Oprah show on Friday about getting out of debt.

dvcgirl said:
Many of her shows are mega-marketing tools. Yes, I'm sure that most people aren't likely to run out and purchase all of the items from the "Favorite Things" program, but it's just another example of how pervasive the marketing of luxury items to "everyman/everywoman" is in our society. Whether she'd like to admit it or not, Oprah is a participant in that type of marketing.

So how many of the families she had on--listend to her favorite things episode and then purchased what she advised them to purchase and ended up in debt b/c of it.

I'm not understanding why she is being held accountable for this.

Why must this stuff NOT be marketed---it isnt' their fault. They have stuff to sell. It's business.

It's a false cause and effect relationship--Oprah didn't cause the problem and while their may be some following along with cult like behavior and doing EVERY thing she says they HAVE to do or get what everyone has to HAVE--that is an anomaly.


Her comment on mad cow disease and beef had little to do with people's response to beef purchases (hence--I think the suing side lost). Her saying--oh you've got to have this--it is soooo cool. PUH-LEASE!

You guys have gone off about how these people should have known better to not spend money they don't have and now we're saying that Oprah and company must refrain from speaking/showing/suggesting luxury items b/c people will spend money they don't have.

Which is it??? The buyer or the seller/marketer at fault here??



I will say (still haven't seen the show) is that none of these talk shows are NEVER about giving practical information. It isn't the purpose. They are telling stories about the people that are on and what "they" can do to solve the problem.

Now while it may not apply to you to reduce your eating out and hair care budgets by the thousands of dollars--the simple math of cutting those expenses in half (which was posted here as being said) was suggested.

While common sense to some--it is a practical suggested to those that are :scratchin about what they could do to improve their situation.

It is too broad a topic to cover in such a short little show when everyone's place in debt is different as has been posted here on these very board's. Telling someone to not buy a latte--only works if they were buying a latte or a soda in the first place. Telling someone to bring lunches from home--works for those who eat out daily--doesn't work for someone who has been bringing in PB&J everyday. So many nuances in how people get into a situation. Not a textbook solution on how to get out or improve that situation.

and again--it's a talk show and not Money Matters or Dave Ramsey--you want specific information---Oprah isn't the place to look.
 
I think this problem is SOOO much bigger than what people here are mentioning. And, it starts with our government. Our government should set examples for spending and saving. Pres Bush's tax refund after 9/11, and his comment about not saving it, but "go shopping" is ludicrous!!!!

However, it is understandable in an economy whose success is based on the premise that people will buy what they want, rather than what they need. I was appalled to see at the Detroit auto show, that most American car manufacturers are still producing large SUV hybrids, while foreign manufacturers are the only producers of small, energy-efficient hybrids.

In China, the average income is $4 per day. The government spends a great deal of resources to promote "saving". The government (who is the US's biggest lender) actually puts out campaigns to enocourage citizens to save as much as they possibly can. Even on $4 a day....most Chinese save half of their income. The whole idea of "Can I afford a home, a car, etc." comes ONLY if they can do that and still save half their income. Can you IMAGINE what a difference that would make, if every time you turned on the TV there were public service announcements asking Americans to save, not spend?!! Just that one "reminder" alone would encourage people to ask, "Do I really neeed that?".

And yet....if people stopped spending, our economy would crumble. America is like a heroin addict....we just need to spend more and more to keep moving. This addiction is covering the fact that we are basically not competitive in a "needs" market, but rather only in a "luxury" market.

Already, talks are occuring between the leaders of the other countries in the world that the Dollar is not the "currency" to be investing in....we are slowly, but surely losing our status as world leader.....and, for Americans, the changes in lifestyle that result from this shift will be very hard to swallow.
We are trading our "world leader" status for SUVs, gameboys, and 100in. HD Plasma TVs. Keeping up with the Jones's is bankrupting our country.

Our food supply is tainted....it is actually hard to eat healthy in this country. You have to shop as special stores, and pay $$$ to find food that will not make you sick. Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, and high fructose corn syrup are making us the fattest and sickest nation on earth. I was looking for a place to invest for the future, and came across an article stating that putting money in limb prosthetics, kidney research, and eye research is the best place to put your money. Because if things do not change, in 20 years Americans will be losing eyes, limbs and kidneys to diabetes in alarming numbers. There is actually a movement (started by a Yale professor) to allow people to "sell" a kidney on the open market. This idea is gaining support from surprising places. But, the fact that you cannot shop in your corner market and buy healthy food, untainted by pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics is terribly frightening to me. People in other countries do not "diet"....it is an American phenomenon, and only since the 1970's....genetics do not change that quickly....it has GOT to be what we are eating. Try to find a gym in Paris....they are hard to find.....we exercise more, and yet we are fat...something is very weird about that.

Some of the most popular shows on TV involve helping people organize and get rid of their "junk"....we are buying bigger and bigger homes, and then renting storage sheds to keep all the stuff that doesn't fit....we, as a country have issues.

I agree that Oprah's show does seem hypocritical....but, personal responsibility is the key. We are grown-ups....we need to take responsibility for our own health and finances....and we need to ask those we elect as stewards of our country and our "best interests" to do the same.

Sorry for ranting....it's just that we are a "sick" country, and we ALL need to find a way out. We limit our children's desires (okay, well some of us do), but we put no such restrictions on ourselves....it has GOT to start with us.
And, just in case you are wondering....we had over $110,000 in credit card and student loan debt. We now only have our house payment (we are hoping to pay off our house early). Financial freedom is a more powerful drug than anything you could buy at the store....especially if you have to finance it.

:wave:

Beca
 

Very good points Becca!!! And people Oprah is a TV Show it's all about shock and awe and tv ratings and look how long it's gotten all of you talking about it.
 
Lisa loves Pooh said:
I will say (still haven't seen the show) is that none of these talk shows are NEVER about giving practical information. It isn't the purpose. They are telling stories about the people that are on and what "they" can do to solve the problem.

I'm guessing this was directed at my post since I'm the one who mentioned practical information. The way the show was promoted, the teasers all implied that the show would have useful information to help "America" get out of debt. . . not just 3 families. Did I expect ALL the answers? No. But I expected more than "Give up 2 out of 5 cars!" I expected more than Mr. Latte Factor repeating his tag line over and over. Maybe my expectations were a little too high (and keep in mind I did go in with pretty low expectations because it IS a talk show), but again . . the teasers were a little misleading. I think we can all agree that financial security takes a LOT more than the "4 easy steps" they discussed in the final minutes.
 
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Beca said:
People in other countries do not "diet"....it is an American phenomenon, and only since the 1970's....genetics do not change that quickly....it has GOT to be what we are eating. Try to find a gym in Paris....they are hard to find.....we exercise more, and yet we are fat...something is very weird about that.

I spent a few weeks in Italy 2 years in a row (cousin was in the AF stationed outside Rome) and I ended up losing weight living on pasta and bread, those evil carbs! I LOVED being able to go the market and getting FRESH foods. . . and it was all SO much better! It's tough to eat the same way here. In most places it's virtually impossible. These are people that don't eat dinner til 9PM or later. It takes 2 hours to finish a meal because everything comes separately and is spaced out. We throw everything on one plate and have to finish quickly so the restaurant can bring the next family in.
 
I agree with Beca. Even for myself it is hard to change my thinking because of the many years of listening to what our country promotes. I am working very hard at it though. It is interesting that people come over to our country and are happy with our minimum wage.

I work for the Department of Agriculture. I am part time now...out of the home. My husband works full time with USDA. We are both involved with the meat industry. What we feed the kids in school is horrible. I would also would like to hear a reply from the officials that actually thought putting coke machines and snack machines in the schools was a good thing. It is almost funny to hear them saying now, "oh kids are getting over weight because of this....gee!"

I buy whole cuts and grind my meat at home. I have been in the plants and I will not eat preground meat. Other countries do not want our meat. I buy Certified Organic Milk. I will not go there. I try to buy as much Organic (Certified because anyone can put organic on a label) as possible. We just bought land and we will start raising our own animals soon.

No one is going to change unless they really want to change.

I have a book called the Contrary Farmer and he discusses how in the past most families lived on certain amount of land. Even poor people could still raise a small garden and may be some chickens to feed their family. He states that many of the poor now live in apartments, townhouses, etc... So they rely on the Gov't to feed them.

And...I homeschool my kids. I was making their meals everyday for school and teaching them what the school could not and just did not have time too. So why not? There is something wrong with the entire system. It amazes me that they can put a 3"x3" piece of cake on their lunch plate (usually with a slice of greasy pizza and french fries) and wonder what the kids will eat first??? Then by 2pm wonder why little Johnny is bouncing off the walls. Then we might want to suggest drugging him....
 
My kids (now in their 20s) are convinced that processed foods are the key to obesity.

When my kids were young, I was at home full-time, had a vegetable garden and I bought food from local farmers and prepared it all myself (including canning and freezing fruit and vegetables, grinding wheat to make flour, etc.) I wasn't thinking about dieting, and I like to bake, so we often had cookies, cakes, muffins, etc., but they were all made from scratch and with whole grains, real butter, etc. Nobody was fat. Everyone was healthy.

Then my marriage broke up and I needed to work. With little time at home, I began to rely more and more on prepared foods and "convenience" foods. Weight began to be a problem, not just for me but for my younger children, even though we actually had far fewer treats and desserts. The older two, who had a longer period of time eating only "from scratch" foods, never developed the weight issues that the younger two did.

I find that many of the young parents I meet today have no idea how to cook "from scratch." They think it's really hard. It isn't! But it does often take a little more time.

Teresa
 
as far as mortgage goes

there will always be people needing to refi becuase maybe they had poor credit when they bought a house, then they cleaned it up and can now get a lower rate...that seems like helping others...

there will also always be home buyers...those paying 1000 in rent, with good scores...should own a home. I know there reasons why some would not want one, but good idea for the most part
 
Carrie Ellis & MyGoofy 26....I think we are on to something here, that while it might seem "off topic" is really directly related.

The cost of "health care" and the resulting loss in productivity due to the number of people who are "feeling bad" is one of the biggest financial drains on both our tax dollars, and each family's personal finances.

And yet, we are so busy trying to make ends meet, that both spouses need to work, time is limited, and we either buy convenience foods, or fast food. Yes....people in Italy, Paris, Spain and other countries SAVOR their food, go to the market every day, and eat fresh food "that the bugs also enjoy" ;) .

We, in this country are sick in so many ways, and the only way to be healthy and responsible is to "buck the system", and forget about the Jones' entirely!! Besides, chasing after the "latest and greatest" will NEVER make you happy...you will just want more.

I cannot say that I am an advocate of "socialism", but every form of government has its perks and pitfalls. The great thing of capitalism is that fiscally and socially, our lives can be very "fluid" (i.e. you are not "stuck" in the status (here I mean lifestyle) of your parents). The bad part of capitalism is that everyone is "out for themselves", and there is no greater plan...I mean, we cannot even agree to what a democracy is, and should or should not do. Getting ONE plan to better ourselves and place this country and it's respective citizens in a more secure place is nearly impossible.

This country is ultimately not run by the elected officials, but by the lobbyists whose interests represent oil men needing to sell oil, and manufacturers of ketchup who know their product will sell more if the high fructose corn syrup is added. And, to solve the problems associated with that high fructose corn syrup, drug manufacturers can now run ads for their latest diet pill, "swallowable" insulin, or any other myriad of drug to alleviate the problems caused by the overconsumption of genetically altered sugar.

Gosh....I know I may sound like a maniac, but the older I get, the more I learn to "question" what I am being told. The "heroin high" that we are on will not last forever, and the drug dealer is not going to be able to "spot" us freely without, at some point asking us to pay. The newest home loan craze is "negative amortization loans"....how scary is that??!! As if "interest only" loans were not bad enough...now lenders are pushing these??!!! It's insane.

I do think a "crash" is inevitable, and the more in debt we are as a country, the harder it will be for us to get out of that cycle. Those who do not have debt, but actually have a "nest egg" will obviously fare the best. However, we need to look at "getting healthy" as an alll-around lifestyle choice....not, just a financial one.

Okay...I'm done for now....I promise!!! ;)

Beca
 
Beca said:
I do think a "crash" is inevitable, and the more in debt we are as a country, the harder it will be for us to get out of that cycle. Those who do not have debt, but actually have a "nest egg" will obviously fare the best. However, we need to look at "getting healthy" as an alll-around lifestyle choice....not, just a financial one.

Okay...I'm done for now....I promise!!! ;)

Beca

Are you thinking of a modern day version of the 1929 stock market crash???
 
Beca said:
we need to look at "getting healthy" as an all-around lifestyle choice....not, just a financial one.
What a great statement! I completely agree with your posts, Beca. I think you make some excellent points.

The rapidly rising cost of healthcare in this country, which is the cause of many financial problems for Americans, is at least in part due to the horrendous diet that so many follow and the lack of physical activity.

I have several hundred patients whose chronic medical problems are largely self-induced due to poor diet, lack of exercise and the obesity that results. They are now spending thousands per year for medications and other treatments for high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, acid reflux, arthritis, sleep apnea and more. These are all problems that would be minimal or even non-existent had they taken better care of themselves. They now struggle to pay bills that they wouldn't even have if they ate a healthy diet and exercised regularly. So there is definitely a strong tie-in between finances and health.
 
Lisa loves Pooh said:
Are you thinking of a modern day version of the 1929 stock market crash???

To be honest, I am not sure what I am thinking....but, things in the investment world are not making sense, and changes are being seen that no one has seen before. Let me explain:

Until the 1960's, the price of a company's stock had stayed at a pretty steady place when compared to the amount of $$$ it made each year. When our government pulled money out of Social Security, and news started getting out that SS would eventually be bankrupt...people began investing in 401K's...i.e., the stock market. Because there is now so much additional money in the stock market, there are so many people trying to buy the stocks (like people who get into a bidding war for a home, or an auction on ebay), the value of those stocks is now (depending on the stock and the year looked at) between 500-1600% higher than the amount of money it is bringing in....where the two figures used to be "even", they are now staggeringly "not".

Since this is a relatively new phenomenon (only since the mid-80's), no one is sure what it means. But, what happens if economic forces (such as massive layoffs in manufacturing, high credit card debt or some other trend) cause people to suddenly need to pull money out of their 401K's? One couple on the Oprah show had done just that. If the money were to leave the stockmarket too quickly....yes, we would have a crash.

As baby boomers hit 70, they are REQUIRED by law to cash in some of their 401K's each year. That will be a LOT of money being "forced" out of the system. That is only 10yrs from now. No one is sure what effect that will have on the economy, but like everything else associated with the baby boomers...it is sure to be huge.

So much for promising to be done, huh??!!! ;)

:wave:

Beca
 
Beca said:
Our food supply is tainted....it is actually hard to eat healthy in this country. You have to shop as special stores, and pay $$$ to find food that will not make you sick. Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, and high fructose corn syrup are making us the fattest and sickest nation on earth.

OMG, this is SO true! At this moment, my DH is at the "special store" (Wild Oats) buying groceries for the week. He will still have to read labels even at this store, because hf corn syrup sometimes even finds it's way into organic foods :( We are very careful to buy "clean" food, and it is not easy. If we went to the regular grocery store, everything we'd buy would have hf corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, etc. in it. That's nuts! Ingesting those things is beyond dangerous to our health IMHO. We spend a LOT of money on groceries, and a lot of our friends think we're crazy. However, in the long run, I think that we'll end up spending less overall because we won't have to deal with health problems related to obesity, diabetes, and who knows what else.
 
Nice posts Beca...

I was recently reading an article about foreign ownership of US Treasuries...in other words, foreign countries actively buyiing US Debt (in other words...loaning us money). That figure was never higher than 20%. The shift began when Clinton was in office, when times were really good, and we were likely to repay. Now, foreign countries own 52% of U.S Treasury debt. China holds a whole lot themselves. Only Japan holds more. The new fed chairman was recently hit with lots of questions from congressman regarding this very fact. It puts us in a very precarious position with China and other nations who own big chunks of well...us. Of course, he played down our exposure. But it sure makes me nervous.
 
chrissyk said:
OMG, this is SO true! At this moment, my DH is at the "special store" (Wild Oats) buying groceries for the week. He will still have to read labels even at this store, because hf corn syrup sometimes even finds it's way into organic foods :( We are very careful to buy "clean" food, and it is not easy. If we went to the regular grocery store, everything we'd buy would have hf corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, etc. in it. That's nuts! Ingesting those things is beyond dangerous to our health IMHO. We spend a LOT of money on groceries, and a lot of our friends think we're crazy. However, in the long run, I think that we'll end up spending less overall because we won't have to deal with health problems related to obesity, diabetes, and who knows what else.

Couldn't agree more, and that's why I always ask how people are feeding a family of four on $300 a month around here. We spend a minimum of $800 and I can't get below that. We eat mostly organic, no trans fats at all and limit our fructose syrup to an absolute minimum. Trans fats are hidden in so many foods now that it's frightening. And we are just getting fatter and fatter.....man it's frightening what our healthcare costs will be 30 years from now.
 
dvcgirl said:
Nice posts Beca...

I was recently reading an article about foreign ownership of US Treasuries...in other words, foreign countries actively buyiing US Debt (in other words...loaning us money). That figure was never higher than 20%. The shift began when Clinton was in office, when times were really good, and we were likely to repay. Now, foreign countries own 52% of U.S Treasury debt. China holds a whole lot themselves. Only Japan holds more. The new fed chairman was recently hit with lots of questions from congressman regarding this very fact. It puts us in a very precarious position with China and other nations who own big chunks of well...us. Of course, he played down our exposure. But it sure makes me nervous.

Situations like that scare me a lot!! Even if we are "taking care of business at home", the people who are "minding the store" are giving everything away. Bush just asked for how many more million dollars to continue the War in Iraq? I wonder how much of that will ultimately be borrowed from China?

:wave:

Beca
 
Beca, It is so strange how the older I get the more I am questioning the system too. I have family members that think I am nuts. I might be!

I have also tutored kids in math since I was in college in 1990. I am totally amazed how many can not add in their head. So what is going to happen to this next generation who need a calculator, credit card and a new car to live! I do believe that there are many people who are beating the system but I do believe that there is an even bigger majority that are not! My grandparents did not get past 8th grade but had a better grip on life than most of our kids today. My grandmother kept books because my grandfather had a small ranch with cows. He was smart as a whip! They did not have debt but did not live large. It is kind of ironic that of all the people in the world that they are my roll models! They grew their own food, raised their own beef and pork and had money in the bank! :woohoo:
 

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