Maxed Out, the tv show.........

**DJ1972** · 08-09-2008, 07:55 PM

Have any of you ever seen this show? I watched it this morning. The host meets with a person/couple in debt and helps them set up a budget and usually helps them see where they are over spending. Today, it was a single mom with 3 kids and $66,000 worth of debt (credit cards, student loan, car, etc) and she made $45,000 a year. The host sent the lady to credit counseling and told her she had two choices, payment plan (offer settlements) or bankruptcy......and she encouraged her to do the bankruptcy, even though the lady didn't want to! I couldn't believe it. It was a good lesson for DD14 I guess, since she had to listen to me rant about how that person had better options than what was offered, and they should have taught her how to budget, shop smart, and be frugal instead of just filing bankruptcy!

**Sara Noel** · 08-09-2008, 08:00 PM

This isn't the same show, but it reminded me to mention this.

Not sure if this was already posted, but Good Morning America will have a program called the Frugal Family Challenge this fall.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5458579

They're looking for families to feature on the show.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-09-2008, 08:04 PM

I've actually watched Maxed Out and that Smart Cookie show too and it's what sort of got me compelled into becoming more frugal. I think that some people really have to take charge of their own future, including being financially sound instead of having someone else do it for them. They may seem like they're learning something, but I guarantee you those same people are back to where they were when the cameras aren't around anymore.

**DJ1972** · 08-09-2008, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Sara Noel

This isn't the same show, but it reminded me to mention this.

Not sure if this was already posted, but Good Morning America will have a program called the Frugal Family Challenge this fall.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5458579

They're looking for families to feature on the show.

That will be interesting. I could never do it as DH is very private and would never let our lives be portrayed on a tv program.

**ladykemma2** · 08-09-2008, 11:48 PM

have you noticed that the people on that show go out to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

they don't know how to cook.

**MTS04** · 08-10-2008, 01:45 AM

Thank goodness I don't have a TV

**Michelle** · 08-10-2008, 06:38 AM

I haven't heard of that one. What network is it on?

Unbelievable about the bankruptcy push. That's really too bad.

**danni** · 08-10-2008, 11:10 AM

I like Til Debt Do Us Part on slice better than Maxed Out or Smart Cookies.

**dancar3** · 08-10-2008, 01:48 PM

What station is "Til Debt Do Us Part" on?

I was channel surfing on Saturday just for a bit and I came across Maxed Out and saw this same episode w/ the single mom......I turned it on about 10 minutes into it. I was also a little put off that this financial counselor pretty much suggested to file for bankruptcy too. I really felt like with her income, she could've come thru this just fine but that yes it was harder than just "wiping your slate clean" (as the counselor said) w/ bankruptcy. I think this episode will encourage so many others to do this too instead of cleaning up their own past mistakes and without changing their spending habits. I'm not saying people shouldn't declare bankruptcy since there are definitely cases out there that warrant it, but not this one on tv.

**DJ1972** · 08-10-2008, 01:55 PM

maxed out is on Style Network, not sure about the others. I also have watched Big Spender with host Larry Winget on A&E, but then I saw him on a new car commercial which I thought was a complete sell out on his part.

**cheapskate 49** · 08-10-2008, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by mythreesons2004

Thank goodness I don't have a TV

LOL
I'm with you there, I do have a T.V. but no cable so I don't get a lot of these shows,sounds like I'm not missing much

**zenmama** · 08-10-2008, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by dancar3

What station is "Til Debt Do Us Part" on?

I was channel surfing on Saturday just for a bit and I came across Maxed Out and saw this same episode w/ the single mom......I turned it on about 10 minutes into it. I was also a little put off that this financial counselor pretty much suggested to file for bankruptcy too. I really felt like with her income, she could've come thru this just fine but that yes it was harder than just "wiping your slate clean" (as the counselor said) w/ bankruptcy. I think this episode will encourage so many others to do this too instead of cleaning up their own past mistakes and without changing their spending habits. I'm not saying people shouldn't declare bankruptcy since there are definitely cases out there that warrant it, but not this one on tv.

You can catch the episodes on the web. I think all of seasons 1 -4 are available to watch. It's on slice.ca Here is a link (i hope it works) http://www.slice.ca/Watch/Default.as...Xqv0ij1RtOxVk_

**yankeegal** · 08-10-2008, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by DJ1972

maxed out is on Style Network, not sure about the others. I also have watched Big Spender with host Larry Winget on A&E, but then I saw him on a new car commercial which I thought was a complete sell out on his part.

Say it isn't so! I love Larry Winget with his bad jewelry and no nonsense style. Maybe he is just selling cars to those who can pay cash?