Wednesday's Dr. Phil

[Ima saver]

On Dr. Phil this wednesday, the program will be about money and living paycheck to paycheck. I hope I remember to watch!

[Broken Arrow]

I have no cable, so let me know how it turns out.

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

I have no cable

And how's that working for you? --Dr. Phil

I never watch his show and I won't have time to watch it too (load of homework... -.-") So, tell us how is it.

[PRICEPLUS]

I am curious to know as well.

[greedy4chips]

How did he ever find a guest to talk about this subject? Does anyone really live paycheck to paycheck?

What I mean is, do people really live on this week's pay versus mortgaging all their future paychecks to get what they want today. I don't think I know one person (in real life) who is totally debt free and able to live paycheck to paycheck.

I know this isn't what DR. Phil had in mind, but it is my interpretation of living paycheck to paycheck.

[Kris10Leigh]

Whoa! Greedy, I'm glad you clarified! LOL!

I know people who totally live paycheck to paycheck. The people I know have such poor credit, they have no credit cards.

We live paycheck to paycheck by choice, sort of. In my quest to get out of debt, every spare penny goes to the card, so that leaves me waiting for the next paycheck.

[boefixepa]

greedy, the only thing I ever knew growing up was living paycheck to pay check. My parents never had money in the bank, never had any savings and were ofen 'floating checks' waiting to get that paycheck in the bank. Definately all through college I was living paycheck to paycheck!

Most people I know I consider in this category.

[greedy4chips]

Kris10leigh,

I did try to clarify my question, because I realize almost everyone is living paycheck to paycheck in simple terms. Realistically though most people have car loans, credit card debt, mortgages, school loans, etc and that just doesn't logically seem like living paycheck to paycheck.

My dad only had one debt when I was growing up and that was his mortgage. (No mention of a mom, since she ran out on us with no warning) His plan was to save for big purchases and retirement while spending the rest. Basically at the end of the week there was no money left in his budget to go on without getting another paycheck we were sunk, except for the savings.

Nowadays, we spend a majority of each check before it is earned and hope there is enough left to cover the daily expenditures and monthly bills. I lived that way for 18 years and then got smart. To quote Dave Ramsey, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired! Stop working to pay the bills you have accumulated. Instead work to earn money to spend on future purchases.

What's the difference? Interest paid on loans vs interest earned on savings = alot of extra spending money!

I remember the days of writing a check knowing the money wasn't in the acct, but would be before the check hit my bank. I remember sitting at home when friends were out since I couldn't afford to party until the next payday.

[Gruntina]

I remember my childhood living with just my mom growing up. She lived paycheck to paycheck but only never knew if there was going to be another paycheck and sometimes there were not. We rented and had to move an estimate of every three months for awhile because we were out of a place to live. She had no credit card and never did. She had a hard time finding jobs and we walked over town looking for jobs. I came with her since she could not afford a baby sitter. If we were out of money, that was it. From time to time we had treats and stuff but usually it was from boyfriends of hers at the time or friends that invited us over for holiday dinners. There were time we just ate rice everyday and etc.

Prior to this experience, my mother was a sahm with my dad making good money then one day my dad could not handle her illness and left. Mom has no HS diploma and no credit history.

Good ending: Mom later got help when I finished high school… She has a great life.. Not much money but frugal by experience and in a happy home with a happy husband who loves her very much. She also gets treatment to cope with her illness. The sun shines after the darkness.

[frugalfarmwife]

I watch my best friend and her husband live paycheck to paycheck and it bothers me no end. They do have CC debt and 2 truck loans, they don't have a mortgage (live on her dads farm) so no property taxes, free heat from an oil well so really no major bills. The reason she struggles paycheck to paycheck is her hubby blowing money on junk, he feels he's worked hard so deserves anything he wants, regardless of the CC bills, truck payments and electric/gas/insurance, it's sad and frustrating to watch but I know there's nothing I can do for them.

We are tight but have back up in case of emergency, yes our paychecks do go to mortgage/utilities/taxes etc, but we're also "safe" in case of emergency.

kj

[Broken Arrow]

My mother's father died when she was young. Military training accident. Since then, she grew up watching her mother struggle to put food on the table and make ends meet. Consequently, she grew up very frugal.

My father came from a very strict but well-to-do family. His problems didn't involve money, but he did have to live to the family's expectations so to speak. Fortunately, he turned out well enough and has a very strong work ethic.

No individual, couple, and families are perfect, but what I am trying to do is to take their best qualities (my mother's frugality and my father's work ethic) and instill it into my own living. I know it's off tangent, but I have great respect for my parents.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

And how's that working for you? --Dr. Phil

Fine.

*drops a couple of roofies into my warm milk and gulps it down*

Just fine.



By the way, what time does the show come on?

[Ima saver]

It is on now, 5 pm.

[boefixepa]

Okay I caught the last half and....I mean really people...I know different people have different challenges and all that, but make a choice to make a change and then DO IT! It sounds simple, but it is so hard for some people to do and VERY hard for me to understand why they don't....

Oh and that lady that was pregnant again...I was glad Dr. Phil got on her for that one!

[geojen]

I was a little disappointed in the show. No real financial advice for any of them except for quit getting pregnant, and get a job. For the life of me I cannot understand the thought process behind the only breadwinner in the family quitting his job to take of his wife, who was sick because they had no money and she was panicking about it!! Talk about adding to the problem!!!

[poundwise]

It all seemed very self-serving to me. I typically like Dr. Phil, however, I was unimpressed.

And here's a good question. The people living in the RV were talking about running out of gas, etc. Are you trying to tell us that Dad can't even work a PT job at a fast-food place for gas money? Get real.

Also, the guy who wasn't paying child support made some good points. He was still in the wrong and was using his logic, in part, to avoid his duty. However, child support should go to the child(ren); it's not alimony.

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by Gruntina

I remember my childhood living with just my mom growing up. She lived paycheck to paycheck but only never knew if there was going to be another paycheck and sometimes there were not.

Gruntina, I think more of us share this pain than can admit it. I remember being about 4 with my mom in a store and saying something to the effect of "I wish everything were free". Her statement was "We couldn't afford it even if it was free"...

[lrjohnson]

Originally Posted by greedy4chips

What I mean is, do people really live on this week's pay versus mortgaging all their future paychecks to get what they want today. I don't think I know one person (in real life) who is totally debt free and able to live paycheck to paycheck.

I have no debt and I'm a pretty regular gal. Thirty five years old, full time real job. No credit card debt, no school loans, no mortgage, car payments, etc. I even pay my car insurance 6 months in full at a time, not in installments. In financial terms I am absolutely debt free.

Now some of that may not be a good thing; I'd rather have a BA instead of an AA and some school loans; some may argue a mortgage would be a good debt (in CA, who knows).

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by lrjohnson

Now some of that may not be a good thing; I'd rather have a BA instead of an AA and some school loans; some may argue a mortgage would be a good debt (in CA, who knows).

it's like a horrible catch 22, isn't it? thre's debt that's worthwhile, or expected, or what-have-you, but at the same time you frequently have to have credit to get credit for those worthwhile items. a lot of lenders feel a record with no open credit is only slightly less risky than a record with a spotted history.