Oprah's Debt Diet IV

[ElizaB39]

Shoot, I missed this epi. I forgot to set the vcr and my DD12 was confirmed yesterday afternoon so we weren't home either. Maybe she will reply it some othe time...

 

[Debbie]

Oh and $200 a week for four people is way too friggin' much if you are $170K in debt! Believe it or not you can eat for $100 a week without eating ramen and pasta every night!

Now, THAT is the discussion that DH and I had! His head popped up, and he jumped on the $200 a week like it was fire! He gets $140 (insurance cheque) every two weeks for our main grocery shop. I carefully look at the ads, plan our meals for the two weeks and then between us we make up the lists. He always falls short, but it can be done! I mentioned the other family that got $100 for 10 days....dear, get what we need, and then stay OUT of the stores!!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Everyone,

Please give a round of applause for Lisa Bradley! She made her family macaroni and cheese for dinner!!





Seriously though, give me a friggin' BREAK! Let's give her a crapload of new, expensive cookingware because she's decided to make the MONUMENTAL change to...actually cook her family dinner!

What scares me is that she seemed to think that eating out every meal was NORMAL! Honeestly, she creeps me out to no end. There's just something about her that gives me the chills...

I am so sick of them congratulating this family. Have they even started paying any of their bills?

Oh and $200 a week for four people is way too friggin' much if you are $170K in debt! Believe it or not you can eat for $100 a week without eating ramen and pasta every night!

I totally agree, I can't believe they gave her all of that new stuff!! It's like she got a reward for telling everyone she's in debt! Why couldn't she have to start out with a cheap $7 toaster, etc. like everyone else when they can't afford Cuisinart stuff?

That's a big grocery budget, but if you think about it, it'll go down in time. If she didn't have spices or condiments, the kind of stuff that most people have around the house then her bill is going to be higher as she builds that up. I move alot and my grocery budget is always about $50 higher for a couple months while I build up my pantry.

I was really glad to see the Egglestons (sp?) on there last night. They seem to be really into it and David Bach gave some really practical advice about how to pay down the cc and that was the first time that I had heard his explanation for paying on the lowest balance first, about the late fees, etc. I just recently read "Automatic Millionaire" and I really liked it, it's a shame that so many talk shows focus soley on his "latte factor" when his book just mentions it in one little part and is more about setting up automatic payments. He has alot of practical advice and instruction for saving for retirement and saving in general.

 

[MrsPete]

I am also a teacher and I understand the pressure to appear as if you are confident and better off than you are. Teachers are respected(most of the time) but the pay we receive is not in line with that respect. Most of us have student loans as big as most medical people or have gone back for a masters because it is the only way to increase our pay. Most also have second jobs as tutors or work in the summer. A teacher pay is often in line with a second income( Hubby makes the bigger wage). You need to show a good image and some get carried away with it. Because of the school connection you are constantly asked to donate to every group that comes along. I often have a donation tab of $$30-50 a week.

I'm a teacher, and I can't relate to any of this.

I don't feel one bit of "pressure" to appear better off than I am -- for example, teachers aren't expected to dress like lawyers. We wear jumpers and turtlenecks, khakis and sweaters. While more money would be nice, if I had a choice, I'd take more respect for the work I do. I've been amazed at how little respect many people have for the people who work with their kids day in, day out. I mean, I've had kids tell me that their dads say they don't have to listen in school, and about 50% of the time parents fail to show up when I ask them to come in and talk about their children's grades. Lack of respect is a huge problem in schools.

Why would teachers be in debt for masters degrees? The state pays for us to earn them.

Rather than "getting carried away" with spending, the majority of teachers I know are downright cheap -- I'm a perfect example. Perhaps it's because we're paid once a month, perhaps it's because we don't get a paycheck in the summer, but most of us know how to stretch a dollar. Frequent lunch conversation topics: Grocery shopping at the salvage store, ebay purchases/sales, etc.

Yes, kids do ask me to buy things for this and that fundraiser, but I know how to say NO if I don't want the product. On the other hand, I DO get caught buying supplies for my classroom frequently; if I want cleaning products, posters for the walls, etc., they come out of my pocket.

 

[PattiPB]

Why would teachers be in debt for masters degrees? The state pays for us to earn them.

In NJ, my school district foot the entire bill for a related Masters. Here in LV, the school district pays NOTHING towards higher education. Some of the online universities give a discount to union members. Some courses are taught for decreased cost, but do not count towards a degree (just salary advancement). Unless you are going for Special Ed, the school district reimburses NOTHING.

In NJ, DH and I were paid 9-month, but here we are paid 12-month. DH is in a year-round school, so he has split time during the year, and does NOT have a "regular" summer off. I am in a 9-month school.

I very much agree that teachers are by nature quite frugal, but am pointing out that different areas manage their school district differently.

I will also mention that our financial advisor, who deals primarily with teachers, once told me most of his new clients are around 50 years old, just realized they were within a decade of retirement, and have saved virtually nothing. That was shocking!

 

[wide awake]

I'm a teacher too, and my state (CA), doesn't pay for me to get a Masters. Teaching is one profession where you can live a frugal lifestyle and people understand why...because of the salary. I never bought one fundraising item when I was in the classroom...just told every student that I couldn't play favorites.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Salaries for teachers must vary widely according to region. I was stunned to learn the other day that the average Detroit public school teacher earns almost $70,000.00 per year! I think that's a pretty impressive salary, although I believe they have to pay that much just to entice teachers to work downtown, unfortunately.

 

[disneysteve]

I will also mention that our financial advisor, who deals primarily with teachers, once told me most of his new clients are around 50 years old, just realized they were within a decade of retirement, and have saved virtually nothing. That was shocking!

Actually, this isn't just true of teachers. It is true of the population in general. The majority of people don't start seriously thinking about retirement until they turn 50 or older. And they often reach that point with little saved for their future.

 

[dvcgirl]

Actually, this isn't just true of teachers. It is true of the population in general. The majority of people don't start seriously thinking about retirement until they turn 50 or older. And they often reach that point with little saved for their future.

You beat me to it Steve . One thing with teachers though...many have a pension, and so with that and SS they shouldn't be too terribly bad off when they retire. But for many, the pension and SS together are still going to present quite a paycut from what they were making while still working. The people without pensions who are not saving....those are the folks who are in for the biggest shock.

 

[PattiPB]

One thing with teachers though...many have a pension, and so with that and SS they shouldn't be too terribly bad off when they retire. But for many, the pension and SS together are still going to present quite a paycut from what they were making while still working. The people without pensions who are not saving....those are the folks who are in for the biggest shock.

Not to turn this into a "teacher" thread, but in my experience there are many misconceptions about teachers as a whole.

In NJ, I earned a pension, and paid into SS. Here in NV, we are in PERS (a public employee retirement system), so my SS benefits when I retire will be significantly cut due to PERS payments. In addition, a teacher who taught their entire career, with no other employment outside the school district, does not earn the quarters necessary to be eligible for any SS upon retirement. Therefore, many people in my school will only receive their PERS, no SS supplement.

I fully agree that as a general statement, teachers are among the fortunate people who still have access to a pension and (in most states) SS.

 

[dvcgirl]

Not to turn this into a "teacher" thread, but in my experience there are many misconceptions about teachers as a whole.

In NJ, I earned a pension, and paid into SS. Here in NV, we are in PERS (a public employee retirement system), so my SS benefits when I retire will be significantly cut due to PERS payments. In addition, a teacher who taught their entire career, with no other employment outside the school district, does not earn the quarters necessary to be eligible for any SS upon retirement. Therefore, many people in my school will only receive their PERS, no SS supplement.

I fully agree that as a general statement, teachers are among the fortunate people who still have access to a pension and (in most states) SS.

I didn't realize that....that teacher's SS benefits are cut in certain states. I know other jobs get no SS benefits at all, like railroad employees. Well, regardless, even with a pension *and* SS, people still need to be saving on their own to make up the difference. Not enough people are doing that. And those who begin are starting late in the game giving up years and years of tax deferred investing. Tough to play catch-up under those circumstances.

 

[decaff38]

You might be surprised then to find that teachers in MN earn an average salary of 38,000. All time off is unpaid with the exception of sick leave.Mn does not pay for any advanced training. All out of pocket or student loans. I just met a teacher who went back to get her masters with the hopes of earning substantially more. Surprise, she justs broke $40,000 after 12 years of experience and a masters. My point in my original post was that the family is much more believeable in their debt rather than the other two couples and I applaud them for being on board together and being upfront with their friends and family.

PS: MN students scored #1 in the Nation on ACT test. (Just bragging) Have 2 girls inpublic HS here!

 

[disneysteve]

We just watched the episode (we recorded it during the nite). Wow! This was the episode we were waiting for. I think this show was excellent. It really showed the nitty gritty of cutting debt. It gave solid, every day examples of where money can be saved and how much can be saved.

The 3rd family is definitely going to be fine. They were in total denial and now they are going forward with eyes wide open and excited about doing so.

The 2nd family has made great progress, much more than I expected after the previous episodes. I think they are finally seeing the error of their ways. The mom seemed sincere about realizing how much money they were wasting unneccesarily. The daughter did, too. I think they are on the right track.

As for the Bradleys, I'm still not sure about them. Lisa is incredibly clueless. I really wonder about how and where she was raised. Her response to shopping in a supermarket made her seem like an alien just arriving on Earth from some distant planet.

I don't have a problem with Oprah giving them dishes and cookware, but I certainly agree that they didn't need top of the line stuff. Our $30 Black and Decker toaster works just fine. A 4 slice Cuisinart toaster is over $200. The worst part is that Lisa, having owned none of that stuff, probably doesn't even appreciate what she's been given.

The Bradleys do seem to have made some progress, though. I just wonder if they will stick with them or revert to their old habits. I think with the proper support for long enough, they can establish new habits and see how much better the new ways are and how great it feels to be debt free.

Next episode is April 7.

 

[dvcgirl]

We just watched the episode (we recorded it during the nite). Wow! This was the episode we were waiting for. I think this show was excellent. It really showed the nitty gritty of cutting debt. It gave solid, every day examples of where money can be saved and how much can be saved.

The 3rd family is definitely going to be fine. They were in total denial and now they are going forward with eyes wide open and excited about doing so.

The 2nd family has made great progress, much more than I expected after the previous episodes. I think they are finally seeing the error of their ways. The mom seemed sincere about realizing how much money they were wasting unneccesarily. The daughter did, too. I think they are on the right track.

As for the Bradleys, I'm still not sure about them. Lisa is incredibly clueless. I really wonder about how and where she was raised. Her response to shopping in a supermarket made her seem like an alien just arriving on Earth from some distant planet.

I don't have a problem with Oprah giving them dishes and cookware, but I certainly agree that they didn't need top of the line stuff. Our $30 Black and Decker toaster works just fine. A 4 slice Cuisinart toaster is over $200. The worst part is that Lisa, having owned none of that stuff, probably doesn't even appreciate what she's been given.

The Bradleys do seem to have made some progress, though. I just wonder if they will stick with them or revert to their old habits. I think with the proper support for long enough, they can establish new habits and see how much better the new ways are and how great it feels to be debt free.

Next episode is April 7.

I agree...the Egglestons will make it, and I bet they'll become big savers. The Widlunds seem to be catching on. The Bradleys....I'm not convinced that they'll pull out of this, not at all. It is so incredible to me that this woman has never used a shopping cart in a grocery store. She seems like a shell of a human being....with nothing inside. And Mr Bradley seems almost the same. It's like they're not real, or they're robots programmed to look like a real family. I mean, driving to four separate fast food restaurants for everyone's different fast food requirements. I would imagine that takes a little more time than actually shopping once and cooking meals.

I don't see them sticking with the plan the way that they'd need to in order to succeed. I think that the moment Oprah and Jean Chatsky pull out of their lives, they'll begin to slip. Maybe only a little at first, and maybe they won't slip all the back to where they started. But the fact is that they'd need a 100% transformation to achieve that and I just don't see the will power there to stick it out.

 

[eliza61]

I wonder if the reason we didn't see the Eggleston's (?) until today was that they seemed to immediatly buy into getting out of debt at all costs. The last couple of shows have focused on the other two families cheating, denying, and trying to avoid painful spending cuts.

The Eggleston's seemed truly commited to correcting mistakes and starting over.

I still wonder if Lisa Bradley is for real. I can't even imagine someone near my age with two children who has no dishes, no kitchen appliances, and never having shopped with a cart. How was she raised? Grocery shopping with mom was a big weekly outing in my childhood. (I led a small town life- no mall)

I can believe it. I'm a New York City gal. My dad was a NYC policeman that worked the night shift in order to stay home during the day with me & my siblings. My mom was an accountant who work during the day. While we had dishes, we didn't have pots. We pretty much ate out every day. We loved it, since there was such a variety of food, I grew up loving everything from soul food to thai to ethiopian food. Not sure how my parents afforded it but I grew up in the early 70's so I guess every thing was cheaper. When I had my bridal shower my aunts and female cousins all thought it was a hoot that my husbands family gave me pots and dishes. They couldn't imagine what the heck I was going to do with them.

 

[drakethib]

Rewarding these people who are in debt with high end appliances is doing anyone any good IMHO.

I have a question. This $170,000 that they are in debt, dows this include mortgage or just credit card debt.

 

[eliza61]

Everyone,






Seriously though, give me a friggin' BREAK! Let's give her a crapload of new, expensive cookingware because she's decided to make the MONUMENTAL change to...actually cook her family dinner!

What scares me is that she seemed to think that eating out every meal was NORMAL! Honeestly, she creeps me out to no end. There's just something about her that gives me the chills...

I am so sick of them congratulating this family. Have they even started paying any of their bills?

Oh and $200 a week for four people is way too friggin' much if you are $170K in debt! Believe it or not you can eat for $100 a week without eating ramen and pasta every night!

Eating out every night is normal for some people. My siblings and I ate out every night. My entire family (30 people min) always had thanksgiving together at a restaurant. I had a great childhood just didn't have a family that cooked.

 

[mjmcca]

I just met a teacher who went back to get her masters with the hopes of earning substantially more. Surprise, she justs broke $40,000 after 12 years of experience and a masters.

My hubby is a teacher and in NYC you are required to have a Masters within 5 years of employment. They do not reimburse but sometimes you can get into a grant program to recoup some of the expenses.

 

[wide awake]

What I don't understand is WHY would you want to drive to four different fast food places ? Once I am home at about 1:30 I don't go anywhere...other than my walk. And why four places ? They couldn't take turns picking ? DS was on a special diet for years, so we didn't have the option of dining out...now we're out of the habit. I find it much easier to boil some pasta, or make fried rice, or eggs...anything but leaving the house. The families in the grocery store were incredible...I remember showing a friend how to shop when I was in college...she didn't have a clue...it all came back to me while I watched this episode. DH watched this w/ me...at the end he asked what our CC interest was...like maybe I haven't been up on things. I told him zero, and then he relaxed...he is leaving Thursday for two months in Mississippi, then 12 months in Afghanistan, and he'd told the lady at family support that no, we didn't need to be prepared to sign up for AF Aid while he was gone...then he saw the show and was stressed that our financial picture might be a mess that he'd never bothered to learn about. Our picture is fine, but I'm wondering how many families might be in turmoil this weekend when SOs start questioning ?

 

[OhMari]

When Oprah came on friday, I was with about 10 other women, we were suppose to be at a step-class, but our teacher got hurt in a car accident, and was still to sore to teach. So we all went down to the eliptic, treadmills, etc. We turned on Oprah and the opening segment was counting all the clothes the dd had. The mom said her dd was to lazy to do her wash and she went out and bought more clothes. Over 1/2 the moms said there dd's are the same way.

I was really floored. I do pay for my dd-15 clothes, but she don't have 72 t-shirts, 14-pair of $60 blue jeans. I would never buy my dd more clothes, because of laziness of not washing them.

Some of the moms in our group, said there dd's spend all their work money on clothes.


My dd-will be lifeguarding this summer-she will be buying most of her clothes and she will not be spending $60 for jeans-knowing you can find the same pair on the sales rack 2 months later after they hit the stores.