Did anyone watch Oprah follow-up on debt
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Did anyone watch Oprah follow-up on debt
| Sat, 02-25-2006 - 1:47pm |
I didn't because our NBC airs Olympics at that time and then I'm usually watching more Olympics when it reshows (sorry but my favorite sports shown only 1 every 4 years versus unrealistic families struggling MMMMmmm...) but I did look online at the families and I actually did feel like I could relate.
Oh, don't get me wrong they are on a far different scale than I am but at the same time giving stuff up is hard! Even stuff you don't use....I've been trying to e-bay some stuff and I find myself rationalizing like crazy. DH is even worse (we apparentely will have the need any day now for the box of 45's sitting in the basement taped up from our move 6 years ago).
Did you watch? What did you think?
Taleyna

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Your summarization is exactly what I thought. I too could see that Lisa wasn't/isn't ready to do what needs to be done. I think her husband is more on board and is willing to change. I thought it was interesting what they said about family members and "friends" treating them differently now that they "know" about the debt problem. That's really sad. With the 2nd couple, with 2 DD, I think they will eventually make it. The teenage daughter they keep bailing out is something they need to deal with. I didn't think it was "cheating" when the husband wrote down $27.66 for "Gas" when he bought gas & beer. I think the show was trying to make something more out of that. Whenever DH and I go to the convenience store and buy gas, snacks, lottery tickets, we lump it together too. I might think differently if he had bought $25 worth of beer and $2.50 in gas, but he didn't. I am looking forward to the next show. I was surprised to see that it will be 2 weeks!!!!
Susan
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I noticed that, too. Last week it showed the wife (teacher) crying but they were not in any part of the show this week. Have you checked out Oprah's website to see if any info is there? I haven't been on there since last week. I looked at the messageboard, didn't like to format or the negativity so I haven't been back.
Susan
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I went to the oprah messageboard and couldn't follow it. It isn't as well laid out as Ivillage's. Go Ivillage.
Now, about the show--DH said after the first show that the couple working with Jean Chatzsky had to be hiding something. What they said they had in debt just didn't add up. And, sure enough he was right. I can't imagine having things in collections and NOT knowing about it. How is that possible? And to have bills you haven't opened for THREE years. Give me a break. They are in debt, because they didn't want to do anything about it. And I wouldn't be surprised if their friends and family are in the same boat (they have a lot of debt and don't want to face it) and are mad because they don't want to face it themselves and yet are being forced to by the couple being on the show.
As for couple #2 (the one with the two DDs), how do you go 14 months without paying on your 2nd mortgage and not get foreclosed?
Neither couple gets it yet. I don't know if this show will help them or not. Let's hope it does. They aren't just punishing themselves by living with all that debt, but they are teaching their kids that living that way (especially with all the "things") is normal when it really isn't--or shouldn't be.
JMHO.
Kellie
I didn't think it was "cheating" when the husband wrote down $27.66 for "Gas" when he bought gas & beer
Well, I think the point was that they each had X amount of $$ to spend--their allowance--and when it was gone then it was gone. I'm not sure if they said it or not, but the point may have been his allowance was gone so he fidgeted the numbers a bit. I don't think he should be burned at the stake for it or anything since I know how hard it is. It's a huge lifestyle change for them. Even if most of the debt problems were incurred by her per se, he still got accustomed to living the same exact way. So, it probably was 'cheating' by their experts' standards but yes, it was probably exaggerated a bit.
Edited to add:
And, sure enough he was right. I can't imagine having things in collections and NOT knowing about it. How is that possible?
I'm also wondering how she could get credit after having all that stuff in collections. On the show she'd gotten a piano--then there are the cars. Not only are they in debt but their interest rates must suck. Oh, the Oprah boards are a real PITA to follow. Posts go on so quickly that it takes forever to find one you've posted to see what kind of response it got. It's doable--if you have like a few hours ;)
As for that second couple w/ the two girls--I always wonder myself how something can go unpaid for that long and people get away w/ it. I'd forgotten to make the mortgage pymt and on day 16 they were on the phone looking for their money. And we are NOT late on that regularly. I think twice in the past 4 years--once because of car repairs and once because I'm a total dimwit. So, I don't get that either. I also don't know how you could be at the mall shopping (well, emotionally I can see how) without throwing up knowing you are over a year overdue on your equity line--hello? The house? I guess it's possible to really block that out.
Edited 2/26/2006 11:10 am ET by sweetjumps
Edited 2/26/2006 11:11 am ET by sweetjumps
Last week it showed the wife (teacher) crying but they were not in any part of the show this week. Have you checked out O
I think they are working w/ that couple on Fri in two weeks. They did mention that at the end of this past Fri's show--I think.
Dear Sweetjumps,
I have a friend who once commented to me that her father worked for the electric company, and even he was shocked how many times he went to those fancy neighborhoods to switch the power off those homes because the bills weren't being paid.... I'm so glad I can afford my little apartment!
I think that first family with 5 cars has a long way to go....definitely eliminating a few cars will be a jump start for them. The second family with the 2 girls does scare me because they are having a hard time getting started by being committed and taking this serously. I felt bad they have had some immediate setbacks, but we all have things we can't control, but our consistent future behavior really sets the stage for success.
This is so interesting!
Best wishes, Littlesbigs
I think those people will be back in debt again fairly quickly. I don't think the wife (Lisa) really understands what being in/out of debt means.
She must really want to be out of debt, though, or she wouldn't be on the show. It's just that she missed the step where you become willing to do what it takes. It's not easy, and maybe she didn't realize all the things she'd have to give up. I can't imagine how hard it would be to go from being able to spend whatever you want to going to an allowance.
Overall, I think I found the show a bit depressing. I haven't watched TV in 3 months, and I guess I hadn't really thought about how little I make and how little I have. I've gotten used to it, and looking at these families, even though they have problems, it's still hard to see.
I guess I hadn't really thought about how little I make and how little I have. I've gotten used to it, and looking at these families, even though they have problems, it's still hard to see.
Sometimes my dh will make comments about how he doesn't think he's making what others' are making~for his age group, and what he does,etc. Truth is statistically he is underpaid but the job is fairly secure. They really do NEED him there. I'll take security over a higher income but job security and higher pay (a girl can dream). Besides, he does make close to $70G including his bonuses--but in his opinion he sees all these younger couples who have X,Y, and Z and thinks they are making more. Well, maybe some are and maybe some aren't but most of these poeple only own this stuff because they haven't made their mortgage payment in 2 months. KWIM? And of course we all feel this way sometimes where the grass is greener but you just have to remember what's important. At the end of the day all that matters is that you're healthy, have a warm place to sleep, food on the table, and that should be blessing enough for us all--you have what you need. Everything else will work itself out w/ some effort and time. I think the show helped prove my own theory that the grass sometimes looks greener--but it really isn't. It doesn't matter that they make $120G/yr when they can't pay their electric bill.
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