Downsized

Meet the Bruce-Rumsey family, Laura, Todd and both of their children from previous marriages. Todd and Laura met four years ago. Laura is a teacher and Todd was a successful contractor. In their first years together they used money to ease the transition of blending their two families. But when the economy tanked --taking Todd's business with it - the family had to sell their house and downsize their spending habits. Todd Bruce was a successful contractor who is now scraping by on day jobs. When he realizes the family is $300.00 short on rent, he goes to his sometime-boss for an advance on work he'd done earlier in the month. His boss praises him as a worker but is unable to come up with the cash. In the meantime, Laura calls her step mother and asks to borrow the money. Her step mother readily agrees but it's clear the request makes Laura feel guilty. Things take a turn for the worse when Laura tells Todd what she has done. Todd insists there are always "strings attached" to such loans and tells Laura that they got themselves into the mess and they will pull themselves out. Todd has another idea: the family's vacation jar. He empties it onto the table and coin after glimmering coin pours out. Todd and his step daughter, Bailey, head for the grocery store's coin machine. Meanwhile, triplets Whitney, Rex and Dylan, all 14, take it upon themselves to lend the family a helping hand and head out to the town's dumpsters in search of bottles. In all they make just under $20.00 but have a good time doing it. In the end, the family comes up with the $200.00 of the $300.00 dollars needed for rent until - in a surprise move—Dylan sells his much loved baseball glove to a friend down the street. Todd and Laura are deeply touched and deeply proud of their children. On a lighter note, teenage boys Levi, Dylan and Rex play a practical joke on their sister, Whitney, that leaves her soaking wet.

After barely making their rent payment, Todd and Laura decide it may be easier to save money by moving to a less expensive rental house, potentially in a new town. The kids aren't thrilled with the announcement, but Bailey takes the news hardest, as she does not want to leave her boyfriend behind. The family looks at a few houses in the area, but cannot find suitably cheap accommodations for a family of nine. As the pressure to cut costs rises, Todd and Laura meet with a financial advisor to go over just where they went wrong and figure out what they can do to get back on track.

Following an eye-opening meeting with a financial planner, the Bruce family begins to make some serious lifestyle changes. With school almost out, the boys are looking forward to summer baseball and Danielle can't wait to start cheerleading and theater camp. Once Laura adds up how much these activities cost, however, she realizes something's got to give, but can't bring herself to force her children to sacrifice the activities they love. At the same time, Laura has to face letting go of one of her own favorite things - a vice she's long tried to keep secret from her family. Bailey is devastated to learn that her boyfriend can't go to prom, but changes her tune when it turns out he can, leaving Laura to find out why. Meanwhile, Todd creates a debt board to chart the family's progress, and calls a meeting to clarify the changes - and sacrifices - everyone will have to make as they strive to improve their financial situation.

Laura cuts the cable TV and howls of protest ensue. Meanwhile, Heather comes up with an idea to increase Todd's visibility by using the Internet. The idea of going viral makes Todd a little skeptical at first, but when all the kids get into the act of producing the video, he goes with the flow. But will "creative differences" turn this video dream into a Hollywood nightmare for Heather? Laura concentrates on a new money making venture - a family housecleaning business! But when the kids get wind of this, they aren't exactly supportive. Meanwhile, Todd, Rex and Levi are working on a patio project for a client… but where's Dylan? Not shy about expressing his disdain for physical labor: "working for Todd sucks!", Dylan could be down with the "work crew flu" but no one really knows. Todd has to abandon the work and search for him.

After having balance issues on a hike with Todd, Laura is scared that her Multiple Sclerosis may be progressing - a change that would be devastating both to her and to her family. As she worries about her upcoming MRI, Todd finds a half-off coupon to their favorite restaurant and begins planning the perfect date night to take her mind off of things. Rex is teased by his siblings when they find out he has a crush on Whitney's friend, Shania, and his sisters all give him advice on how to ask her out. Dylan asks Rex if they can double date, but Rex says he doesn't think Dylan can find a girl in time. On the financial front, Todd tells the family they've been doing better with spending and Whitney saves them further money by cutting everyone's hair.

As Todd struggles to find work, Laura tries to make money by starting a family fitness camp. However, when telling the kids about her "boot camp," no one takes her seriously. To make matters worse, Todd and Laura find out that they are blowing their monthly spending budget on dining out. Laura decides to combat the issue by having the kids compete in a budget friendly cooking challenge. Meanwhile, Laura still can't get any respect for her boot camp idea, as the kids partake in a chaotic, and apathetic, practice that leaves Laura tensely worrying that the fitness camp she's hosting will be a huge embarrassment.