Celebrity

Honey Boo Boo’s Mom is Actually Doing Something Smart with Her Reality Show Money

By Samantha GrossmanJan. 08, 20130

JB Lacroix / Getty Images

June Shannon and Alana Thompson 'Honey Boo Boo' are seen at The Grove on October 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

Say what you will about 7-year-old pageant star Alana Thompson — a.k.a. Honey Boo Boo — and her proudly redneck family, stars of the hard-not-to-watch-it TLC show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. But thanks to her mother, June Shannon, Honey Boo Boo is set up for some long-term financial stability.

Shannon, also known as Mama June, told TMZ that she’s taking all the earnings from the show and dumping it directly into five separate trust funds. One, of course, is for HBB; three are for Mama June’s other daughters and one is for her granddaughter. According to TMZ, the family reportedly earns between $15,000 and $20,000 an episode.

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Apparently, the girls aren’t allowed to touch the money until they turn 21 — with exceptions for school or medical emergencies. “I want my kids to look back and say, ‘Mama played it smart,’” Shannon told TMZ. “Not like those other reality TV people.’”

In fact, Mama June has arranged for TLC to deposit the money directly into the trust funds. All she receives is an email confirming the amount. In the meantime, Honey Boo Boo’s father, Mike “Sugar Bear” Thompson, makes money through his work as a contractor, which is how the family continues to pay the bills. June said she has no plans to buy anything extravagant, and the family’s only recent large-scale purchase was a Ford Expedition in 2005.

Of course, it’s hard to say if Honey Boo Boo herself will be as frugal as her mother once she turns 21 and gains access to her fortune. Here’s hoping she doesn’t blow it all on go-go juice and ‘sketti.

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39 comments

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grape_crush

4 Like

Yeah, they're unschooled rednecks, but they love and care for each other and seem happy. Who am I to judge?

It's good that money is getting put away for the kids' future. Not a dumb thing to do.

fucttt

3 Like

I was actually thinking about this poor little girl being exploited by her poor upbringing, but, then I realized -- at least she'll have some money in the future and avenues will open for her when she gets older. And who am I to judge? What's normal now?

I watch Doomsday Preppers' and that seems a lot crazier than that family.

Hunnybooboo.com is where it's at.

To all the people who think they are better than her --- lol ---

vedamen

How can this mother and father think is is ok to raise 3 morbidly obese children? How can they think that it is okay to raise these children with absolutely no manners, unable to speak clearly enough to be understood, and to being totally disgusting is okay? I just don't understand this form of child abuse and it is child abuse

frankcar1965

"unable to speak clearly enough to be understood"?!!! Once again the eliticist prevails. Because they have a thick southern accent you think they are disgusting- you are the one who is disgusting! As I said before, if they were black you would keep you mouth shut about their speach. Just what do you teach your kids? Probably something I might not like either- who are you to judge. Bet you like the Kardashians though. You make me sick.

frankcar1965

shredhead777

@frankcar1965 eliticist isn't a word

frankcar1965

And I rest my case- you are a twit

skiffy_grrl

1 Like

@vedamen Up until recently my husband and I weighed over 300 lbs. each. We were also raising a son who made the honor roll every semester in high school, who has gone on to getting a college degree with honors, and a master's degree, summa cum laude. Based on my husband and I he will probably gain weight as he gets older. I don't consider parenting while fat to be child abuse, and I think I've done a good job raising him. Please go park your thin privilege somewhere.

Shootist

3 Like

@vedamen Certainly none of your business how anyone raises their child.

saphyrerosewg

1 Like

Being from the south, it's how the typical stereotype of "redneck" is viewed: fat, toothless, and hillbilly speak. Many southerners are not obese, toothless, and hillybilly speaking. Many of us are very well educated, take pride in maintaining our physical health by eating a good balance of healthy foods and excercising, and promoting such habits in raising our kids. There is no "hate" here. The point being made is much of the USA is overweight. And unfortunately the low income families have a hard time affording healthier fresh foods . This family is fortunate that they are not in that category any longer. The fact that they are investing the money is a very good thing; however it would be even wiser to take some of those earnings and invest in a weight loss program that would ENRICH the lives of the parents, who, at least the mother, are obviously morbidly obese. A healthier lifestyle would be nothing more than beneficial to the children in the long run.

saphyrerosewg

as in healthier lifestyles, the parents will live longer in general.

saphyrerosewg

1 Like

and be able to continue to guide and provide good support to their children.

StevieShardae

1 Like

Quite amusing to see how many people on here are calling a child "stupid". All of you are worried about what perception she gives her children.. I can only imagine how you are raising your kids. With atitudes like that you must be raising your children to be bullies. So ashamed of the human race.. I don't watch it personally but I would much rather see America watching a loving down to earth family.. who by the way hasn't changed who they are or spent all the money on ridiculous and frivilous purchases, than see America watching shows way beyond rediculous like "Jersey Shore", "Catfish" or even Teen Mom which glorifies Teen pregnancy. You all should be ashamed. Some people live and act differently than others... I'm sure your lifes aren't peachy and not much farther off than the way they live. She may be large but atliest those children will know the meaning of Family unlike most.

BenWhervin

3 Like

Good for her. I've made plenty of fun of this family, but I'll give them credit for doing the right thing here.

Funinthesun

Very sad America! Anyone who watches this trash is trash

frankcar1965

1 Like

Funny you're here too then. Must be trash too. You read it too- you're a liar.

JAGUARS_FAN1

2 Like

@Funinthesun if you read this article you are trash has well.

SmoothEdward1

It’s the Hatfields and the McCoys, without the guns. A condescending peek into redneck, morbidly obese, barely able to score on the normal range of an IQ Test, America. A new low for Hollywood producers seeking to profit by putting these people on television to amuse American mall rats.

StarMc

1 Like

I'm wondering if the psychics on this thread can give me a reading too...? Since you're so sure you can predict this little girl's future.

Said with my best country accent: Y'all are funny!

janie.paredes

Loving the show, would like it if Alana would be called Honey boo boo by her family and friends on the show. It would be funny if everytime the train went by, the whole family would yell TRAIN, every single time.

frankcar1965

5 Like

Bunch of haters! If she were black no one would dare comment for fear of being called racist. But since she is a redneck it apparently is ok and the game is on. Stupid elitist attitudes. It doesn't help that they are southern either. Also if Mama June were some beautiful looking woman instead of being overweight and poor very few nasty things would be said about them. Typical american attitudes. Yet we never miss all the stupid "reality" shows where everything is so completely fake but everyone so goodlooking. What a world we live in.

Funinthesun

@frankcar1965 You are clueless. The mother is obese and had 3 chins! What kind of example is that for her kids? and for herself re: health issues. It is not an elitist attitude, the show is part of what is wrong with this country, Keep on watching you country bumpkin

frankcar1965

2 Like

Once again the elitist attitude prevails! You are the clueless one. You hate her because she is fat, how nice. And what about YOUR child rearing skills? Bet I could find something I don't like about your methods. The "country bumpkin" comment really shows your elitism. Easy to throw around derogatory terms when it's a white fat southerner, bet if it were a black or latino family you would not open your mouth.

IneffAble

@frankcar1965 Relax, redneck.

frankcar1965

2 Like

Relax yourself. I am actually not a redneck but know quite a few and they aren't all bad. Just like the Thompsons aren't bad- actually they seem to love each other, rare among families nowadays.

kn8

2 Like

Seriously, why the "actually" here?

KendraJames14

Please stop this girl http://bit.ly/SUCeBB She does not need to earn 20,000 an episode that's ridiculous, shes just going to grow up and spend it on drugs and alcohol, We need to stop this trend http://bit.ly/RryBWS

RichardSelby

3 Like

@KendraJames14 How do you know what Honey Boo Boo will spend her money on? You can't predict the future; also, alcohol is legal in the United States and marijuana is legal in Washington and Colorado. Why can't she spend her money (when she's of legal age) on intoxicants which one can purchase legally?