The family that saves together spends (more time) together.

Check out this broadcast from ABC News and see how TV shows like Dallas (from the ‘80s), The Honeymooners (‘50s) and present day Gossip Girl all speak to how drastically different American families’ home lives are. OK, they’re not real-life families. And if TV trivia’s not your thing, you’ll be glad to hear that there’s another useful message coming from all of this: the more simply families live, the closer they are.

We’re not surprised. Above all else, the economic crisis has taught us that American families are taking stock of their lives. They’re spending less money on each other, and more time with each other. That means eating dinner at the dinner table (what a concept). Going on family walks instead of family shopping sprees. In general, they’re scaling down, saving up and focusing on what’s most important — each other. We want to know what’s bringing your family closer together in the name of saving these days. Send us some of your thriftiest and most unique ideas.

Tags: Family, Kids, Spend Wisely