TV Crew Looking For People to Talk about Personal Finance

[jeffrey]

This is a message I recieved in my email this morning. NewsProNet has asked for help from members here in the past to do stories on personal finance. If you fit wha they are looking for and don't mind talking about it on camera, feel free to contact them -- Jeffrey

My name is Pam Wheaton Shorr, and I am a TV producer with NewsProNet, a consumer report feed for local TV stations across the country. We are currently working on two new segments about personal finance and are looking for two consumers who are comfortable talking about their own experiences on camera.

The first story is about consumers cashing out part or all of their 401K accounts in tough economic times, to pay bills they're struggling with, etc. The second piece is about consumers who find they are paying other bills before credit card payments, harming their credit reports. I am looking for consumers who may be in these situations or may have done this in the past and can reflect on the experience, and who are interested in telling their stories on camera.

If you are interested, you may contact me at pwshorr@comcast.net. Thank you for your help.

Pam

[disneysteve]

Maybe what they should be doing is a story on people who aren't having to cash out their 401ks and aren't having to pick and choose which bills they pay so they can discuss what those folks are doing differently that helps them ride out tough economic times. I guess that wouldn't garner the same ratings.

[PrincessPerky]

Maybe what they should be doing is a story on people who aren't having to cash out their 401ks and aren't having to pick and choose which bills they pay so they can discuss what those folks are doing differently that helps them ride out tough economic times. I guess that wouldn't garner the same ratings.

Ditto!

[glock35ipsc]

Exactly! You should email that to them Steve!

[Ima saver]

I agree Steve.

[disneysteve]

Done. Here's the message I sent:

Dear Ms. Shorr,

Your request for consumers to interview was posted to SavingAdvice.com. I've reprinted the message that was posted here:

My name is Pam Wheaton Shorr, and I am a TV producer with NewsProNet, a consumer report feed for local TV stations across the country. We are currently working on two new segments about personal finance and are looking for two consumers who are comfortable talking about their own experiences on camera.

The first story is about consumers cashing out part or all of their 401K accounts in tough economic times, to pay bills they're struggling with, etc. The second piece is about consumers who find they are paying other bills before credit card payments, harming their credit reports. I am looking for consumers who may be in these situations or may have done this in the past and can reflect on the experience, and who are interested in telling their stories on camera.

If you are interested, you may contact me at pwshorr@comcast.net. Thank you for your help.

Pam

My immediate response to that request was that maybe what you should be doing is a story on people who aren't having to cash out their 401ks and aren't having to pick and choose which bills they pay so you can discuss what those folks are doing differently that helps them ride out tough economic times. I guess that wouldn't garner the same ratings. People love tragedy and seeing others fail. I guess it somehow makes them feel better about their own situations. "At least we're not as bad off as those folks."

Certainly, there are many folks who are struggling, but so many of them brought their problems on themselves by living beyond their means, buying homes they couldn't possibly afford, surrounding themselves with gadgets galore and generally spending money they didn't have. Now, their house of cards is collapsing around them. I'd much rather see a story on the news about how some folks choose to live frugally, spending less than they earn, saving for emergencies and the future and enjoying freedom from debt and insulation from economic woes. You may think only the rich fit that description, but if you do you homework, you'll find that plenty of middle class Americans are saving 10% or 15% or 20% or more of their incomes, maxing out their retirement plans, driving paid-for cars, making extra mortgage payments, paying their credit card bills in full each and every month and still enjoying all that life has to offer.

[glock35ipsc]

Excellent email, well said!

[maat55]

At a boy,

[Daylily]

I look forward to the reply you receive - if any.

[disneysteve]

Here is the reply I got from Ms. Shorr and the message I sent back to her in return.

In a message dated 8/7/2008 6:21:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pwshorr@comcast.net writes:
Dear Mr. *****,

Thank you for your comments. We actually have done a couple of pieces about living frugally (and you’re right, stations are often less interested in running these pieces…) That said, sadly, there are many more people who are struggling with skyrocketing bills today. Here’s my own for instance -- we own our cars outright, have a very low mortgage, bag our lunches, have a vegetable garden and fruit trees, keep the heat turned low, etc…But here in the northeast, my state and local taxes have jacked up my monthly mortgage bill by 50%, and the cost of heating oil has tripled in just one year. I have not exactly been painting the town red, but I can tell you that my salary increase is not keeping up with what’s happening with my daily living expenses.

I am lucky – I work two jobs and have a husband who works two jobs and we are able to reallocate funds. I can’t even imagine how people in my community are getting by on a fixed income. I wish more people were in your situation, but I think there are many who are suffering through very little fault of their own. My hope is that something that I can say in these stories will help them avoid disaster.

I appreciate your feedback, and will mention your story suggestion to my boss.

Respectfully,
Pam Shorr

***********************************

Dear Ms. Shorr,

Thank you very much for your response to my message. I hope you won't mind if I share it with the folks at SavingAdvice.com where your original request was posted. That site is populated with folks covering a wide range of financial situations, from those deep in debt and facing foreclosure or bankruptcy to those who are getting by just barely to those who are doing just fine despite the economy. We all share tips and strategies that work for us to improve our situations. We also often discuss personal finance stories that appear in the media on TV, radio, online and print.

I can't disagree that even those who are responsible spenders are feeling the pinch of higher food prices, gas prices, utility prices and more. Personally, I haven't had a salary increase in several years. It is only through relatively frugal living that we keep the status quo. I guess the main point I would make is that if you always live below your means, when times get a little tough, you have a reserve to draw from. If you always live on the edge, it is much easier to fall over.

When you are looking for folks to interview on personal finance issues, SavingAdvice.com, both the discussion forums and the blogs, is a very good place to go to find stories and people that might meet your story needs.

Sincerely,
Steven *****

[disneysteve]

BTW, she also wrote this:

Sure, if you’d like to post it you may. And if you have any ideas on someone who has a good story about their own experiences (especially someone who has gone through this but came out the other end and is making better decisions now), that would be great.


If any of you can think of someone here with a good story, maybe she'd be interested.

[jIM_Ohio]

I sent them an e-mail too. I will see what the response is.