Oprah's debt diet part 3 on today.

**littlemotherhaywood** · 03-10-2006, 03:13 PM

Honestly, I think what I've seen on the first two episodes are out of this world, but I'll probably watch part three at least for the entertainment value. I still can't get over saving $3500 a year by cutting your hair styling costs in half, lol. I'm lucky if I spend $35 a year on my hair.

**frugalfarmwife** · 03-10-2006, 03:27 PM

Don't know if I could stomach watching it, I've read a bit about it and they just BLOW MY MIND! I really am amazed that anyone could turn such a blind eye to things and get in such a bad situation. I've been in a bad spot before but NOTHING like any of them!

kj

**midwestgal** · 03-10-2006, 03:32 PM

I've been reading about these families online as we don't get this channel without cable. I've also been reading some of the message boards on the Oprah site regarding this "Debt Diet" series. I have to agree with what many of this people are writing. "Why doesn't Oprah do a program about people with REAL money problems? I'm stretched to the bone. I don't have health insurance. I can't work because my child has a serious illness. I haven't bought any new clothes in 8 years. I'm trying to get by on $11,000/year etc." I honestly believe that after this series, these families are going to slip right back into their horrendous spending patterns, especially because the debt counselors have discovered some lying and cheating already!

Call me a cynic if you like, but I have to say "Cry me a river!" If you are still spending $3,500/year on hair, I just can't offer much sympathy.

**littlemotherhaywood** · 03-10-2006, 04:16 PM

Ditto!

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-10-2006, 05:40 PM

Midwestgal - You are right on the money!

I think Oprah should take families who live on a small income trying to raise a family, etc.

I dont work myself, but my DH does, we have a mortgage, a home equity, 3 children that live with us, another 2 we pay child support for and he makes anywhere between $32,000-$35,000 a year GROSS (Net is probably $27000 with $6750 a year taken out of the net that goes to CS.) oh and might I add we have no heath insurance, we make too much money to apply for medicad. PLEASE.....

Take us people who really stuggle and live frugally who try to make it. Gosh I spend like $30 a year to cut my hair!

Cut your hair expenses in half saving $3500! HOLY MOLY! That's $7000 a year! Get real.

**SHOPGIRL** · 03-10-2006, 06:08 PM

All I can think of is the show is trying to focus on showing people how to manage their money, not live frugally. I think that these people represent middle class America. A lot of people who make decent money waste the money they make, then end up in financial problems. Since their so far in debt, the show is showing them how to dig out.

If the show was about living frugally, then I would imagine they would have picked people with a lower income.

**McD** · 03-10-2006, 06:25 PM

I watched that show and it made me vomit a little in my mouth.

**ladydi** · 03-10-2006, 07:37 PM

I agree with Shopgirl. These stories are about middle class people who can't manage their money and live above their means, thus getting themselves buried in debt. It's not about low income people who do everything right and still can't make ends meet. That's an entirely different but very real problem. Maybe she will do a show on that some day.

**JustMegan79** · 03-10-2006, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by MrsMcDowell
I watched that show and it made me vomit a little in my mouth.

LOL!!! I almost fell off my chair.
I say this often, when i am totally disgusted. I agree, I didnt watch today because it is just ridiculous. The opportunities people waste totally blow my mind.

Megan

**Jenna** · 03-11-2006, 01:21 AM

I recorded it, but couldn't watch it all the way through. I have very little empathy for the families on the show.

**Hollyhandi** · 03-11-2006, 07:00 AM

I missed it completely yesterday

**freedeal** · 03-11-2006, 09:28 AM

I am usually pretty quite and don't say anything on any board in the mist of controversy but I have to say a few things here. I apolgize in advance if I offend anyone.

DEBT IS DEBT. So if you get into debt making $20,000 or $200,000 you still have debt. Many times we think if we only made XXX dollars then I wouldn't have these problems. Truth be known if you didn't learn how to manage money you would have the same problems just with zeros on the end.

There are many people on this board who have stated they and their DH make a good salary and still in their siggy you see the debt they want to pay off. There is no difference. I live in a very nice area. On my block are 10 houses - 4 Doctors, 1 Hospital CFO, 2 Retired - one owned a steel mill before he sold out, 2 Business Owners, and us. Many of my neighbors I assume are doing very well, 1 house may very well forclose, 1 who is a doctor is constantly having lights and phone disconnected. Do I feel sorry for them? YES. They have never learn how to manage money. Just because you have money doesn't mean you can handle it.

I believe that the people on Oprah's show are very smart people who have made very dumb choices. I think they are showing a lot of courage to come on national TV and air their situations. Maybe it will help others who are around this country living paycheck to paycheck on 6 figures. These people have paid the price in getting an education, etc. and deserve the money they make. They need some education now on how to handle it.

It truly sadden me to hear all the negative about these people. If you are frugal because you want to be - I am happy we need more people like you in the world. If you are frugal because you have to be and resent having to be frugal or resent other people having what you don't then that should be great motivation for you to do what you need to do to change your situation.

If I came on this board and said -"I need help, we make $200,000 and we are $170,000 in debt not including our house", I believe this great community of FV would be offering all kinds of positive encouragement and you would have no idea what I spent that money on. I believe the difference in the people on Oprah is that we know where they are spending their money and to us it may seem ludacris. But to them it was their way of life. They are working on changing and I'm proud of them.

I think that we all have an area or two in our spending that may seem crazy to others - I spend $750 a year on a YMCA membership, I spend at least $1000 a year on clothes and shoes for my family. I don't feel bad about it - it's in my budget but others may see me no different than the people on Oprah.

I think maybe we expected a show that we could identify and many were dissappointed because it wasn't a Mary Hunt type situation. Maybe with enough e-mails and message board posts over on Oprah she could be convinced to invite some frugal people for a show on living on low incomes.

**McD** · 03-11-2006, 10:03 AM

Part of the negative reaction to the people featured on Oprah is because of their crappy attitude. For example, one of the women didn't mail the check for her husband's child support because she was 'mad at him'. That's pure bs. I think another reason people are viewing them negatively is because they've been shown how to get out of debt. They had professional help going over their budget slashing expenses, and they aren't even attempting to cut back on their spending. One woman still went out and spent 500$ on clothes for her daughter. Of course this is jmho.

**homesteadmamma** · 03-11-2006, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by freedeal
I am usually pretty quite and don't say anything on any board in the mist of controversy but I have to say a few things here. I apolgize in advance if I offend anyone.

DEBT IS DEBT. So if you get into debt making $20,000 or $200,000 you still have debt. Many times we think if we only made XXX dollars then I wouldn't have these problems. Truth be known if you didn't learn how to manage money you would have the same problems just with zeros on the end.

There are many people on this board who have stated they and their DH make a good salary and still in their siggy you see the debt they want to pay off. There is no difference. I live in a very nice area. On my block are 10 houses - 4 Doctors, 1 Hospital CFO, 2 Retired - one owned a steel mill before he sold out, 2 Business Owners, and us. Many of my neighbors I assume are doing very well, 1 house may very well forclose, 1 who is a doctor is constantly having lights and phone disconnected. Do I feel sorry for them? YES. They have never learn how to manage money. Just because you have money doesn't mean you can handle it.

I believe that the people on Oprah's show are very smart people who have made very dumb choices. I think they are showing a lot of courage to come on national TV and air their situations. Maybe it will help others who are around this country living paycheck to paycheck on 6 figures. These people have paid the price in getting an education, etc. and deserve the money they make. They need some education now on how to handle it.

It truly sadden me to hear all the negative about these people. If you are frugal because you want to be - I am happy we need more people like you in the world. If you are frugal because you have to be and resent having to be frugal or resent other people having what you don't then that should be great motivation for you to do what you need to do to change your situation.

If I came on this board and said -"I need help, we make $200,000 and we are $170,000 in debt not including our house", I believe this great community of FV would be offering all kinds of positive encouragement and you would have no idea what I spent that money on. I believe the difference in the people on Oprah is that we know where they are spending their money and to us it may seem ludacris. But to them it was their way of life. They are working on changing and I'm proud of them.

I think that we all have an area or two in our spending that may seem crazy to others - I spend $750 a year on a YMCA membership, I spend at least $1000 a year on clothes and shoes for my family. I don't feel bad about it - it's in my budget but others may see me no different than the people on Oprah.

I think maybe we expected a show that we could identify and many were dissappointed because it wasn't a Mary Hunt type situation. Maybe with enough e-mails and message board posts over on Oprah she could be convinced to invite some frugal people for a show on living on low incomes.

Well said and I agree totally.