Oprah Debt Diet Show, Part II

[dvcgirl]

Okay, who here thinks that the Bradleys will never be out of debt? I just don't see how it's possible to help an adult who acts like a toddler. I don't understand how grown adults do not open bills (it took them 8 hours to get through all of the bills and open them). I mean, what kind of fantasy world is that woman living in? I said it last week....Jean Chatsky had her work cut out for her, but I don't think she'll ultimately be able to help that woman. The arugment over the hair in the salon was pathetic (on Lisa Bradley's part)....just pathetic. How on earth does that woman think she can afford to spend 7K on her hair? And how they haven't been foreclosed on yet, I'll never understand.

I wonder what someone like that thinks....that they can just continue doing what they're doing, and nothing will ever happen to them? Doesn't she understand that eventually (and in the near future apparently), it all would come crashing down?

The other family from today....I think they'll make it. They'll pull themselves out and be all the better for it. It won't be easy, but at least they seem somewhat up to the task....

 

[disneysteve]

We recorded it and probably won't get to see it until tomorrow so I'll withhold comment until then.

 

[Desnik]

I missed the first part of this show so I made sure to catch it today. OMG!!! I can't believe these people!! I would be sick if I had that debt and not opening the bills!! What!!! The 2nd family hadn't paid on their 2nd mortgage in 14 months!!! How on earth does that happen without anything happening to them, like foreclosure, or the bank seizing assets? Please someone explain to me how these people are getting away with not paying their bills!!??? In the past DH and I had money problems and we were late on our mortgage ONCE!! They were calling us 2-3 times daily! How do they keep getting credit cards? How are they able to keep charging when they are late on thosse credit card bills? The first couple was in debt of $120,000? or something like that. They didn't say anything about their mortgage. I would be sick if I had that debt and it didn't include a mortgage.

 

[jonestavern]

Yep, the hrs involved going thru the bills was super mind boggling!
$7,000 per yr on hair, I can't relate to at all. Yes, it will be extremely difficult for them to shovel themselves out of the morass of debt-
As for avoidance & other behaviours, I believe there are so many of us that are just really sad & addicted to spending. I truly believe it is a symptom of something much, much deeper. Would it have made it any better to have opened the bills? she still wouldn't have had the cash to pay. I will say she kept them, which is surprising the bills didn't hit the circular file!
All this frenetic spending is a by-product of our consumer society.
Did anyone read the story of the moron who crashed his million dollar sports car?
I plead guilty to Puritanism, but all I could think of is, there are folks homeless &/or destitute in LA/Mississippi & he can't keep his drunk tush on the road in his flagrantly expensive car??? I must admit I do feel tinges of guilt for our WDW vacations-
I'm gonna hope they do dig out--where there's a will--I can't believe the family has pretty much snubbed them, though. She said it would have gone easier if she'd said they were swingers & not debtors!

Jean

 

[barbeml]

I have my doubts about family #2 as well. Mama Marnie is a liar. She says "YES!!!" to all the changes, then does what she wants. They are fooling themselves. That spoiled brat daughter is a piece of work.

The Bradleys are doomed. That woman needs some counseling.

The only one I respect is Mr. Bradley...he should run for the hills. The rest seem to find it all very funny and to take pride in "scamming" the new systems.

 

[runwad]

Ok help me because I'm confused on something. The second family it didn't say they used credit cards, but debit cards. Debit cards are tied to your checking account and the money is deducted from your balance, at least that is how mine works. How can she have debt this way??? I mean after a number of nsf charges I'm sure the bank wouldn't authorize any more charges right? What am I missing here??

 

[paladin]

have my doubts about family #2 as well. Mama Marnie is a liar. She says "YES!!!" to all the changes, then does what she wants. They are fooling themselves. That spoiled brat daughter is a piece of work.

Yes, I agree - I also have doubts about family 2. I didn't see the first part, but what's up with Victoria, the spoiled brat daughter - does she get everything she wants or what? (I also thought it was interesting that Gracie had money put aside from baby sitting - maybe someone in that family can be saved!)

 

[LoriKay]

I doubt if the Bradley's $120K debt includes their mortgage but I could be wrong. They were saying something about their $300K house so I would bet they have a huge mortgage unless it's in one of those places where prices skyrocketed and they were in before that happened. I wondered when they said a $300K house if it was going to be put up for sale by the way they were talking about the next show in 2 weeks.

 

[dvcgirl]

Ok help me because I'm confused on something. The second family it didn't say they used credit cards, but debit cards. Debit cards are tied to your checking account and the money is deducted from your balance, at least that is how mine works. How can she have debt this way??? I mean after a number of nsf charges I'm sure the bank wouldn't authorize any more charges right? What am I missing here??

Using cash for "wants" and not paying the bills. The second mortgage for Family #2 hadn't been paid for 14 months. How the bank hasn't foreclosed at this point is beyond me.

I agree with the poster above all of this being deeper.....and it ties in with what Oprah said....about people just walking around, not thinking at all about what they are doing. There's no purpose. Just like everything else in one's life, your money has to have a purpose. Every dollar needs to be accounted for, and if not, you can easily end up like the families on the Oprah show, and millions out there just like them.

I just can't even comprehend living my life that way. I don't understand how people just spend money knowing full way that they have no way to pay the bill. What do they think is going to happen....the sky will open up and money will fall out?

 

[dvcgirl]

I doubt if the Bradley's $120K debt includes their mortgage but I could be wrong. They were saying something about their $300K house so I would bet they have a huge mortgage unless it's in one of those places where prices skyrocketed and they were in before that happened. I wondered when they said a $300K house if it was going to be put up for sale by the way they were talking about the next show in 2 weeks.

No way that the debt includes the mortgage....no way. Those people are in such a mess...and I imagine the moment that Jean Chatsky pulls out of their lives that they'll end up back in the same boat. Maybe it will take some time, but clearly, that woman needs a total 110% personality change for her to change the course of her life.

 

[EthansMom]

No, the $120k of the Bradleys' debt doesn't include the mortgage. Their advisor actually found that they were more than $120k in debt -- there were many old debts hidden in the bags and baskets of unopened bills that hadn't shown up on their credit report.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Ok help me because I'm confused on something. The second family it didn't say they used credit cards, but debit cards. Debit cards are tied to your checking account and the money is deducted from your balance, at least that is how mine works. How can she have debt this way??? I mean after a number of nsf charges I'm sure the bank wouldn't authorize any more charges right? What am I missing here??

They are also in debt to a payday advance company that can charge over 300% in interest.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I think both families are deluding themselves. Mr. Bradley needs to borrow a backbone since by now he surely can't afford to buy one due to his self centered wife.

 

[imsayin]

the sky will open up and money will fall out?

or Oprah's wallet.

 

[dvcgirl]

No, the $120k of the Bradleys' debt doesn't include the mortgage. Their advisor actually found that they were more than $120k in debt -- there were many old debts hidden in the bags and baskets of unopened bills that hadn't shown up on their credit report.

It really highlights the point about just how easy it is to obtain credit. I mean, to be in more consumer debt than you earn per year....and still obtaining it with ease.....just amazing. Sad, pathetic and amazing.

 

[buddy&wooz]

or Oprah's wallet.

I wonder if they got involved thinking maybe once they go through it she'll "save" them? I sure hope she isn't planning to!

 

[Mariposa]

Ok help me because I'm confused on something. The second family it didn't say they used credit cards, but debit cards. Debit cards are tied to your checking account and the money is deducted from your balance, at least that is how mine works. How can she have debt this way??? I mean after a number of nsf charges I'm sure the bank wouldn't authorize any more charges right? What am I missing here??

My guess is that they have debt in the form of unpaid bills (like their second mortgage, for instance). They just use every penny of their pay as play money instead of paying anything?

They may have some CC debt as well, though.

 

[lilprincessnbuzz]

It's rediculous how "entitled" they are. It took days for them to agree to get rid of cable and she HAD to buy her daughter a dress for church? She said the daughter only had one dress (yeah right) even if it were true, can't she wear it more than one time, if not can't she wear pants to church? f she really needed to buy a new dress, how about a consignment type store? This lady is too "entitled" to save money, it won't happen. And spending close to $600 per month for hair is INSANE!

Family number two, over $1000 to fix dad's truck and daughter is driving a NEW car? No way will mom sell her daughters clothes, not even one of 350 pairs as dad put it. I'm sure he is exaggerating, but still, why not sell some of their clothes.

I don't think either of these families WANT to get out of debt. If they did I think they would be happy to do whatever advice is given to them. I think Oprah needs to drop these families and offer advice and help to people who actually want it.

 

[Tine731]

What happened to the 3rd family from part 1? They were both teachers and had kids in high school. 3 boys if I remember correctly. The money adviser that was helping them was a man. Did they do an update on this family?

 

[wide awake]

I am very cross. I missed the first one, but planned my day around watching this one. Then I turn on the T.V. and the Olympics was on. I called the station and they informed me that "Oprah" has been on at 3 pm all week, there were lots of ads....I DON'T watch T.V. unless there is something specific I want to see. This week it was "Survivor" and this "Oprah". Not to be unpatriotic but I don't watch them since they switched to every two years.