Downsized-- A new reality show

[justmama]

During the lead in to the show, they show things disappearing, one was a cell phone in one of the girls hands. Yet, they have cell phones. I know that seems minimal but really, cancelling the phone rather than continual monthly payments would be better. I realize there would be a termination fee, but like in our case, our termination fee is about $10 LESS than our monthly payment.

Also if they NEEDED the food stamp card to feed a family, why flippantly hand it out to whomever to run to the store. We have a grouchy budget, i would not let my kids, dh run off w/ that money and spend it and know that there was $2 left for the budget.

I don't think it's fair to say if they had only made $45K a year and went through it, it's ok to have FS, but since they made 1.4 mil and went through it they should have known that things could change. I put that on everyone. We all know that at any moment the bottom can fall out.

My problem is they APPEAR to live irresponsibly and ran through their FS w/o even knowing where it went. You can not tell me it's ok, that kids are selling their going through dumpsters, selling their things and the mom can't even send them to the store w/o knowing the FS balance. My opinion wouldn't change if they made $15k last year. You can't live like you don't have a care in the world and run through your FS then b*tch and complain and ask for handouts the rest of the month.

I'm not going to live like we make $15k a month in case something happens next year. We do live responsibly but if you make 1.4 mil, to me spending 15k a month would not be that unreasonable. I think they had LOTS of debt that they could not pay. That's a difference. In the promo for next week the financial guy was like 'you can't fine bankruptcy AGAIN'.

So i don't fault them for eating a $350 meal, i am sure we all spend money that others think is too much. I just think you have to see the ship sinking before it's completely under water. and they never made changes and STILL appear to not have made any changes.

[justmama]

Also wanted to say, i bet the grandparents or mom is paying for the car insurance/gas for the gifted car.

I wonder if they are getting child support from the children's non-custodial parents.

[~~Who,Me?~~]

I haven't seen the show, but this has piqued my interest, I may look for it. Sounds like this show really isn't applicable to most of us. It's like when you see those magazine articles on saving money, and their advice is to stop doing weekly mani/pedi trips and your daily $5 latte at Starbucks. That's ridiculous advice to the frugal types that frequent this board.

I am always interested, and it happens in my own circle of family & friends, in people that just spend money willy-nilly without a care. A $350 dinner better be a special birthday or anniversary in my book! I don't think we spent that much at my gma's 90th, and we took her to the nicest restaurant we could find!

[CW&M Mom]

During the lead in to the show, they show things disappearing, one was a cell phone in one of the girls hands. Yet, they have cell phones. I know that seems minimal but really, canceling the phone rather than continual monthly payments would be better. I realize there would be a termination fee, but like in our case, our termination fee is about $10 LESS than our monthly payment.

Also if they NEEDED the food stamp card to feed a family, why flippantly hand it out to whomever to run to the store. We have a grouchy budget, i would not let my kids, dh run off w/ that money and spend it and know that there was $2 left for the budget.

I don't think it's fair to say if they had only made $45K a year and went through it, it's ok to have FS, but since they made 1.4 mil and went through it they should have known that things could change. I put that on everyone. We all know that at any moment the bottom can fall out.

My problem is they APPEAR to live irresponsibly and ran through their FS w/o even knowing where it went. You can not tell me it's ok, that kids are selling their going through dumpsters, selling their things and the mom can't even send them to the store w/o knowing the FS balance. My opinion wouldn't change if they made $15k last year. You can't live like you don't have a care in the world and run through your FS then b*tch and complain and ask for handouts the rest of the month.

I'm not going to live like we make $15k a month in case something happens next year. We do live responsibly but if you make 1.4 mil, to me spending 15k a month would not be that unreasonable. I think they had LOTS of debt that they could not pay. That's a difference. In the promo for next week the financial guy was like 'you can't fine bankruptcy AGAIN'.

So i don't fault them for eating a $350 meal, i am sure we all spend money that others think is too much. I just think you have to see the ship sinking before it's completely under water. and they never made changes and STILL appear to not have made any changes.

They are breaking FS rules if they hand it out to there children to use...unless they have specified a child as being allowed to use them. you really only get to have one extra person.

When we have been on food stamps...I was the card holder...and my husband could use them...but handing them out to my children, or my other family members would be breaking the rules.

[CW&M Mom]

Also wanted to say, i bet the grandparents or mom is paying for the car insurance/gas for the gifted car.

I wonder if they are getting child support from the children's non-custodial parents.

If the grandparents or mom give them any money for car insurance or gas technically they are supposed to report that to the state as income.

I probably wouldn't consider a small amount of help with gas money that big of a deal...but if someone else is paying the insurance YOU HAVE to report that. They specifically ask if anyone is helping you pay for any bills.

Wouldn't be surprised if they have a case review after the show has been going.

[gctattoo]

During the lead in to the show, they show things disappearing, one was a cell phone in one of the girls hands. Yet, they have cell phones. I know that seems minimal but really, cancelling the phone rather than continual monthly payments would be better. I realize there would be a termination fee, but like in our case, our termination fee is about $10 LESS than our monthly payment.

Also if they NEEDED the food stamp card to feed a family, why flippantly hand it out to whomever to run to the store. We have a grouchy budget, i would not let my kids, dh run off w/ that money and spend it and know that there was $2 left for the budget.

I don't think it's fair to say if they had only made $45K a year and went through it, it's ok to have FS, but since they made 1.4 mil and went through it they should have known that things could change. I put that on everyone. We all know that at any moment the bottom can fall out.

My problem is they APPEAR to live irresponsibly and ran through their FS w/o even knowing where it went. You can not tell me it's ok, that kids are selling their going through dumpsters, selling their things and the mom can't even send them to the store w/o knowing the FS balance. My opinion wouldn't change if they made $15k last year. You can't live like you don't have a care in the world and run through your FS then b*tch and complain and ask for handouts the rest of the month.

I'm not going to live like we make $15k a month in case something happens next year. We do live responsibly but if you make 1.4 mil, to me spending 15k a month would not be that unreasonable. I think they had LOTS of debt that they could not pay. That's a difference. In the promo for next week the financial guy was like 'you can't fine bankruptcy AGAIN'.

So i don't fault them for eating a $350 meal, i am sure we all spend money that others think is too much. I just think you have to see the ship sinking before it's completely under water. and they never made changes and STILL appear to not have made any changes.

I don't agree with you that spending $15,000 a month is not being unreasonable. It was on NOTHING. They didn't even own their own home-- that's why it went into foreclosure. Sorry, but I don't buy them living within their means, no matter how much they made. Going out to eat every night at $350 a pop is normal when you could use that money to pay off the house? Hmmm...if they would've paid off the house, they would still be living in it! And therefore, wouldn't be renting! And not being unable to afford the rent.

The problem is that the rich think they'll never be poor. But usually the poor (and I mean the actual poor-- not people with nice things they go into debt over because they can't afford it) think they'll never be rich. And that's where frugality (hopefully) comes in.

Is there any chance that I would be spending $15,000 a month? Yes, absolutely. It's called winning the lottery and knowing that money is guaranteed. Jobs come and go. Just 'cause someone is making x amount of money now is no guarantee that money will be there in a year, a month, a week. And it's completely irresponsible to blow money with nothing to show for it. And then expect people to feel sorry for them.

[justmama]

I'm not saying i would spend $350 for a meal (i don't think we've come close) or that I would spend $15k a month. For comparison purposes we all spend what others this is irresponsibly.

My house is not paid for, our cars are not paid for, there are people who think that since we have that debt that we should not spend what we do a month. Our 'fun money' is not $15k, but we do not make 1.4 mil either.

I do not think they live w/in their means either, i think they had a lot of debt and not just a house.

Cori n wes mom-according to her 'everyone' used the card. So much so that she sent then to the store the total was $23 and the card only had $2.10 on it. They are completely unaware of what they spend. Seems like to me they worry about paying bills when the bill is due no forethought whatsoever.

[justmama]

I haven't seen the show, but this has piqued my interest, I may look for it. Sounds like this show really isn't applicable to most of us. It's like when you see those magazine articles on saving money, and their advice is to stop doing weekly mani/pedi trips and your daily $5 latte at Starbucks. That's ridiculous advice to the frugal types that frequent this board.

I am always interested, and it happens in my own circle of family & friends, in people that just spend money willy-nilly without a care. A $350 dinner better be a special birthday or anniversary in my book! I don't think we spent that much at my gma's 90th, and we took her to the nicest restaurant we could find!

Exactly!

[justmama]

I'm not saying i would spend $350 for a meal (i don't think we've come close) or that I would spend $15k a month. For comparison purposes we all spend what others think is irresponsibly.

My house is not paid for, our cars are not paid for, there are people who think that since we have that debt that we should not spend what we do a month. Our 'fun money' is not $15k, but we do not make 1.4 mil either.

I do not think they live w/in their means either, i think they had a lot of debt and not just a house.

Cori n wes mom-according to her 'everyone' used the card. So much so that she sent then to the store the total was $23 and the card only had $2.10 on it. They are completely unaware of what they spend. Seems like to me they worry about paying bills when the bill is due no forethought whatsoever.

Changed 'this' to 'think'

[gctattoo]

I don't expect the average person (like I consider the majority of us on here) to have a house that's paid for. That's just generally not feasible until the length of the mortgage. But there's a huge difference between having a mortgage on a normal house that will suffice or a McMansion. They obviously couldn't afford their house. I think the problem is that society has developed different views on necessity vs. luxury. I grew up in a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom prefab house that cost $20,000 in 1971. At one point, we had nine people living there. It was not fun. My sister and I had to sleep on the sofa bed. But yes, we all made it out alive. Some people these days thinks it's the end of the world if their kids have to share a bedroom. Or if the closets aren't walk-ins. Or if there isn't a bathroom for each bedroom.

My beef with them not paying off their house is they could clearly afford to pay extra towards the principle and it wouldn't hurt them. They were able to blow $180,000 a year on food, clothes, vacations, etc. That would buy me three houses, at least. There's no excuse for them not putting that towards something that would benefit them in the future. Even if that just means putting it in the bank for an emergency fund.

I'm a SAHM & DH makes less than $40,000 a year. We live well within our means with our $465 a month mortgage which includes escrow. Our one vehicle (I don't drive) was fully paid for off the lot for approximately $3500, including registration, etc. We don't live like we have tons of money because we don't. If we suddenly got a good amount of money (let's say $100,000), we'd pay off the house. That just makes good sense. But until then, we're only able to pay the mortgage that's due. And I think that's normal for average people.