the shoes.
Blue – I have not had any problems with their clothes. I just get basics there – blouses and t-shirts. I do have to go up a size or two in their pants but they fit okay. (Their kids clothes are great, should you ever need to get kids clothes)
Agree with J – their sizes are a little bonkers. I have to buy an 8 in pants there when everywhere else I’m a 4/6.
When I was on holidays in the States, we decided to go to the Grand Canyon, and so I had to buy some kind of enclosed shoe. I had time only to duck into H&M and grab some tennis shoes before we left – and over a year later, back here in Aus, I’m still wearing them constantly because they’re so damn comfortable. Best $12 ever spent!
I’ve covered malls and shoe stores looking for simple heels under $100. Only to find them at H&M. Some inserts to make them more comfy and I was set for a long while.
Now if you want bad shoes go to WHBM.
She does sound sensible and have a good grasp of life – something that seems amiss in other reality stars. I never watch her show, but bless her heart and her family.
I love this! I want to hear more about thrifty celebs. I love that she puts their money into a trust fund for her daughters. I really never thought that when Mama June came on the scene I’d one day think “I like that lady’s style!” Great attitude.
Words of wisdom: Always “splurge” on things that goes between you and the ground, i.e. shoes, tires, mattresses, etc.
How refreshing. After seeing all those reality stars wearing Louboutins while going flat broke, I love hearing about someone on TV who feels guilty over a $100 pair of shoes. As we say in the South, “Bless Her Heart”, for keeping the real in reality.
$100? I need her restraint.
It’s good they’re smart with their money, but do not cheap out on shoes! Especially if you have back or any kind of joint problems, a good pair of shoes can help a lot.
Buying my cleats were painful and they were $102. I didn’t buy new ones for 7 years until those actually (not literally) came apart. Pretty much the only shoes I spend more than $40 on are cleats because I don’t want to break an ankle so I feel Mama June on that one.
I’ll apologize in advance for picking this apart, but I really can’t help it!! Actually and literally mean the same thing. I think you mean actually (not figuratively).
And I agree with you. I wear my running shoes until something falls off, even though I know it’s not necessarily good for my feet.
I relate to this so much b/c last year I bought a pair of winter boots for $84.00 and felt guilty about it at first b/c I really didnt have the extra $$ at the time but that was such a great sale price (think they were closer to $150.00 regularly). after this winter on the east coast I can honestly they were worth every penny and then some. I will buy them again even if they are not on sale.
I have learned the hard way that it doesnt pay to be thrift with foot ware. I still have my limits tho. In fact there is a pair of dressy black boots that Im dying for but they’re like $185.00 and I cant bring myself to buy them but I have the page bookmarked and check it regularly in case they have an amazing sale. Now Id rather wait until I can afford a decent pair rather than by a cheaper pair that dont really excite me like these do(I have a boot fetish).
Mama June is 34?!! God… d_mn!!!!
I never watch their show and I have to admit, when the whole Honey Boo Boo phenomena started, I just rolled my eyes because I cannot stand the whole Toddlers and Tiaras idea. And to be honest, I just thought they were just a bunch of idiot redenecks. But, I can’t hate on this family. I still can’t watch the show, but everything I’ve read about them tells me that they are a very close, loving, accepting family and they despite all the attention, they’ve stayed very level headed and realistic about what they’ve got and how quickly it could end. And I admire that. You go, Mama June.
That family does show love and support for each other. I watched the first season, but after that it got too gross for me. I always felt like they were a lot savvier than they got credit for. June seemed to be in on the joke. She knew good and well why they had their show and why people were tuning in, and she didn’t care. She’d gladly take the money and laugh all the way to the bank.
I do think it’s a little sad that she feels such guilt over her shoes when who knows how much they’ve spent on HBB’s pageants. I can identify with her as a mom there. I eat the burnt toast, too.
Aww, I heart Mama June.
My mom always says “If you take care of your feet, they will take care of you.”
One pair of $100 shoes isn’t going to your hurt you, Mama June. You’ll be ok.
I love her. Sweet family.
I really and truly think they are good people, but I watched an episode once that showed Mama June preparing a favorite dish for one of the girls. To say that I was freaked out would be an extreme understatement.
She took one or two cans of cranberries, put them into a baking dish, then coated it with 1/2 a bag of white sugar. Then she said something like, “Now all you have to do is let it set in the fridge for an hour or so. It’s real easy!” I don’t know what freaked me out more, the dish she had just prepared, or the giant bowl of Cheetos where a fruit bowl would normal sit.
Still, you know that she is a good person, and I would rather hang with her than 1/2 the people in Hollywood.
I really love Mama June. I don’t watch their show (don’t have that channel because we are CHEAP! Woot!), but I love hearing about her “real-life” sensibilities.
Love the family and show!!
As much as their behavior (and culinary skills) grosses me out, I can’t deny that they seem EXTREMELY down-to-earth and wise with their monies. I’ll take them over the Kartrashians any day.
I always regret buying shoes for around that price, but the few that I have bought I still have. All the junky crap ones have fallen apart or killed my feet and I had to stop wearing them. I still have pricey sandals that I bought years ago and they are still in good shape. If you don’t go overboard and just buy the select few that are always a classic style, you will be fine. Knowing that I don’t have to buy new shoes yearly feels good. I feel like I actually save money when buying a expensive pair of shoes.
P.S. I love Mama June
Treat yo self mama June.
My Birkenstocks cost $150, last about a year with constant wear. Worth it.