Anyone catch Dr. Phil today?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Anyone catch Dr. Phil today?
15
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 7:13pm

It was about getting a handle on finances. One family refused to shop at Wal-Mart and the hubby wouldn't let his wife shop sale racks. Their children were dressed in Gap, Polo, etc. I was shocked that he didn't really see a problem. He was facing having his utlitites cut off, and had cable cut off while the film crew was in his house, but he had no problem dealing with debt!

The other family remodeled their house last year and when it was recommended they get rid of their big SUV for something more economical, the response was a used clunker wouldn't fit 4 car seats. I had to laugh when Dr. Phil responded with a 1980 Surburban would fit four car seats.

It was really a slap in the face for me, because of a discussion with DH over the weekend about getting a big SUV that could hold 3 car seats. I told DH about the show and he said he knew a 1980 Surburban could fit 4 car seats, because growing up his family always drove used older Surburbans. He one time told me they were great because he and his brothers didn't have problems getting their prom dates with the huge antebellum type dresses in them, like his friends with the small sports cars.

The show today was really a wake-up call and the biggest thing I took away was that nothing about finances is set in stone. You can sell your house and move to something cheaper, you can get cheaper cable, you can get a more economical car, you can send your kids to public school.

Just thought I'd pass it on.

Kellie

BTW DH and decided not to get a new SUV or a used one for that matter. We will keep the cars we have!

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Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 7:28pm
Thanks Kellie!

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 7:58pm
I saw it too, and I could not believe that guy! He obviously didn't get it. He didn't seem to even care what was going on... like when Dr. Phil asked him about the $13,000 motorcycle. Wow... It made me feel better about my situation, because at least I understand what I have to do to reduce my debt, even if I have a hard time doing it. He just didn't have a clue!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 7:59pm

Unfortunately we have nothing more to get rid of, our car is an old 1993 Topaz that has been hit over 3 times (worth nothing), we own nothing! Very sad! Evrtyhing went on rent and living expenses while in school.

Kiki

Running Woman
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 8:51pm

No, but I wish I had! My DH caught the last half hour, and when he dropped DD off at the library (where I was working) he was telling me about it. What was so funny to me was that he was saying, "Oh, my gosh, Lisa! These people just didn't get it! When Dr. Phil told her to trade in the SUV for a $1000 car, she looked at him like he'd lost his mind!" I did not, although, yes I was sorely tempted, say,"Gee,Honey, sounds like someone else I know...."

When we started this journey, DH was of the opinion that his 'stuff' was sacred and not to be sold. I think he's getting that stuff is just that-stuff. We can sell it now, help ourselves out of debt, get our financial future set, and then if we want-go buy that stuff again--with CASH!

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 8:59pm

I saw the show today too! I couldn't believe that first couple. My ex was just like the husband who would spend all this money on name brand crap except my ex was into computers and electronics; he would buy something new and then when they would upgrade something or come out with something better, he would have to have THAT too! He drove me NUTS!

His spending helped me to file bankruptcy almost two years ago. Of course I had my own bad habits back then too, but have since learned from my mistakes. Since our breakup, I have managed to get my finances in order; I have an emergency fund, retirement fund, and very little debt that I pay ON TIME now! If he and I had stayed together we would be in the same boat as that couple. Even though my ex lives out of state, I still get some of his mail sometimes from different collection agencies for past due bills that he still has not paid. What a relief for me to have gotten my own crap together. I doubt, though, that he ever will.

Avatar for nicholasaleksandr
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 9:28pm

I found the show to be depressing. Those couples were clueless, how about putting some real people on the show. My husband and i are struggling. we dont have new cars, my husband is driving a gas guzzler 15 year old car that we paid cash for. My son attends public school. I dont have granite counter topes in fact my counter tops are falling apart. we do shop at wal-mart and target. I am cutting coupons and work a full time job. and am still behind in payments. Why didnt doctor fill tell the women to get jobs, that ouwld be the quickest solution

Mary Anne

Avatar for mymartes
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 11:11pm

Thanks for the info.

My husband and I turned in our leased Mercedes SUV in September. It was a 5 year lease. That won't happen again. Now we don't have a car. I'm trying to save for when we move to the Poconos. We want to get a mini-van. However, we would need two vehicles.

MYM

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 12:46am

You raise an interesting point Mary Anne.

All my best,
Danni

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 2:33pm

Hmmm...I completely missed it but I don't really get to watch much tv after 2:30 (kids get home from school then and I'm never 100% sure what topic will be covered on any given show (if it will be appropriate or not), so we basically stick to the "kids" programming mostly!).


Since I didn't get it, I'm assuming the couple that didn't have the woman work was because they had kids.


We have discussed me going back to work many times in many ways and it all boils down to, it's actually cheaper for me NOT to at the moment.

Avatar for mahopac
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-1997
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 5:59pm

I didn't see the show, but we found that in our family it makes no sense for both of us to work. I work because I make much more than DH ever could. Before he quit his job to stay home with our two kids, we were spending more in daycare ($19,000/year) than he brought home after taxes. The only reason he kept working was that he had healthcare benefits and I didn't. Once I got a job with benefits, he stayed home.

In our area, you cannot get quality daycare for less than $350/week full time *per child*. At that rate, you have to bring home well over $20K a year after taxes for working outside the home to be worthwhile.

Now, he has been working on the weekends for over a year, but that still only adds up to a few hundred dollars a month - which is helpful if you're already living frugally, but wouldn't make much of a dent if you think you're entitled to new SUVs and motorcycles.

Kelly

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