NWR...rant, 'downsized'

taraz579

so, in this economy (with scott in school, working PT work-study) we're just getting by paycheck to paycheck, with minimal savings, which I know others have it worse, but I'm sort of proud of us, for being so frugal & making everyday sacrifices.  I have been wanting to watch the show 'downsized', since it seems like a REAL reality show, where a large family got in way over their heads (financially) and has to sacrifice to get by. 

I'm not trying to judge, because I'm sure the whole story isn't put out there, but these folks are going on TV with their issues (which I'm sure they're receiving a pretty penny for...)

I finally watched it, and the couple seems genuinely nice and they have 7 kids (from a blended family, 5 & 2) and keep saying how they are struggling.  Three of the kids go dumpster diving to get recyclables for money, and others make sacrifices, such as quitting cheerleading, or selling his favorite baseball glove for rent money, which is awesome of those kids!).  Yet, they pay $500/month to dine out! WTF?!?! I know 9 people out to eat is not cheap, but if you're struggling like you say then you eat in every damn nite!  Is that not common sense?  Letting three 14-year-olds have cell phones?!?!  The kids all play sports & it costs $3/person to watch them every game because you have to buy a soda each game per person.  Can't you just pack a bottled water?  Or buy you're drink in bulk at the store & take it with?!?!  Yes, they had declared bankruptcy, were receiving food stamps, etc, so they do seem to have been doing fairly poorly....

But, to keep say how you're struggling but to still have all those luxuries (eating out once a week, concession stands snacks, etc) to me just isn't being as financially-wise as you are implying.  (this information was only shared on a worksheet the couple completed, prior to meeting with a financial advisor).  

Anyways, that just sort of pissed me off...granted, I'm not a parent, but am I the only one who finds this a little outrageous?

amber2123

No, I think it's crazy.  I might have a burger every two weeks, and that's on payday when I run out of time before work.  That's it for eating out.

[Deleted User]

I think it's unfair and unrealistic to expect people not to enjoy a night out every once in a while. I don't hate them for eating out. I would have to have more specifics. I mean, are they going to top notch places or is it just a weekly trip to the local dive to get out of the house? 

I do kind of judge them if they are making their kids actually go dumpster diving. That just seems like it should never be okay.

ebonyivory10

I always wonder how much of the story are they not telling. I'm sure they get money from the show and the ex wife seems to be fairly well off and gives money to the 2 of his kids.  I felt really sad when that kid came home after selling the baseball glove. 

anna.oskar

According to this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/05/AR2010110503763.html

The teens have cell phones that they pay for themselves.

katiewhompus

Eh, when H and I were both working in management we probably spent close to $500 a month eating out just for the two of us. It was a lot of money but neither one of us had the time or energy to go grocery shopping or cook, so it just was the way it was.

I think everyone spends money on necessities that other consider luxuries. How many ladies complain that they are so broke because they are saving up for a wedding? Well there's an easy solution! It's really affordable to jop it and no more saving money for a luxury.

Same thing with internet/cable/cell phones/nice cars/computers/anything really. I complain about money occasionally but I could cut out a lot if I cancelled my internet/cable package, or traded in my car, or got rid of our cell phone plan and relied on the landline, but I'm not going to do that because I "need" them.

skippylouwho

With the specials many restaurants run around here you can eat out at some restaurants as cheaply as you can cook at home - not every meal, not every night but actually fairly often.  Many, many restaurants around here offer free meals for kids. There is actually a local website that lists which restaurants in our area offer free meals for kids on which nights, which are running really good specials.

General admission to varsity sports events around here is $5 per person.JV games are $3, middle school are $2 - that is per person, per event.