Financially Auditing the 'Friends' Gang (Friends TV Show)

The one where their money decisions get roasted. || Try Rocket Money for free: RocketMoney.com/CARA #rocketmoney #personalfinance
🎥 More about this video:
Today, we are financially auditing the Friends characters! Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, and Ross are all under the money microscope today as I break down their income streams, their spending habits, and their money habits as seen on the famous 90’s sitcom. Not only that, but we’ll rank the Friends from worst to best with their money - who do you think lands on the top?
Let me know your thoughts on this character financial audit and who I should cover next!
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🔍 Resources mentioned:
Attractive waiters get more tips: www.businessinsider.com/prett...
Bustle article on Friends characters’ incomes: www.bustle.com/entertainment/...
4 Qualities of people good with money: www.businessinsider.com/quali...
Women financially affected more by divorce than men: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
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- One-time donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/cara.nicole
- Join my Patreon: patreon.com/caranicole
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🎥 Check out some of my other videos! 🎥
- Financially Auditing Carrie Bradshaw: • Financially Auditing C...
- Live Shopping: • Let’s talk live shopping.
- Let's Talk 'Haul Culture': • Let’s talk 'Haul Cultu...
- Let's talk aesthetic subcultures: • Let's talk social medi...
Time Stamps:
00:00 Let’s audit the Friends!
01:32 Joey Tribbiani
06:56 Rachel Green
10:32 Monica Geller
12:57 Chandler Bing
16:53 Phoebe Buffay
19:34 Ross Geller

[@elizabethwillis885]

$200 a month for that place is more unbelievable than anything else in the show.

[@samelmudir]

I know people that still pay less than $1k for 2 bedroom apartments because they are rent controlled starting from grandparents

[@elizabethwillis885]

@@samelmudir I am very happy for those who are able to have a rent controlled unit from their grandparents. However I think it’s astonishingly unfair to others. It’s just another way wealth stays in families. The wealth inequality in the US is enormous.

[@Bariom_dome]

I suppose those were 90s prices

[@crazymonky24]

@@elizabethwillis885 "I think it's unfair that not everyone has to struggle with paying rent." weird take but okay. The wealth wouldn't be transferred to someone else if they left their rent controlled apartment, and there's nothing wrong with middle class / upper middle class people keeping wealth in their family.

[@elizabethwillis885]

@@crazymonky24 not a weird take at all. Rent is ridiculously high in NYC. So much so that most people can’t afford a one bedroom apartment. The fact that an apartment the same size and same location could be rented for 3000 a month and another one for 800 is ridiculous. The system is flawed.

[@user-nb6dz2xo6h]

Im surprised you did not mentioned how unreasonable Monica acted when planning her wedding. She wanted to spend all Chandler’s savings🥵

[@MsCgagne]

And, he eventually caved; another example of a lack of boundaries on his part.

[@livefreediepretty]

And the time she got into day trading and picked a share because it was her initial

[@adamking2105]

@@livefreediepretty And the entire episode about Monica NOT having an emergency fund! When we found out Monica broke the porch swing, and not Hurricane Gloria!

[@mastersnet18]

@@MsCgagneno, SHE caved and agreed to save the money. She’s realized he was right.

[@TaheerahA]

@mastersnet18 he caved and said they could spend the money - but when he started talking about the life he had pictured for them she then realised he was right and ended up backing down in the end. Had he not mentioned those things she would have gone for the expensive wedding instead.

[@MoshiMoshitoyou]

You forgot that monica didnt have substantial money saved for her own wedding....and relied on her parents to finance the bigger part of it....she was so upset when she was told that they spent it on buying the beach house....their wedding relied almost totally on chandler's savings and when she was fired from her job had to borrow money from ross....that somewhat goes against how monica was audited by you....and i think both ross and chandler were the steadiest of the group income wise... i dont think ross was ever unemployed in the series...i am not sure though....Great video as always!!!

[@xant8344]

My ranking would be at the end of the show: Chandler Ross Rachel Joey Monica Phoebe And at the beginning: Chandler Ross Monica Phoebe Rachel Joey

[@adwaitin]

Exactly what I was going to comment. Chandler deserves the first spot because not only did he have proven savings that Monica wanted to send on a wedding, but also firm decision making as he was completely against it. Also helping Joey was a great thing, in todays world we forget that helping friends is important, as they will do the same for us. not only that Chandler did it while have good saving for himself.

[@Lucy-wc5vf]

Ross got put on sabbatical and then Monica mentioned that he hasn’t been working at the museum for a year so he was definitely not working for a while

[@shmwmlam3953]

​@@Lucy-wc5vfyes.... remember Turkey sandwich.....😂. YOU ATE MY SANDWICH? M...Y......SANDWICH .............???????? He was sent home after that

[@yana112o92]

Ross was unemployed for some weeks I think? That sandwich incident got him fired and that's why he transferred to teaching in univ. But yeah, he's the most financially stable.

[@cxnoelle_1220]

Monica definitely wasn’t smart with her money. when she lost her job in the early seasons she was borrowing money from Ross for her expenses. And then for her wedding they used Chandlers money bc she didn’t have any/enough saved.

[@Oraclep20]

The $400 boots came to mind

[@LuuCaicedo]

When I saw that I thought she was seen what Monica shows and not what she was and it was that. She focus on how organized she "look" and not on her behavior, Monica invested based on letters she likes, wanted to spend all savings on her wedding, had unreliable jobs during the first seasons and borrow money on the show.

[@Coolbabka1994]

Agreed! And also when she was trying to make money by doing trading and lost everything!

[@stella_abroad2005]

In her defence tho she thought her parents had saved up for her wedding. They also payed for all of ross‘ weddings so on that one I feel like yes she could’ve saved for it and not use all of chandlers savings but she also thought she could rely on her parents

[@CanuckleheadHistory]

Chandler and Joey were like brothers to each other. I don’t think Chandler had any siblings, and Joey only had sisters. I can see why Chandler would want to help him out.

[@victoria139]

Rachel is absolutely the best saver in the show- she was ready to have a child as a single parent still in the city and really didn't even factor in Ross cause she didn't know if he'd want to be involved. I will say I think outside of subsidizing Joey and Monica's wild spending habits I think Chandler is also really great but he's got some expensive friends.

[@9an13l]

"Financially auditing Doug and Carrie from King of Queens" DEW IT!!

[@NJdaniels96]

Yeah that'd be interesting. They should've been making $100k by the end of the seri3s but they always had money trouble. Plus they kept doing stuff like casually taking out loans to remodel the house.

[@Nohandleentered]

@@NJdaniels96 I always found that loan part weird. The house they lived in, today, would still be fairly modestly priced and a UPS driver & paralegal with no kids could definitely afford it. So I never got why they took out two loans just to redo the basement

[@NJdaniels96]

@@Nohandleentered plus Carrie wanted $4k to renovate and supply her home office for work.

[@Mav0585]

@@Nohandleenteredyes UPS drivers can make a lot these days

[@CiarnaK]

It's good to see pre-nup culture being discussed positively. The best description I've seen for it is "Preparing for the worst when things are at their best".

[@Whynotify]

Its still sad. And awkward to talk about with your partner. There is always doubt of trust when it's mentioned, maybe cause you're preparing for eternity together

[@anaalves3658]

I have a prenup, it wasn't awkward for us because we have always had an open and honest relationship with our finances. My husband has worked really hard since he was 19 and I don't think that it's fair that I get half of it because I didn't work for half of it. We have property in both our names and we keep good records of what we spend and what each contributes.

[@cloudedsky88]

Disagreeing with Monica as number one. Chandler and Ross always seemed more financially stable, especially because they both supported her during the show.

[@isabellearaujo8991]

For sure! Ross, then Chandler, then Monica

[@octoberbleak8184]

Would love to see the medical bills in House M.D.

[@dani-888]

!!!

[@MsCgagne]

I'm not sure Monica has the best financial habits, When she lost her job she had to borrow money from Ross which would indicate that she didn't have enough savings to get her through that tough time. I would say Ross had the best financial situation. He was always employed with good paying jobs, and despite his divorces, he still managed to support himself quite well. And really, I think only the first divorce impacted him financially considering the other two happened so soon after he got married. Just my two cents 🙂

[@Pinkladyisv]

I actually think that Chandler and Ross have the best finances out of the group.

[@jmsl_910]

lorelei gilmore?

[@MsCgagne]

Ooh good one.

[@kelseygalinski580]

YES!!!!

[@usagiikay]

THE GILMORE GIRLS YES YES PLS

[@jocelynnelson]

Didn’t Monica ask her parents for money and they asked what happened to her rainy days fund? It sounded like she didn’t have one.

[@cloudedsky88]

Yeah, during the early seasons that was the case and ultimately she asked Ross and he lent it to her

[@branddransnothingbuthands599]

To be fair I think her spending habits stem from her parents because I remember on the wedding episodes for her and chandler, they did save fund for her but ended up just using it for a new summer villa ( somewhere along those lines) Ross is the “genius” of the family and ig being married also led him to be more responsible whilst Monica got a good deal for the apartment, lived only for herself throughout Ross’s marriage and probably had enough money from her chef days to not “worry” about savings because she probably had more than enough per month.

[@branddransnothingbuthands599]

To be fair I think her spending habits stem from her parents because I remember on the wedding episodes for her and chandler, they did save fund for her but ended up just using it for a new summer villa ( somewhere along those lines) Ross is the “genius” of the family and ig being married also led him to be more responsible whilst Monica got a good deal for the apartment, lived only for herself throughout Ross’s marriage and probably had enough money from her chef days to not “worry” about savings because she probably had more than enough per month.

[@xant8344]

I would love to see Michael Scott and also Ron Swanson

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

ooh both of those would be great!

[@ladadidarlee]

pretty sure Ron’s top spending habit would be on food only 🤣

[@minsohn8290]

Can you audit The Big Bang Theory?

[@mxmxmxnanana]

I'm still confused as to how Sheldon and his physicist at Caltech salary needed a roommate to split rent with but struggling actress Penny was able to live alone across the hall.

[@minsohn8290]

​@@mxmxmxnananaRight? But Penny said "I'm cute I get by" etc and one time she forgot to pay bills and water shut off etc

[@aprilm9379]

Yesssssss

[@bethanyvarre9142]

​@@mxmxmxnananaSheldon did have a drawer full of uncashed checks and Lenard mentioned that he was still paying off student loans.

[@carolinasantos3248]

@@mxmxmxnanana Sheldon once said that he lived on 50% of his salary after taxes, and he spends a lot of money on comic books and eating out, so I believe he prioritizes having a roomate so he can do these other things... as for Penny, she was well financially irresponsible, living paycheck to paycheck, and the rent probably already consumed a large part of the monthly budget

[@mariahsmom9457]

Even in the 90s, $200/month was not believable for rent controlled apartment like that.

[@tacobellbeefburrito]

Yeah, in sex in the city, Carrie bradshaws apartment in New York City was rent controlled and was still $720 for a one bedroom

[@SL-lz9jr]

Semi fair point. But ultimately you're comparing two different scenarios. I don't think Carrie's rent controlled apartment was passed down to her. Whereas Monica's apartment was under her grandmother's name. If her grandmother has lived there decades before Monica took over, the incremental rent increases would realistically be quite low. Maybe not $200 a month low, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was less than what Carrie paid for her apartment. I know of people who have lived in NYC their entire lives and even today their rent tops out at $1000. So how much a tenant pays would largely depend on when their lease began because the rent increases were so minute. So yes I agree that $200 a month seems unrealistic even for a rent controlled lease that has been active for decades but I wouldn't compare it to Carrie's rent controlled lease because she had lived in NYC for a much shorter time than presumably Monica's grandmother and then Monica after (remember, Monica wasn't legally the lease holder) ​@@tacobellbeefburrito

[@analea6531]

Your ranking was pretty accurate, I love how you talk about the fact that circumstances and background matter. I’m so tired of people on KZbin acting like we don’t make it in life because we don’t have the right mindset when others have millionaire parents, connections and jobs handed to them as soon as they feel ready to work. Of course good habits, good money management and a winner mindset help to balance a bad start in life but it’s important to acknowledge that part of success mostly overlooked by wannabe financial gurus

[@jessica23claire]

Have I ever watched Friends? No. Will I watch you roast their financial decisions? Absolutely yes.

[@alufernandez]

Idk if this is relevant or not, but as we rewatch the show, husband and I could not stop counting how many groceries they have and almost never use. Specially Joey, who never cooks but has a full pantry. I also love to stop and look through Monica's pantry, full of italian/foreign products (makes sense bc of her job, but also very expensive to have). Plus the fact they are always walking into each other's fridge and taking some fancy water, beer, orange juice and what ever.

[@SailorLavender]

HELLO?! The monkey? The leather pants? I wasn't even thinking about a car!

[@cloudedsky88]

As for Monica: During the show she invested in stocks but gambled around, became addicted and ultimately lost all her money. And during another time when she was unemployed she went through her emergency fund/savings and wanted to ask her parents for money but when she tried to ask them they said she probably wouldn’t need any because surely she put aside a percentage of her monthly income

[@mrmikebrew]

As a person who had worked in the restaurant industry, I have no clue how Monica has time to hang out with friends like she does, and friends who work normal hours

[@PrinceKumaVoca]

I think it'd be interesting to see a financial audit of the adults in Full House, though theres kind of a roller coaster there.

[@bip5395]

What about Monica’s too expensive, uncomfortable boots?

[@Toidal]

I bet Joey was probably also kindly supporting his agent Estelle giving her a big percentage, given that he and that paper eater were her only clients.

[@biljam972]

How about auditing Seinfeld characters? How the hell does Kramer afford NY apartment? Or even Newman?

[@mistress.villaina7591]

monica #1 is crazyy. i know her personality is portrayed as ocd but it doesnt always translate to finances and she was shown not to have good financial habits multiple times

[@Nohandleentered]

I would love to see a My Name is Earl or Malcom in Middle audit. One with some real people.

[@brittanytyler2620]

One thing I think is missing from the analysis is when Monica actually did invest in the stock market (including, famously, in the ticker ZXY).

[@kimbus101]

Can you do one on the Gilmore girls?

[@user-vn6zr9ky1i]

please do parks and rec next

[@cassiekamm]

On the divorce thing... who is left financially destitute after a divorce really depends on where you live and how much you make. I have male friends who's wives had full affairs, even bringing the kids around the guy they were cheating with. Because this is a no fault state, her behavior was not apart of divorce proceedings and it was all but guaranteed that the woman got custody of the children- regardless of the fact that the kids wanted to live with their father. With multiple children, a man can expect to pay $3k/month in child support and alimony. Prenuptial agreements are not iron clad and are thrown out by the judge often. I won't run on here, but there are absolutely disadvantages to being a man seeking a divorce. I suspect I have a difference of opinion here because I am a but older and have actually seen plenty of my male friends and coworkers go through this.

[@froggywithaheart]

genuine question, why didn't they file divorce on the adultery ground? is it bc that would've taken longer?

[@katc2040]

​@froggywithaheart you dont know what a no fault state is, no fault states dont take in account extramarital affairs. But i think its also fair to mwntion mentionmention

[@froggywithaheart]

@@katc2040 in my country, we've something called divorce by mutual consent, basically the couple's saying we wanna part ways for xyz reasons, could be as simple as lack of love to cheating. it's more civil and quick, usually u get it in 6 months, quicker if the court thinks fit. when I hear no fault divorce, that's how my brain translates it. so, i *think* I'm aware adultery could be a factor in no fault...my ques was, why choose this "more" civil ground when you can do all the blame game, since that could affect the alimony and maintenance in ur favour. bc if you're being civil with ur partner, court's gonna interpret the law in the literal sense....that's in women's favour. proving her guilty can give the court a means/ reason to re-evaluate the provisions. so basically i was just asking, if the men wanted to get rid of their cheating wives asap or is there any other reason?

[@delusionalmilkshake]

No offense, but i kinda got feeling you either brushed thru the show or never watched it and found all the info somewhere else. Some events that show how finacially good/bad and stable/unstable are missing. Like Chandler having saving account that had great sum of money on it that was later used as ground payment for the house, or all the times monica was caught not having any savings. Plus, Pheobe never inherited house, she lived in two bedroom apartman with her grandma, she had a roommate Denis, at one point Rachel. Edit: and the fact you don't know how to pronounce someone of their names.

[@spokenwordpoetries]

Remember how Joey bought a house full of expensive stuff when he finally got paid, and then he lost all of it through repossession? That is why he had the ugly dog statue in the apartment because Ross or Chandler (can’t recall) bought it for him. I know it’s all fun here, but I disagree that Joey was good with money.

[@gmy_2006]

I would LOVE to see a financial audit of the whole Brooklyn 99 team, but especially with Jake! I think it would be particularly interesting, considering the huge character growth throughout the show, especially with Jake and Amy. Also related to Brooklyn 99, I would love to see a commentary style video on Amy's approach to the Marie Kondo method in S6, E7. Again, I think it would be really cool because her views and opinions change so much throughout the episode. Although since this storyline only takes place over one episode, I totally understand if it doesn't warrent making a dedicated video. Either way, if you covered anything Brooklyn 99 related, my little sister and I would be over the moon! Thank you so much for contributing meaningful content to the platform. Love you and your videos so much. ❤

[@TF549]

If friends was set in 2024, joey would definitely have an onlyfans

[@devonlittle89]

There’s an episode early in the show where Monica loses her job and when her dad finds out he asks “how much of each check do you put in savings?!” And she quickly replied “30%”

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

ooh I missed that, more evidence!

[@devonlittle89]

@@thefinancialfreedomgirl I believe it’s in one of the first two seasons

[@TaheerahA]

It was proven in that episode that despite having that drilled into her she absolutely did *not* follow that advice, hence having to borrow money from Ross

[@devonlittle89]

@@TaheerahA yes!!

[@gwenjackson8583]

@@thefinancialfreedomgirlexcept Monica didn’t do that. She didn’t save for a rainy day like she was told to and had to borrow from Ross when she lost her job. She also pushed Chandler into spending almost all of his savings on her extravagant wedding, which might explain why they ran into some financial trouble when he decided to switch careers.

[@bestintheworld4850]

Another video of you, I love them they are always interesting watches, and you have the most soothing voice ever.

[@shaddonon]

Interesting analysis! You should do Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark, but basically use the vid as an exposé on the (frightening) reality of billionaire power. Rather than focus on what tech or luxury items are *on screen* in the Batman movies, maybe focus on what *isn't* on screen. For example, you could give real-world examples of billionaire industrial or political influence. "Here are some stats on industry / issue X before and after Y billionaire decided to get involved". Or focus on a few billionaire supply chains (the superyacht and shadow-yacht industry comes to mind). Thesis basically boils down to "imagine how much of a difference Bruce Wayne could've made if he'd used [real-world billionaire apparati covered in the video] to fight crime, instead of his fists". That sort of thing. Basically you reel in viewers expecting you to cover Batman tech, and instead you shellshock them with a basic understanding of how much power and influence billionaires wield in our society (and how much of a positive difference they could make, if they focused any amount of effort on the betterment of their fellow man).

[@seabreeze4559]

Bruce Wayne uses the mentally ill as free boxing practice scream therapy.

[@seabreeze4559]

Tony Stark wants to start WW3 so he can sell both sides weapons. He is a villain in ANY other story.

[@adrianamondello4930]

I came across your channel when I was about to be sucked into the vortex of makeup and skincare overconsumption. It's like you snapped your fingers in my face, really a wake-up call. Thank you!

[@kiterafrey]

During her season of unemployment, Monica actually addresses that she's been putting money away into savings for years to her father, but that she's now drained it all. She pushed to the last possible moment which I believe was pretty part into the season, so you hit the nail on the head there. Edit: Well technically, she doesn't tell her dad she drained it. She's embarrassed to do so.

[@ambersheahodge704]

Please financially audit the New Girl characters!!!

[@hopelinn__riuu8185]

What about rachels hair? She has an obviously expensive salon colouring Loved the video❤

[@reganlandau]

I really like that you've started this angle in videos! I may have commented this on your SATC vid, but it'd be fun to do David from Schitt's Creek (or the whole family, actually)

[@jackiemartin7276]

Not me, having never seen a single episode of Friends, watching anyways because I just like how Cara Nicole talks

[@AnjruSamuel]

Love this series, Cara! Happy Saturday :)

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

thank you and happy Saturday!!

[@olympianagel9379]

love these videos!! pls could u do the characters from how i met your mother

[@thegurlwiththeliontattoo]

I know Monica has good habits but there were several times in the show where she mentioned she doesn't save as much as she should, like when her dad was saying they don't need to loan her money when she lost her job because she has a certain percent of her pay in savings and she was like ummmmm well not THAT much, idk I feel it's a tie between her and Ross for me 🤔

[@allyssa333]

A financial audit of the Always Sunny characters would be so good! Love the video!

[@ajloveslifexo]

Audit New Girl characters!!

[@joyinrepetition1799]

I would love to see The Middle!

[@essienbaruti1388]

You should do how i met your mother

[@maire4715]

Loved this video, yey for all the planners out there!

[@TaheerahA]

Part the way through and have to say I disagree about Joey's spending being relatively stable (though you did mention impulsive spending). When he was doing well in Days of Our Lives he blew his money on rent for a fancy apartment and spent on a lot of crazy expensive home décor for it. In later seasons we see him accidentally win a boat in a charity auction and he decides to keep it even though he can't afford it, choosing to make monthly payments towards it etc. We only see him start to do better with money once or twice, such as the clip you showed where he lent money to Chandler and Monica

[@LuuCaicedo]

This !!! She seems nice but I feel when she made this video ir was based on the fact she likes Monica and in reality. Like the show is very clear she borrows money 2 times, invest on impulse and have no emergency fund and ask Ross for money 🙃

[@TaheerahA]

@LuuCaicedo completely agree - Monica was not good with money in earlier seasons, and later on we see her want to spend all of Chandler's savings on their wedding and she initially sulks when Chandler refuses. The house they buy in the suburbs also doesn't look like it would have come cheap!

[@LuuCaicedo]

@@TaheerahA yes !!! she saying that Monica has the characteristic of someone that is good with money makes no sense when Monica wanted a huge wedding but had no savings on her own to pay for it and got mad at Chandler for it 🤔

[@lindzriddb]

Really enjoying this series! Here’s a few ideas for shows! I Love Lucy (they actually give you alot to work with on grocery episodes and when she buys dresses) Gossip Girl The Office (Dwight would be a really cool one to dive into I think!)

[@ctbeatty1500]

Joey also bought a sailboat at a silent auction when he thought they were guessing the price

[@ctbeatty1500]

Rachel probably already had an amazing wardrobe too

[@beelavs]

These are my new favorite videos! Please do more!

[@anikajoy5739]

Thank you, this was wildly entertaining ❤

[@kiterafrey]

Monica and Ross's family are supposed to be the same level of wealth as Rachel's, but that was something reconned throughout the series, the early seasons they're just lower high class/upper middle class but as we get to the flashback to their pasts episodes we start seeing their wealth.

[@kiterafrey]

When I was in college in Wyoming, one of two universities I went to, I made $2.12 an hour as a waitress. We were supposed to be paid the difference to make up to $7.25 hourly if not tipped enough. It was a red state meaning almost no one ever tipped for any reason because we should "be pulling ourselves up by our boot straps." I never ever once was paid the difference. And I was young, dumb, and 18 in 2009 when we didn't have people constantly sharing information like we do now, so I didn't realize I was being taken advantage of. Now, 2024, working as a legal editor, I realize just how illegal that was but there is nothing I can do about it now.

[@AprilBloomer]

Love this series! Do Seinfeld next!!

[@kittensandkisses]

I would love to see you audit the characters in How I Met Your Mother

[@brooklynrediess2469]

I’d love to see a video expanding more on our current tipping system!

[@danielespinoza8614]

This is so wildly entertaining! would love to see HIMYM

[@ashlynevans5343]

You should do a financial audit of How I Met Your Mother characters! Specifically, Barney Stinson, I think it would be very interesting and fun!

[@kaleidoscope_nature]

I would love it if you do a video about "decluttering"-videos/trend. :) From the beginning I think it was a term from the minimalist movement - to declutter in the beginning of your journey with the intention to live with less. But it has really spiralled out of control - a lot of people online just "declutter" to be able to buy new stuff and consume more (for example a lot of beauty and fashion influencers). I even see this with people who call themselves "minimalists". They might have fewer things, but declutter none the less - and then they buy new things, or very expensive things, or rarely use an item to the end of it's lifetime. It is like they just have to have something new even if they call themselves minimalists. I think they all send the message to the viewers that "you should consume", but it is hidden behind words like "productivity" and "minimalism".

[@sweetagain]

When Chandler and Monica needed to borrow money from Joey for rent and other bills, the amount they needed definitely made it seem like their rent was way more than $200.

[@munagalalakshmipranati]

Hyy Cara....this was an extremely enjoyable video.....please consider making one on " 2 Broke Girls"

[@MD-zv6iq]

Suddenly I strongly relate to Chandler since I always lend money to my friends even when I doubt I will get money back

[@rachelmorris3498]

Can someone tell me at what point they say their rent is $200. I know they mention its cheap compared to others, but i never recall hearing an actual number.

[@crowboggs]

Don't remember what Phoebe's grandmother's apartment was like or where it was (generally... I guess Monica and Rachel's apartment was sort of in the west side of Lower Manhattan, maybe?), but even if it was in a bridge and tunnel community outside of Manhattan, Phoebe's grandmother likely had a fairly to very high value property. Also, she had a taxi cab. If we are going to look past the importance of Phoebe's emotional connection with her grandmother for the moment, then, while Phoebe's inheritance would likely have been sizeable, it would likely not have been enough to be subject to Federal inheritance tax (NY State and NYC do not at present have inheritance taxes, though they may have when the show aired for all I know), so she would only have to deal with probate fees. I can't really speculate on the real estate property, but if the cab also included a transferrable taxi medallion before the advent of the gig economy driving services, that could have been worth somewhere in the high six figures... so Phoebe and her grandmother were doing okay. At one point, you mention suggesting group activities among friends that are less cost intensive. This is (imo) a solid suggestion for a variety of reasons, many of which you express. One that you mention is hiking, which in a lot of ways is a good suggestion, but I would be interested in seeing an audit of that activity. It can be affordable, especially if this includes mellow to difficult challenge options in the local area including parks and waterfronts in more densely populated areas. Quite a few hiking options also provide accessibility. Cost wise, hiking can be a good time for many people for the price of a sturdy pair of shoes with traction and the transportation to and from the meet up spot and/or trailhead (the Friends group could have taken a train from GC or Penn Station on the Hudson line which stops at a few hiking trailheads on the weekends). Though, hiking can get expensive fairly quickly, which increases with the amount of challenge you and your friends are interested in. There are even some hidden costs that can add up. Equipment can get ridiculous, but with an affordable backpack, hiking boots/shoes (though have seen some bare feet out there in the woods and mountains), water bottle (I used a washed out two liter soda bottle for years), first aid kit and a flashlight, there are many, many places you can day hike without getting into more trouble than you can handle (if you pay attention to the weather reports)... but then there are things like the post-hike snack and drink expenses. It is a good time relaxing with your friends after a fun and challenging hike, whether in a bar or in a picnic venue with a cooler. Let's say on average you drink a beer and eat a sandwich in these get togethers, so you could be adding, let's call it, $15 to the excursion. Let's say you hike twice a month in this manner. There is $30 a month (maybe less in some months depending on the season, but maybe more in others) and $360 a year just for an hour or two after each group hike. It can totally be worth it, but the more you hike and the more challenging terrain you become interested in and the more social it becomes, all of which can be super great and fun, the more it increases in costs quicker than you might think, which... why would you know if it is newer to your experience?... so maybe an audit could be helpful for people who are looking for a good time with friends out of doors which can be very affordable with a little guidance.

[@s409-]

It would be nice to see an audit of will & grace

[@Bariom_dome]

I was afraid you'd bash my favorite characters, but I'm glad you didn't go all negative.

[@sagajohansson3110]

Please do Pretty Little Liars next. Always wondered how they could afford to drink coffee at the café all the time and had new outfits every episode 😅

[@ShayleneReynolds]

And all the pizza and take-out lol

[@lanceareadbhar]

I've been waiting for this one. I loved the show and still do despite the flaws and laugh track, but never understood their financial situation other than it was a TV show and don't think about it.

[@nadia_lndn]

Love these videos so so much - thank you for being you! Next audit idea: Emily in Paris

[@thefinancialfreedomgirl]

thank you!! also love that suggestion!

[@massomouse1556]

Looking at Ross I'm pretty sure he'd have only been two years out of school, at most, cuz he has a PhD, so I find it hard to believe he'd have been an exhibit curator yet. As for Joey, I feel like he would have been living off residuals from what are effectively are reruns, i.e. episode that were licensed and dubbed in regions outside of Canada and the US. Could you do an audit on Seinfeld? There's no way a stand-up could afford his apartment and what the heck did Kramer even do for a living? I think the only one of the four you ever even adjacently saw at work/working was Elaine.

[@toric6005]

12:37 except for in that one episode where she did day trading lol

[@Sarah_Bee21]

Since you’re doing 90s sitcoms, do Frasier Crane from Frasier next please! He has a MASSIVE apartment just for doing a radio show

[@juliana_fernandez_casas]

Phoebe's was an apartment, not a house actually, right?

[@cloudedsky88]

She definitely lived in an apartment that she inherited from her grandmother after she died. Plus she met her birth mother later in the series and she seemed to be well off too

[@rkenzie5235]

Do Gilmore Girls next!

[@aprilgrow3667]

Love these videos. I know they take a ton of work. I will say your estimate on what Rachel spent on clothes was GROSSLY inadequate. Definitely well into the 5 figure range after the first few seasons.

[@rix16]

One thing I'll say to mitigate Rachel's apparent fashion overspend is that she works in the fashion Industry. So not only will she receive discounts, she probably knows when all the sample sales are happening and where the outlet stores are so she can go along to nab herself some bargains. My friend is a designer and he's often forwarding me emails about sample sales for brands like Reiss and Ted Baker.

[@aprilgrow3667]

@@rix16 that’s very true, but I’m not sure it would cover all that spending. But it would definitely reduce it. Plus, in the early years she was shopping at Bloomingdale’s like it was her job, and she didn’t get a discount there and she was still a waitress.

[@flohough1870]

I'd like to see you do the characters from Seinfeld!

[@sergiosantos2498]

I never saw the show. When I see David Schwimmer, the first character that I think of is Capt Sobel.

[@blakeharrison3972]

Can you do an evaluation of the show Suits?

[@NotARedPanda]

I think Ross or Chandler are much better off than Monica. When she lost her job, it was revealed that she had zero savings and Ross had to lend her money. She wanted to spend Chandler’s large savings on their wedding, which he had been saving for a home. Luckily she “agreed” to have a small wedding in the end. And don’t forget the $650 boots that she couldn’t wear because they hurt her feet.

[@f.d.cwillard4478]

Can you do a video on how best to use finance apps like rocket money and mint?

[@CaroleBoulware]

A Gilmore girls could be very interesting

[@depsnagpal]

Please do Succession. I am specifically curious about the vast amounts of spending there considering Logan founded the empire a mere one generation back and still they all seem to come from a long line of generational wealth.

[@jonathanwingmusic]

By contrast how about an audit of a somewhat more recent show based in NYC which are actually a little more authentic to it's like (I live here too) - such as 'Girls' or 'Broad City' both of which highlight the odd job struggles of 20-somethings ;)

[@ADobbin1]

200 a month comes to about 800 today. As I recall monica wasn't good at budgeting when it came to her wedding. 100k back then would be about 500k today.

[@cj222100]

I'm not from NY so I don't know how it works, but even though Monica's apartment was inherited from her grandmother, who I'll assume had it for many decades, wouldn't $200/mo even with rent control still be unrealistic? Also I always got the impression that Chandler's apartment was supposed to be seen as not that nice/basic, but it was actually huge & would probably cost a fortune even then

[@jmsl_910]

ross may also have college tuition down the line for his children my son's four year tuition at an out-of-state top tier state school cost more then my 3-bedroom georgian in a chicago suburbs

[@kathryn8543]

please do gilmore girls or how i met your mother !

[@nv-ram]

To your friends 🥂 good transition

[@annettestewart7903]

Can we have a video about how much tv weddings would cost? It got me thinking because Monica made chandler spend his savings. What kind of wedding would they have had if he didn't have that money saved?

[@_Summer.]

Please do Mike & Molly at some point! Edited to add: And the two mains from “Mom” maybe?

[@mildredsantamaria9036]

Hola! Alguien de México que diga si funciona Rocket Money para los bancos mexicanos????

[@aliviablount]

Chandler has the best financial situation for sure