Oprah's Debt Diet-part 4...

**yankeegal** · 04-07-2006, 05:53 PM

Anyone else see it today? My thoughts-I more impressed than I thought I would be by how the families involved seem to be "getting it." They have made great strides. I thought it was funny that Oprah couldn't get over one of them getting so excited about an extra $800 found in a tax return. I was a little freaked out by the young girl, single parent, who was living $1400 over her means every month and still going on lavish vacations-Yikes!
The best part for me was the woman in New York who was sick and tired of her CC bills and decided not to shop for a year. She totally rocked!!! I wish Oprah gave her more time. It was like the no-spending challenge here-no extra anything-only for a whole year. It was great. She saved $13,000 in one year on a $45,000 income- just by not shopping.

**homesteadmamma** · 04-07-2006, 06:00 PM

I think it is absolutely wonderful to see the great strides these families have made. If they can do it anyone can. Yes, they had help in getting great advice, but so do we here.

It can be done. We are doing it here at the village.

Now a real challenge would be no spending for a full year. I was totally impressed with that couple.

**ewokgirl** · 04-07-2006, 06:19 PM

I just finished watching it. It's been an interesting series. I've been astounded at just how much money these families were wasting. Eating out every single meal, every single day? That's just insane. It's neat watching all the changes the debt diet is making in their lives and marriages.

I, too, was interested in that short segment about the woman who didn't shop for a year. I just checked our two local libraries. Neither has her book.

I like that Oprah seems to have heard people's comments about how people would appreciate the series more if it included people with more realistic salaries, considering most of America doesn't make the salaries those 3 debt diet families make. Apparently next week, they'll follow minimum wage families to see how they live. Should be interesting. I guess she's choosing to show the two extremes: those with almost no income and those with plenty of income (her 3 debt diet families).

**tulipgraham** · 04-07-2006, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by ewokgirl

I, too, was interested in that short segment about the woman who didn't shop for a year. I just checked our two local libraries. Neither has her book.

I lived in NYC for 7 years. I cannot imagine, with all the clothing and book stores one walks past everyday, how she did not shop for one year.

You go girl!

I can't figure out the quote feature LOL

**ironmaiden** · 04-07-2006, 06:28 PM

And this woman didn't eat out, stop at Starbucks, go to the movies, rent movies or pay any money for entertainment for one year!!!

Sounds like her book is very new. Can you request that your library buy a certain book? Also some libraries do exchanges with other libraries to expand their selection without having to buy books. So you need to ask if they can "find" a certain book for you and they probably will. Just no instant gratification that way

**ironmaiden** · 04-07-2006, 06:30 PM

Oh, the book is called "NOT BUYING IT: MY YEAR WITHOUT SHOPPING" by Judith Levine.

**ama** · 04-07-2006, 06:38 PM

thanks for posting the title of the book -- sounds interesting and def worth the read.

I'm hoping they rerun some of these as I've totally not caught any of them. They sound very inspiring.

**ewokgirl** · 04-07-2006, 07:55 PM

Lest anyone misunderstand, I don't intend to do what that woman did! If I had to go without shopping for a year, I'm sure I could; it's not a hobby or pastime of mine. However, I think that's kind of extreme. I'd be interested to read her thoughts on that year, though.