Author Topic: Til Debt Do Us Part  (Read 15765 times)

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Til Debt Do Us Part
« on: May 01, 2019, 06:37:28 AM »
This is a Canadian TV series that someone mentioned on this board a few years ago.

At the time, I couldn't watch it (no cable + I'm not Canadian). But now it is on YouTube.

So I've watched 3.5 episodes and I'm enjoying it so far. Trying to watch them in order starting with the first season (other than the first one I watched which had a higher view count.) It's nice that she has widely different income situations. I'm going to gradually catalog the basics about each situation here in case it helps anyone decide which one to watch.

First one I watched: dual income with decent money to work with but very spendy . . . she proclaimed them the worst she had seen. They were very pretty people who have likely always gotten away with keeping things pretty on the outside while not really attending to what is behind the facade.

S1E1: one income. Guy trying to start a restaurant/catering business while also working a side hustle, stay-at-home-mom, middle of the road spending, small children. They were adorable and I hope it worked out.

S1E2: one income, money extremely tight, newly wed with new baby. Wife "worked" in the arts and seemed very entitled and honestly I felt sorry for the husband.

S1E3: high income, astronomical spending. She's been oblivious but is now having a wake up call and freaking out. He wants to stay in denial at the beginning, feels he "deserves to have what he wants." Teenagers eat a lot = Gail gave them $1000 per month for food, which honestly makes me feel better about my grocery bill. Lol, are these my neighbors?

S1E4: spouse income imbalance, 3 kids playing expensive sports. $12K per year on youth hockey and soccer, wow! He makes more money than she does & resents his spending being restricted because of it.

S1E5: hoping for first baby. I really like her idea for this one: live on maternity leave level spending for a month (or two) to see if you can do it and put the money saved from that in a fund to buy items for baby.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2019, 11:42:26 AM by Zamboni »

pachnik

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1894
  • Age: 59
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2019, 06:44:22 AM »
I am Canadian and I watched this show years ago.  I really like Gail Vaz-Oxlade.   

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2019, 06:59:54 AM »
Yes, at first I thought she was going to bug me, but now I really like her. In the first one I watched (not S1E1, I should try to figure out which one it was) she was pretty fed up with the couple, I think, and it showed. They had lived with his parents after they got married for a couple of years and gotten used to free-loading, basically, rather than paying their own way.

Parents, push those fledglings out of the nest and do NOT let them come back . . . you won't be doing your kids any favors if you do!

coynemoney

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 35
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2019, 07:46:21 AM »
I really wish they would reboot this show with modern cameras. The techniques are great but it's really hard to watch something in 420p in this day and age.

SunnyDays

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3489
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2019, 10:14:00 AM »
I loved that show in it's first run.  There's also a show called "Life or Debt" (American) that's kind of similar, but the host gets the family to run themselves like a business, always focusing on the bottom line.  It's good too.

dude

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2369
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2019, 10:24:30 AM »
I binged watched a bunch of episodes on Amazon Prime after the first posting on MMM a year or two ago. Loved it!

DadJokes

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2360
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2019, 11:45:04 AM »
I enjoy the show from time to time, but it is very painful to watch other times. It baffles me how some people can live the way they do. I would be so stressed out.

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2019, 12:09:12 PM »
guilty pleasure show for me. Always makes me feel so good about our spending

mousebandit

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 316
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2019, 12:12:02 PM »
I really like this show, and the Life or Debt one, and I even let the kids watch them - they've learned a lot, haha!  The only thing I get frustrated with is that TDDUP treats the majority of expenses as "fixed" and that they can't be changed.  Car payments, electric usage, cable, etc.  I think I've only seen one episode where she makes someone sell a house they can't afford.  I would love to see a more hard-core facepunch version of this done in current years.  Sell the car, take the bus or bike, cut the cable, chop the cell phone, grow a garden, shoot for a 40-50% savings rate, etc.  I also wish she would be more transparent and thorough with her computing of the debt and spending figures - sometimes I don't think they're entirely straight - manipulated for shock value maybe. 

 

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2019, 04:32:51 PM »
People don't react well to the suggestion that they sell their home. In the 4 episodes I've watched, she's suggested selling the home to two of the couples.

In one case they seemed like they were kind of already making peace with the idea as the wife was on the verge of hitting the highway on her own anyway if things didn't change and a couple of their kids were at or near college age.

In the other, both people were like "absolutely not." The husband seemed to think he could make up the $1200 a month shortfall DJ'ing (didn't work out in the short term.)

My son watched it with me. He didn't understand why people are so attached to their houses. I don't get it either, honestly. It's such a get out of jail move for a lot of people to unload the money pit.

SwordGuy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8955
  • Location: Fayetteville, NC
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2019, 07:43:51 AM »

My son watched it with me. He didn't understand why people are so attached to their houses. I don't get it either, honestly. It's such a get out of jail move for a lot of people to unload the money pit.

Because when you've never done anything of worth and you've never grown into a good person you can be proud of, you have to use things to feel successful.

dude

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2369
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2019, 08:35:04 AM »

My son watched it with me. He didn't understand why people are so attached to their houses. I don't get it either, honestly. It's such a get out of jail move for a lot of people to unload the money pit.

Because when you've never done anything of worth and you've never grown into a good person you can be proud of, you have to use things to feel successful.
 

I don't think it's just that. People's homes are repositories of memories, and the attachment can be very emotional, especially when someone's raised children in the home. Or if they've put a lot of sweat equity into the place. Hell, I wanted to buy my parents' house for these very reasons, but good sense prevailed after a while and I didn't do it. But it was really tempting.

Noodle

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1316
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #12 on: May 02, 2019, 09:10:52 AM »
Plus moving (especially if it involves selling a house) is just such a massive project--packing everyone's stuff, finding a new place, doing all the cleaning and repairs to get a house market ready, not to mention that depending on who pays what costs, you can end up fronting quite a bit of money that will take awhile to recover through cheaper housing costs. That is a lot of pain points to overcome, especially since a lot of these relationships are already under a strain! And if you look at cognitive biases, humans are wired to prefer the pain they know over uncertainty. Look how hard we have to argue on the boards just to get people to look for new jobs when their current situations are far from ideal. I can see why people would be resistant.

The one thing I wish from all these life make-over shows is that they would go back in a year or so to see how people are doing. I always wonder who stuck with the changes, and who backslid.

Lincolnshire Girl

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 120
  • Location: UK
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #13 on: May 02, 2019, 09:33:35 AM »

The one thing I wish from all these life make-over shows is that they would go back in a year or so to see how people are doing. I always wonder who stuck with the changes, and who backslid.

This!! Would love to re-visit some of the couples.

It's my guilty pleasure show and I was far too excited when seasons 4,5, 6 & 7 appeared on YouTube. Have also got my daughter watching and gave her a copy of one of Gail's books for Christmas (2nd hand of course!). We both love it. Hubby now has a "bike jar" and is keen to save instead of buying coffee.

OtherJen

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5267
  • Location: Metro Detroit
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2019, 09:58:00 AM »
Plus moving (especially if it involves selling a house) is just such a massive project--packing everyone's stuff, finding a new place, doing all the cleaning and repairs to get a house market ready, not to mention that depending on who pays what costs, you can end up fronting quite a bit of money that will take awhile to recover through cheaper housing costs. That is a lot of pain points to overcome, especially since a lot of these relationships are already under a strain!

This is why I assumed that Gail almost never gave the advice to sell the home. It's a long-game fix and depending on the local housing market, might not resolve itself for a year or more. That doesn't fit into the 1-month timeline of the show. Hopefully, though, the cold hard facts of housing costs did wake up some of the couples. I'd love to see a follow-up.

SoftwareGoddess

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 140
  • Location: Canada
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #15 on: May 02, 2019, 10:19:07 AM »
The one thing I wish from all these life make-over shows is that they would go back in a year or so to see how people are doing. I always wonder who stuck with the changes, and who backslid.

Some of the episodes have updates. They look like they are available here (https://www.slice.ca/til-debt-do-us-part/episode-guide/), just search for "update" in the episode list.

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2019, 11:40:50 AM »
Canadians: what is "hydro"? I assumed it was water, but then one participant was talking about new home expenses and said: hydro, gas, water, and insurance. Did she just misspeak, or is hydro water?

The show Clean House did a follow up visit show after a couple of seasons . . . everyone kept the place fairly neat still, but I didn't totally buy it because they had already given them advance notice that they were coming to film.

cowman

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 17
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2019, 12:19:57 PM »
We started getting our electricity using water to turn turbines.Companies that did this always had "hydro-electric" in there names.So came to referred to as "hydro".

Dogastrophe

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 434
  • Location: 44.6488° N, 63.5752° W
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #18 on: May 02, 2019, 01:36:33 PM »
Canadians: what is "hydro"? I assumed it was water, but then one participant was talking about new home expenses and said: hydro, gas, water, and insurance. Did she just misspeak, or is hydro water?

The show Clean House did a follow up visit show after a couple of seasons . . . everyone kept the place fairly neat still, but I didn't totally buy it because they had already given them advance notice that they were coming to film.

Hydro is power / electricity expense.  Short for hydro-electric power generation.  Bit of a regional thing in Canada - my part of world (East Coast) tend to just call it power.

bluebelle

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 645
  • Location: near north Ontario
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #19 on: May 02, 2019, 01:46:16 PM »
I didn't know it was on you-tube, maybe I'll go back and binge watch it.   I used to watch it when it was on the air, and the sister shows: princess (about entitled young people, usually women, sponging off other people), and money moron (where one partner would nominate their spouse).

And part of watching it was to feel smug about how good I was (and I know I waste lots).   I always assumed it was really trumped up for TV.  That no one could be that oblivious about their spending.  I get how folks may not realize how money is trickling through their fingers one latte at a time, but not to the tune of -$5,000 a month.  I really liked the aspect where she had folks track their spending.   If you haven't been paying attention, it's always an eye opener to see there the money goes.   I really liked that she always included a little for entertainment, not much but something, even if it was a pizza every two weeks.  And the idea of finding fun free/cheap things for entertainment.

And the idea of money jars are good for people that can't be trusted with a credit card.   When the jar is empty, stop spending.

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #20 on: May 02, 2019, 01:54:12 PM »
Thanks, @cowman and @Dogastrophe!

Is having an animal in your screen name a Canadian thing, too?

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #21 on: May 02, 2019, 02:03:10 PM »
the sister shows: princess (about entitled young people, usually women, sponging off other people), and money moron (where one partner would nominate their spouse).

Ohhh, these sound hilarious! I would never nominate someone for something called Money Moron (even if they are one, and I know plenty), but Princess I could nominate some folks to be on and feel no guilt.

AlotToLearn

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 113
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #22 on: May 05, 2019, 07:54:52 AM »
I will binge watch this today, sounds like great Sunday afternoon TV.

Metalcat

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 17393
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #23 on: May 05, 2019, 10:18:35 AM »
Thanks, @cowman and @Dogastrophe!

Is having an animal in your screen name a Canadian thing, too?

I have an animal as my screen name and avatar too, it might be a Canadian thing.

pachnik

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1894
  • Age: 59
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #24 on: May 05, 2019, 02:34:02 PM »
My screen name is the name of my parents' cat.  Must be a Cdn. thing.  :)   

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #25 on: May 05, 2019, 04:38:50 PM »
Part of the fun of watching these for me is how not dramatic Canadians are about everything. You thought your wife had racked up $50K in consumer debt and it really is $130K . . . Surprise! And the guy doesn't flip his lid? Amazing.

Watched a couple of these today with my other half and had to keep reassuring my other half that none of this has anything to do with us. Yes, other half, you are quite responsible. We have drama here even without money problems!
« Last Edit: May 05, 2019, 04:40:36 PM by Zamboni »

Cassie

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7946
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #26 on: May 05, 2019, 05:08:26 PM »
I loved this show and clean house. I have watched all the episodes.

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #27 on: May 06, 2019, 07:04:06 PM »
Yes, love Niecy Nash and the whole crew on Clean House!

S1E6 Young couple, early 30's, service jobs: Image is everything, baby! They are sweet under their vain exteriors, but they've always relied on being cute and looking good and that caused them to refuse to grow up. Dude spent $500/month on convenience store candy!

S1E7 Shopaholics, debt collectors are calling: $97K combined income . . . and still resort to payday loan places . . . owe money to EVERY ADULT in their extended family . . . have declared bankruptcy twice . . . yikes! These are the relatives we all dread and avoid.

S1E8 Young couple, he's a contractor, small child, learned TONS: money is tight, but they learned how to quote jobs so he doesn't lose money, basic business accounting, saying "no" to buying things for their daughter, paying themselves first, budgeting money for monthly debt pymt.


Peachtea

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 289
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #28 on: May 06, 2019, 07:37:21 PM »
Okay, I’m now addicted and binging on this. Thanks for the hydro clarification...really confused when she said hydro, water, gas, etc. I was like wait did she just list the same thing twice using different words? Also for a while I was thinking water was a big expense in Canada since it kept being listed after the mortgage.. Lol

I think it’s interesting how she changes the plan based on each couple she situation. Like some folks get monthly budgets and their ccs hidden. Others she actually shreds them and puts them on a weekly budget! I also really like how she makes them do their own work and planning - I think the lessons prob stick better that way. And she comes off genuine, with a compassionate but tough love approach that seems very reasonable. She’s cutting their expenses a bunch and putting them on a budget but not suggesting the more mustachian things that might be too much of a system shock to these folks.

I could NOT believe the guy who was making his own lunches was spending so much. Like what? At that point just buy your lunch because you’re spending so outrageously it’s doing nothing but giving you the illusion of frugality.

Awesomeness

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 180
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #29 on: May 07, 2019, 02:52:39 PM »
Binge watching it too. Thanks for telling me its on youtube.  I dont use it enough for tv shows but now I do.

Would love it if she did follow up shows.  Gail's retired now but did recently cowrite another book "CEO of Everything", for people who find themselves suddenly single. She's a gem.

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #30 on: May 07, 2019, 03:42:05 PM »
^Ooooh, I'll have to check out that CEO of Everything book. Thanks for the tip about that!

I think it’s interesting how she changes the plan based on each couple she situation. Like some folks get monthly budgets and their ccs hidden. Others she actually shreds them and puts them on a weekly budget!

Holy moly I didn't actually noticed how much she was tailoring things, but now that I think back she definitely treated the cards differently for different people. I had noticed that some folks got monthly money jars and some got weekly . . . I wonder if that has anything to do with how often the people get paid, or if it is just based upon the varying levels of impulse control?

Peachtea

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 289
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #31 on: May 07, 2019, 06:35:32 PM »
It seemed to me that weekly jars happened more with the lower income folks, but also those whose cc debt (vs personal loans, student loans, etc) was completely out of control.

calimom

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1363
  • Location: Northern California
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #32 on: May 07, 2019, 07:18:28 PM »
Binge watching it too. Thanks for telling me its on youtube.  I dont use it enough for tv shows but now I do.

Would love it if she did follow up shows.  Gail's retired now but did recently cowrite another book "CEO of Everything", for people who find themselves suddenly single. She's a gem.

Have you read this @Awesomeness? I too like Gail but wonder if the book For those of us in the US, there might be too many differences in our SS systems for example, not to mention retirement accounts. My countty library system doesn't have the book and Amazon would be the only alternative.

RetiredAt63

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 20746
  • Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #33 on: May 08, 2019, 07:55:49 AM »
Binge watching it too. Thanks for telling me its on youtube.  I dont use it enough for tv shows but now I do.

Would love it if she did follow up shows.  Gail's retired now but did recently cowrite another book "CEO of Everything", for people who find themselves suddenly single. She's a gem.

Have you read this @Awesomeness? I too like Gail but wonder if the book For those of us in the US, there might be too many differences in our SS systems for example, not to mention retirement accounts. My countty library system doesn't have the book and Amazon would be the only alternative.
"CEO of Everything" is probably her only book I haven't read - I just got the e-book from the library yesterday based on Awesomeness's mention.  But think of her as a more sensible version of Dave Ramsey.  She is really good at getting people to sort out their finances, cut back on stupid spending, get out of debt and start saving for the future.  The differences between the Canadian and American systems can be figured out from other sources. 

Awesomeness

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 180
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #34 on: May 08, 2019, 10:50:48 AM »
Binge watching it too. Thanks for telling me its on youtube.  I dont use it enough for tv shows but now I do.

Would love it if she did follow up shows.  Gail's retired now but did recently cowrite another book "CEO of Everything", for people who find themselves suddenly single. She's a gem.

Have you read this @Awesomeness? I too like Gail but wonder if the book For those of us in the US, there might be too many differences in our SS systems for example, not to mention retirement accounts. My countty library system doesn't have the book and Amazon would be the only alternative.
"CEO of Everything" is probably her only book I haven't read - I just got the e-book from the library yesterday based on Awesomeness's mention.  But think of her as a more sensible version of Dave Ramsey.  She is really good at getting people to sort out their finances, cut back on stupid spending, get out of debt and start saving for the future.  The differences between the Canadian and American systems can be figured out from other sources.

Not yet, I did watch an interview on youtube where she talked in good detail what it's about. Gail just divorced for the third time then cowrote this book. I'm 18 months out from a horrible divorce and was glad to hear I had done a few things she mentioned, mainly changing beneficiaries and getting your estate in order so you don't leave things to your ex, I couldn't do that fast enough. I studied the SS system for hours to understand it and protect myself, it's pretty confusing.  Like everything else it reaffirmed that I won't remarry or blend finances w anyone again. 

My library didn't have it but it's on my list now.

In the interview she did touch on what you're mentioning about the different systems. Maybe RetiredAt63 will give us a heads up on that. 

Laserjet3051

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 904
  • Age: 95
  • Location: Upper Peninsula (MI)
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #35 on: May 08, 2019, 04:18:20 PM »
OK, I'll admit that after reading this thread, I went and binge watched the first season of Till Debt Do Us Part.

I've just got one question. I've had many Canadian friends over the years who have relocated to the USA and their Quebecian or Newfoundland accents were readily identifiable. But I was not prepared for how thick Gail's accent was. In fact, at first I was wondering what far away country she was from as it didnt seem to match the quality or depth of Canadian accents I've encountered (and I lived only 100 miles from the Canadian border).

So my question is, What part of canada do people speak like this and is it common or unique to a particular ethnic background/location? I really could not get beyond it, despite liking the show.

Dogastrophe

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 434
  • Location: 44.6488° N, 63.5752° W
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #36 on: May 08, 2019, 04:43:01 PM »
She was born in Jamaica and moved to Canada (Ontario) in her late teens.  Her current accent is a bit of both.

 

Goldielocks

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7062
  • Location: BC
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #37 on: May 08, 2019, 05:04:19 PM »
Binge watching it too. Thanks for telling me its on youtube.  I dont use it enough for tv shows but now I do.

Would love it if she did follow up shows.  Gail's retired now but did recently cowrite another book "CEO of Everything", for people who find themselves suddenly single. She's a gem.

Have you read this @Awesomeness? I too like Gail but wonder if the book For those of us in the US, there might be too many differences in our SS systems for example, not to mention retirement accounts. My countty library system doesn't have the book and Amazon would be the only alternative.

75% of the finance books I read are US-based.  The differences are not so great. 
One interesting point in one of Gail's books that would not apply to you -- how to keep your mortgage inside your RRSP (like an IRA).
I very much liked her money rules book, and the book about boundaries and relationships -->how to not be the patsy to your greedy / money sucking / dependent relative (even if they are your kid / parent / SO).


Goldielocks

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7062
  • Location: BC
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #38 on: May 08, 2019, 05:10:41 PM »
OK, I'll admit that after reading this thread, I went and binge watched the first season of Till Debt Do Us Part.

I've just got one question. I've had many Canadian friends over the years who have relocated to the USA and their Quebecian or Newfoundland accents were readily identifiable. But I was not prepared for how thick Gail's accent was. In fact, at first I was wondering what far away country she was from as it didnt seem to match the quality or depth of Canadian accents I've encountered (and I lived only 100 miles from the Canadian border).

So my question is, What part of Canada do people speak like this and is it common or unique to a particular ethnic background/location? I really could not get beyond it, despite liking the show.
Do you live in PA?   I found many Americans from that area had a hard time putting aside my "unqiue Canadian Accent". (or maybe it is cultural thing to talk about someone's accent ad naseum if you are from the PA region?).   My accent has hints of ND in it, for reference, slightly different from Central Canada, does not get noticed on the prairies or west coast.

As other said -- there is a bit of Jamaican in Gail's accent, but not overly much.

Laserjet3051

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 904
  • Age: 95
  • Location: Upper Peninsula (MI)
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #39 on: May 08, 2019, 05:25:45 PM »
OK, I'll admit that after reading this thread, I went and binge watched the first season of Till Debt Do Us Part.

I've just got one question. I've had many Canadian friends over the years who have relocated to the USA and their Quebecian or Newfoundland accents were readily identifiable. But I was not prepared for how thick Gail's accent was. In fact, at first I was wondering what far away country she was from as it didnt seem to match the quality or depth of Canadian accents I've encountered (and I lived only 100 miles from the Canadian border).

So my question is, What part of Canada do people speak like this and is it common or unique to a particular ethnic background/location? I really could not get beyond it, despite liking the show.


Do you live in PA?   I found many Americans from that area had a hard time putting aside my "unqiue Canadian Accent". (or maybe it is cultural thing to talk about someone's accent ad naseum if you are from the PA region?).   My accent has hints of ND in it, for reference, slightly different from Central Canada, does not get noticed on the prairies or west coast.

As other said -- there is a bit of Jamaican in Gail's accent, but not overly much.

Not PA, I used to live south of Montreal on the US side. Jamaica? Funny, my wife is Jamaican, and I just dont hear it from Gail.

Maverick1

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 46
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #40 on: May 08, 2019, 10:21:49 PM »
It was a pretty good show. Gail mostly applied common sense finances to couples who were careless with their money. I liked the episodes where high income couples were having money problems, Gail always found thousands of dollars of frivolous monthly spending. Couples with low incomes and children were tough to watch, sometimes there wasn’t a lot they could do.

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #41 on: May 11, 2019, 05:33:51 AM »
Interesting that Gail spent her early years in the Caribbean!

I was going to watch all of these, but once in a while a couple just rubs me too much the wrong way right at the start . . . so I'm going to skip those since I value my life energy.

Onward with the summaries!

S1E10: The ostrich and the bull: $60K combined income, 11 yrs married, one young daughter who thinks they are "poor" because of money stress which is obviously causing her stress. He always kept his individual account, while she only had their joint account  . . .  I think this is what caused Gail to emphasize the expense split by income: he pays 3/5, she pays 2/5, of all bills.

On a personal note, this guy looks just like the best, nicest boss I ever had (for 3 years back in my early 20's.) So, I want them to succeed based just upon that. Weird, huh?

S1E11: live-in extended family, one child, low income. She has the steady income and he works erratically . . . 60% of their income goes to home & utilities. Ouch! Family first, but all of the burden and responsibility is falling on her. Spending far exceeds income. Gail helps them get the other adults to pitch in, and she puts pressure on him to step up and grow up.

S1E12: shopaholics. Income of $100K, but they spend $11K a month on all kinds of shopping, tanning, etc. Very disorganized about getting bills paid, so creditor are calling. Also, "bags" of milk? I'm learning a ton about Canadian every day life watching this show. . .

S1E13: the big red jacked up boy toy. This is my favorite one so far. Young couple expecting a baby and clueless about money. They owned 3 trucks and a car (and a motorcycle, snow mobile . . .) Gail breaks down their astounding transportation expenses.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2019, 10:08:38 AM by Zamboni »

RetiredAt63

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 20746
  • Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #42 on: May 11, 2019, 08:23:10 AM »
Book report time.  I read her CEO book and there is very little financial stuff in it.  It is a book about the changes we have to deal with when we are newly widowed or divorced (she was freshly divorced, her co-writer was widowed).  Lots of good stuff, but not a finance book.

bacchi

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7056
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #43 on: May 11, 2019, 02:02:36 PM »
Great show. Finishing up the 1st season, only episode 2 has seen a check of less than $5000. The wife was pissed about it, too.

The S1E1 couple is apparently doing well, at least according to the comments on youtube. Some of the other couples, though -- I doubt they made it because I'm not convinced that one month can change someone's lifetime habits. Give up smoking in a week? Stop being a lay-about (S1E11) because someone scolds you? Unlikely.

It is amazing that couples earning $90k resort to payday loans.

Peachtea

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 289
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #44 on: May 11, 2019, 02:25:00 PM »

S1E10: The ostrich and the bull: $60K combined income, 11 yrs married, one young daughter who thinks they are "poor" because of money stress which is obviously causing her stress. He always kept his individual account, while she only had their joint account  . . .  I think this is what caused Gail to emphasize the expense split by income: he pays 3/5, she pays 2/5, of all bills.

On a personal note, this guy looks just like the best, nicest boss I ever had (for 3 years back in my early 20's.) So, I want them to succeed based just upon that. Weird, huh?

I thought it was really weird how he didn’t want her to have an individual account and set off controlling red flags. I’m really glad Gail pushed back against him on this, although I can’t help to think that lady might have needed her own account...

Zamboni

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3882
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #45 on: May 11, 2019, 05:26:11 PM »
^Yeah, that weirded me out, too. He just looked like my old boss, but definitely didn't have the same personality.

Also, as a divorce survivor, I bet that CEO book is worth the read.

I'm now on season 2. Here's the first 3 in that:

S2E1: too little $$$. Family of 5 trying to live on $34K. She got laid off 2 years ago and filled the time void with shopping. 16 credit cards . . . and in the cycle of paying one card from another card every month. Their house is more than they can afford, but it will also cost them money to move. They seemed committed to turning it around.

S2E2: young, lazy, sassy, and spoiled. Lisa's brother, if you are reading, please don't give her any money! And husband, bruh, stop thinking with your dick and drop this toxic parasite. I was starting to think all Canadians were nice folks, but Lisa has proven me wrong.

S2E3: High income, high burn rate, high debt. Another family of 5. I liked how Gail involved the older two children in the expense cutting discussion. Husband has fully bought into constant optimization principle. OMG! You can be paid in Canada to be a rent-a-goalie?! That's it, I'm moving north, and it's not just because of Trump after all . . . it's because I'm becoming a professional netminder. Also, I think this is my new fav. She was sweet and sincere, the kids pitched in, and he was all in and had a crazy giant walrus mustache. Good stuff!
« Last Edit: May 11, 2019, 05:48:15 PM by Zamboni »

Goldielocks

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7062
  • Location: BC
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #46 on: May 11, 2019, 05:58:33 PM »
Hiring out a goalie usually provides just enough money to help the goalie buy his / her goalie equipment, and it is very hard to play your rec team without a goalie (or a SH_T goalie)...   Most teams do have a team member as a goalie but it is a thing.

I would liken it to ski "ambassadors" at the hill that provide free tours and in exchange get seasons passes and a ski jacket with the mountain logo on it.  You work for 1-2 days a month and get a free annual ski pass. It offsets an expensive hobby.

Maya

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 256
  • Location: Canada
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #47 on: May 18, 2019, 06:51:56 PM »
Interesting that Gail spent her early years in the Caribbean!

I was going to watch all of these, but once in a while a couple just rubs me too much the wrong way right at the start . . . so I'm going to skip those since I value my life energy.



S1E12: shopaholics. Income of $100K, but they spend $11K a month on all kinds of shopping, tanning, etc. Very disorganized about getting bills paid, so creditor are calling. Also, "bags" of milk? I'm learning a ton about Canadian every day life watching this show. . .



bags of milk is a regional thing and raises other Canadian eyebrows just a much. Still the way of 4L milk purchases (gallon) in ontario and Quebec, but the west has gone over to plastic jugs though they did have bags for awhile when I was a kid. It was weird to move to Quebec and find them come back again.

Serendip

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2210
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #48 on: May 18, 2019, 08:10:04 PM »
Loved this show years ago and used to watch it as inspiration when I was getting my student loan under control.

 I actually 'froze' my credit card (in the freezer) and went to using cash exclusively (Gail was a big influence on my spendy younger-self!)

rob in cal

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 333
Re: Til Debt Do Us Part
« Reply #49 on: May 19, 2019, 12:36:18 AM »
Zamboni, thanks for starting the thread and the info about the show.  Love it, even my wife and kids are enjoying it.  Season 2, episode 2, now that was hilarious and sad.  But it was interesting to see a couple actually fail during the month of coaching by Gail, to lend some diversity of results.