As for the bodyguard (and it appears there are two now, since I keep seeing the other man), if I read the internet with so many people filled with hate (because they are successful..is that why? I just can't imagine hating someone so much), I sure would have a bodyguard or two. I think it's a good use of her money.
Should they not spend what they have earned on a really nice home, with lots of land and a pool for the kids? I would. Boy, if she spends the money on something the kids can enjoy, it's bad, if we don't see proof that she is spending money on something the kids can enjoy it's bad. She can't win no matter what she does, so what difference does it make what she does with her and her familiy's money? If I had it, I'd love to have that house, which I'm sure gives more privacy than most other houses.
First, I seriously doubt they pay for the bodyguard. I could be wrong, but I would guess TLC foots that bill, same as MTV does for Lauren Conrad when she needs one. My opinion of Kate is that she is a good business woman, and I would bet any cost incurred as a result of the show or books would be paid for by TLC or her publishing company (in this case security during publicity tours, things like their utility bills due to film lights, clothing for speaking engagements, etc).
Second, I have no issue with how they spend their money. It's the fact that they choose to spend their money on things like a well over 1 million dollar home with acreage and outbuildings, and then Kate says she "has" to go and tour, etc to provide for her kids.
No. I am sorry but she doesn't have to have a home that large. Again if that is her choice, fine, but own that. She makes it sound like she was forced into all these touring and speaking deals to provide for her families basic needs. Even on the very low estimates of $25,000 per episode they would have earned 1 million last year from the show alone. Surely they could provide for their family with $100,000 per person. And by most estimates they earned 3 times that. And that's assuming they are paid as a family... which TLC has been very ambiguous about. It is quite possible they are being paid individually meaning it could be as much as $25,000 - $75,000 per episode for her and an additional $25,000 - $75,000 for Jon per epsiode (x40 episodes a season), with separate money paid to and set aside for the kids. Add in book deals, residuals, dvd dales, and the fact that they don't pay for the kids clothes, many of the supplies, their family vehicle, etc, etc and many other bills families usually would be responsible for, and I think they could do just fine without Kate touring for many days of the month.
If Kate was honest and said that she was making this choice because wanted to provide herself and her family a certain lifestyle and was working to afford that, I would have more respect for her. But she's not saying that, she's acting as if she has no choice in this.
IMHO she is putting her desire for this lifestyle over time with her kids, and over fixing her marriage... and then playing the victim by saying she 'has' to do this work and travel to provide for her family. I already gave my opinion about where Jon is in all of this mess.
I don't get the people who defend her saying she is working to pay the bills... well, yes she is. The bills she chose to have. Her home, her lifestyle, this is a choice, not a necessity.