"Downsized": anyone watch this show???

[Mary•Poppins]

I have another job interview next Wednesday, so wish me luck.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you! (... and adding a little pixie dust!)

 

[Molliday]

I just watched it. I almost feel like I watched a different show, because I had an almost completely different perception. I got out of it, desperation, and humiliation. When he refused the money from his in-laws, I saw humiliation and integrity. He didn't take the easy way out, and he could have.

I don't see how the kids can work, with no transportation. I had to drive my 16 year old back and forth to work for a year, working full-time myself, and it was HARD. I can't imagine that with multiple teens.

As far as the earrings go, I paid attention to her other clothing, and none of it looked high-class; none of their cars looked like late model autos either. I'm thinking those earrings might be knock-offs, and who knows where her wedding ring came from... it could be a family heirloom. None of us really know.

The one thing that really bothered me, was the father's reaction when his step-son sold his baseball glove. That would have brought me to tears, with gratitude and pride, and he showed none of that. He shows skepticism, and I thought that was crass.

 

[mrodgers]

I set it on a the dvr and just watched it. My impression is that they are not unlike alot of people. They had a great income.

Funny how I'm sitting pretty much right at the median income for a family and it's not a lot of money and not great income (it's also combined 2 incomes for us.) That means 50% are worst off than us and I'd bet quite a few are just better than us and not living the high life, so they in the show certainly doesn't strike me as "not unlike a lot of people."

Boohoo, you have to "downsize" and live off of what she makes as a school teacher? Welcome to reality, not downsizing.

All these shows showing the rich as if that is normal is really getting on my nerves.

 

[tina95]

What bothers me the most about it is that people see these things and let them effect their perceptions of what "poor" looks like.

We do not know what truly poor people look like in this country.

 

[graygables]

We do not know what truly poor people look like in this country.

AMEN!!! One of the reasons I moved away from my hubby is he was telling our DDs that we were "poor" and "poor people don't..." or "poor people can't..." and it was really starting to take a toll. We were nowhere near "poor". Frugal, yes, tight-budgeted, absolutely (my hubby is also a contractor who was impacted by the recession, but rather than sit around and listen to him mope about it, I actually DID something, moved and got a job).

I've seen "poor" and we aren't it. Nor are we underprivileged or underpaid for what we do. I wanted to smack the husband upside the head because sometimes you DO have to suck it up and accept help, even when it comes with strings attached if it means keeping a roof over your kids' heads. AND...sitting around making phone calls is NOT "working". He (like my own) needs to get over it and get a job. "B-b-b-b-ut I'm a CONTRACTOR". No, you're UNEMPLOYED, buster. "Contractor" implies that you actually HAVE CONTRACTS. (yes, I'm a bit bitter, particularly when my husband tells me what a failure he has been, but fails to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT). Maybe that's what struck the chord with me. Seeing my husband's twin on TV.

 

[tavettava]

Dumpster diving here is illegal and so is going and getting stuff out of someone's garbage.

 

[Brancaneve]

What channel is this show on and date/time? Sounds intriguing/

 

[eliza61]

My sympathy waned rapidly when I heard they used to go through $15K-$18K per MONTH on golf, dining out, etc. It waned even further when they said they had nothing to sell as the kids were playing on a ping-pong table. Even further when the kids went dumpster diving and sold their own belongings to make rent while mom & dad were in late-model vehicles and still had jewelry (not to mention the big house they were living in post-bankruptcy). It sank to non-existent when the 16yo was expected to buy $23 in groceries with a $2 food stamp card rather than one of the adults conduct that humiliating transaction. She came home with a packet of GRAVY???

They need a whack upside the head with a frugal stick.

No they don't, they are getting a nice little fee for this "Acting" job. Do you actually think any "reality" TV is the unvarnished truth?

Gimme a break. "Reality" shows are produced for "shock' value. Would you have watched the thing if they were in a small house, cutting coupons and living a very ho-hum ordinary life.

Would anyone care about Lindsey Lohan if she wasn't a train wreck?

Do yourself a favor, visit your local food bank or homeless shelter, at least get a real picture to extend your sympathies to

 

[hibricc]

The one thing that really bothered me, was the father's reaction when his step-son sold his baseball glove. That would have brought me to tears, with gratitude and pride, and he showed none of that. He shows skepticism, and I thought that was crass.

I saw the father's reaction differently. I saw a proud man who is used to providing for his family suddenly being shown that his son is a better provider than he is - and doing it in front of a camera crew on soon-to-be national television. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the producers planted that idea with the son - and I bet the father was thinking the very same thing. I suspect there's an outtake from that meal where the father looks at the off-camera producer and asks "did you put him up to this?"

[There's likely a video crew of up to three present at all times - a shooter, an audio engineer, and a producer.]

 

[MrsPete]

While I didn't see the show, I agree that this is a pretty far-fetched concept of "downsized". It's more like "I didn't plan and thought the gravy train would never end."

I do understand that people like this get into a no-win situation: Sure, they've got the big house, but selling it means taking a big loss. If I had to PAY SOMEONE to take my house off my hands, I'd drag my feet on doing it too. Ditto for selling jewelry, cars, etc. Doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do, but I do think I'd try to hang on for a while, thinking, "I'll get a job soon, and if I wait a while I won't have taken a big loss on ____". I also suspect that the cars might've been leased instead of owned, which'd mean they couldn't get out of the contract for X more months. Ditto for the teens' cell phones. Yeah, it's not the way this family should be spending their money, but if they're halfway through a contract, they're committed to continuing.

I think the real message here is, don't get into this situation. Don't extend yourself so far financially that you'd be sunk if your circumstances changed.



I've watched another show that is much better: Much more middle-class. I think it takes place in Canada. I can't think of the name, but it's about couples whose budgets are out of control. A person comes in and helps them go through their finances, gives them small goals to meet over a couple months, and then IF they improve, they get some money to pay off their debts. Along the way they get "challenges", which are always different depending upon their specific problems. For example, if they're overspending on meals out, they might get cooking lessons, and their challenge might be to plan meals and cook at home. If they're stockpilers who have too much stuff, their assignment might be to hold a yardsale and put the money towards their debt. If they're not working together well financially, their task might be to take over one another's part of the budgeting process.

Often these people have just never figured up what they're making vs. what they're spending. For example, one show was about a two-income family who had a baby, mom gave up her job, but she didn't quit spending as if she still had a job. Another was about a mom who had a compulsive shopping habit, and she was hiding her purchases; that one was complicated by the fact that she earned way more than her husband, so they both felt that she was entitled to spend, spend, spend. Another couple had free housing because the husband's job was caring for a disabled teen, but his job was 24 hours a day, and they were blowing all their money going out on his rare weekends off. They find people in interesting situations. Often these couples are considering separation/divorce because of their financial troubles.

Oh, I know the name: 'Til Debt Do Us Part -- or something like that.
I recommend it.

 

[hibricc]

While I didn't see the show, I agree that this is a pretty far-fetched concept of "downsized". It's more like "I didn't plan and thought the gravy train would never end."

I do understand that people like this get into a no-win situation: Sure, they've got the big house, but selling it means taking a big loss. If I had to PAY SOMEONE to take my house off my hands, I'd drag my feet on doing it too. Ditto for selling jewelry, cars, etc. Doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do, but I do think I'd try to hang on for a while, thinking, "I'll get a job soon, and if I wait a while I won't have taken a big loss on ____". I also suspect that the cars might've been leased instead of owned, which'd mean they couldn't get out of the contract for X more months. Ditto for the teens' cell phones. Yeah, it's not the way this family should be spending their money, but if they're halfway through a contract, they're committed to continuing.

I think the real message here is, don't get into this situation. Don't extend yourself so far financially that you'd be sunk if your circumstances changed.



I've watched another show that is much better: Much more middle-class. I think it takes place in Canada. I can't think of the name, but it's about couples whose budgets are out of control. A person comes in and helps them go through their finances, gives them small goals to meet over a couple months, and then IF they improve, they get some money to pay off their debts. Along the way they get "challenges", which are always different depending upon their specific problems. For example, if they're overspending on meals out, they might get cooking lessons, and their challenge might be to plan meals and cook at home. If they're stockpilers who have too much stuff, their assignment might be to hold a yardsale and put the money towards their debt. If they're not working together well financially, their task might be to take over one another's part of the budgeting process.

Often these people have just never figured up what they're making vs. what they're spending. For example, one show was about a two-income family who had a baby, mom gave up her job, but she didn't quit spending as if she still had a job. Another was about a mom who had a compulsive shopping habit, and she was hiding her purchases; that one was complicated by the fact that she earned way more than her husband, so they both felt that she was entitled to spend, spend, spend. Another couple had free housing because the husband's job was caring for a disabled teen, but his job was 24 hours a day, and they were blowing all their money going out on his rare weekends off. They find people in interesting situations. Often these couples are considering separation/divorce because of their financial troubles.

Oh, I know the name: 'Til Debt Do Us Part -- or something like that.
I recommend it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Til_Debt_Do_Us_Part.

 

[Marionnette]

No they don't, they are getting a nice little fee for this "Acting" job. Do you actually think any "reality" TV is the unvarnished truth?

Gimme a break. "Reality" shows are produced for "shock' value. Would you have watched the thing if they were in a small house, cutting coupons and living a very ho-hum ordinary life.

Would anyone care about Lindsey Lohan if she wasn't a train wreck?

Do yourself a favor, visit your local food bank or homeless shelter, at least get a real picture to extend your sympathies to

Agreed. Im not interested in the "real housewives of lower swamp grove" but I made it a point to see what those ladies from new jersey were up to.

I just found an interview with the mother from "downsized". It was done after the show finished filming. http://www.momlogic.com/2010/11/interview_with_downsized_mom_laura_bruce.php Filming was done between may and june. They didnt get paid for the show until after the filming was done (although I think that just knowing that there was a paycheck at the end may have influenced how they felt and acted during that time). It looks like there finances are improving in spite of a couple of setbacks. No indications as to whether anyone walloped them with a frugal stick during any point.

 

[Schachteles]

I watched this show with my son and his wife and my daughter and her BF. We were all just amazed at the house they were living in, and the fact that these kids, who are mainly over 16, have no job at McD, or a paper route or something. I really don't think they realize what downsizing really is..buying water resrtictors for your shower is fine, but where did the money come from when they were $300 short for rent? And I was a little offended that the mother basically called her teachinig paycheck tiny and how she felt like she wasn't even getting a paycheck. Maybe she is paying expensive healthcare out of it or something, but I was a teacher and yes, not super good pay, but certainly decent and for a contract of less than 190 days it figures out as a decent wage. My DH and I together make about what the average mid paid teacher gets so really, she should adjust her thinking. How about her working an after school program at her school or something? those kids could certianly help around the house, make dinner, etc. since they don't have jobs. Yes, the son sold his glove..and the parents are sitting around with quite a bit of jewelry and stuff. I do hope this show , as it continues, shows them learn how to really make a change. They seem like nice people stuck in a bad situation..the previews for next week show them talking to a financial guy and looking at a smaller house, so that's good. My daughter's BF comes from a family of 7 kids and most of his growing up time was in a 2 BR single wide trailer, so, as awful as that sounds, they survived and are a tight family (which I guess you would have to be )
(PS..wouldn't what they get paid for the show basically fix their financial emergency??)

I too was VERY taken aback by her snotty comments about her teachers salary.

The show was eye opening for me, I just watched it last night at like midnight and I had a tough time falling asleep after it.

I understand how people question them living in a nice home, but with that said it is RENTED and we don't know for how much. And if you watched the clips for the coming weeks episode, they are going to look for a smaller house. Of course they are like almost any parent who wants to maintain the home so the kids have something they can count on.

I will continue to watch....I am interested to hear what her "secret" next week is?!?!

 

[mom2val]

Agreed. Im not interested in the "real housewives of lower swamp grove" but I made it a point to see what those ladies from new jersey were up to.

I just found an interview with the mother from "downsized". It was done after the show finished filming. http://www.momlogic.com/2010/11/interview_with_downsized_mom_laura_bruce.php

I just read the article mentioned above .... " Health insurance for my family is $800 a month and my paycheck is a little less than that every two weeks."

Read more: http://www.momlogic.com/2010/11/interview_with_downsized_mom_laura_bruce.php#ixzz14iRE62Ed



I admit being clueless about teachers salaries across the county and know that they range wildly from one region to another... but I was shocked that someone with a masters degree would be paid so low. I know dh brings home 70% of his salary after taxes, insurance, 401K, SS..... so based on that figure she is making @$28,000 a year ( $1600 a month) --- @ $19,000 take home.

Here is from our district in North Texas just as a point of reference......

Years
Exp. Bachelors Yearly Masters Yearly Doctorate Yearly
0 $47,500 $48,500 $49,500
1 $47,736 $48,736 $49,736
2 $47,853 $48,853 $49,853

 

[Disneyluvr]

This family is actually from here in AZ where I live. The city they live in is a planned community right on the outskirts of Phoenix and is very costly to live there! Also teaching salaries here are not very high and insurance alone will kill ya. There have also been several pay cuts and/or freezes because of the horrible budget. Most of the money for education comes from tourism and there hasn't been a lot of that since AZ is always in the news for some scandal or another these days, LOL.

 

[wvjules]

OK so let me see if I have this right. This family was seemingly well-off. Things changed and they need to downsize greatly. However since they were a well-off family, the things they give up aren't nearly as important as what a typical middle class family might have to give up? They aren't poor enough for the BB? Everyone at EVERY income level will feel a pinch at a loss of income. The rich aren't exempt.

 

[StephMK]

I had wanted to see this but then realized we don't get that channel because we cut our cable to the minimum package. It does not sound like I would relate to their lifestyle or cutbacks anyway. Yes, I agree the rich can be affected as much as anyone but I don't know that promoting them through a show really benefits "typical" families trying to get support, tips, etc.

I would have watched to see another family in a comraderie, same boat type of way. How are they coping, what changes have they made, etc. Someone spending $18K a month does not represent a "normal" household. It just seems like if a TV show wanted to do a true reality show, they could have picked a family that was easier for more to relate to. I don't like reality shows because they are getting so far from reality now it's silly to call them that.

Anyone watching Deperate Housewives? Yes, I realize it's not reality but could relate much better to Susan's story line last night.

 

[Ali]

Years
Exp. Bachelors Yearly Masters Yearly Doctorate Yearly
0 $47,500 $48,500 $49,500
1 $47,736 $48,736 $49,736
2 $47,853 $48,853 $49,853

This is over $10,000 a year more than my district in Florida

 

[jennyopenny]

The people have spoken, and they are not happy. Check out the WEtv message boards. There is even a woman claiming to be the former landlord. (YIKES~)

 

[Colleen27]

OK so let me see if I have this right. This family was seemingly well-off. Things changed and they need to downsize greatly. However since they were a well-off family, the things they give up aren't nearly as important as what a typical middle class family might have to give up? They aren't poor enough for the BB? Everyone at EVERY income level will feel a pinch at a loss of income. The rich aren't exempt.

No they aren't, but they are rather less sympathetic when they talk about how they used to spend more than the national median income on golf in a year and now want to cry poverty because it never crossed their pretty little minds to stash something aside to live off of in an emergency. And its even worse to watch this family "economize" - like using the Coinstar machine with its 10% fee when they're trying to come up with the money for rent, passing the food stamp card around so she "never knows" how much is on it, spending $$ on the water limiters rather than just telling the kids to knock it off with the 45 minute showers, and OMG why is a family in financial trouble allowing their teenage daughter to get a license (and therefore jack up the whole family's insurance rates).

It really is a train wreck of a show. I caught the first episode this afternoon, and it just left me shaking my head at how stupid, shallow, and selfish people can be even in times of crisis.