Can This Young Couple Get A Handle On Their Expenses? - Til Debt Do Us Part 209 - Poor Choices

[@kathleendigregorio1701]

They are a sweet, earnest couple ~ I hope they are still thriving as a family

[@Luna.3.3.3]

This is a top 10 episode by far. A couple that comes from nothing and make a very modest income. It's a far cry from most who make excellent wages but fritter it away on dumb 'stuff'. They don't whine about buying second hand. Years since he bought any clothes - no haircut for over a year. Even though they rent to own, I understand why they think it's the only way they think they can have simple pleasures. Washer/dryer, TV, I can understand. Furniture, camera is a bit of an indulgence. I love this one because Gail shows a family with modest incomes CAN work. Best of all, they're breaking the generational cycle of poor money management & making _Smart_ money decisions. Good for Dean going to get extra work! I know _Personally_ the long, hard hours working in a restaurant. It's been said many times in comments, but they should teach budgeting in school. It's a life skill, like cooking. (It drives me crazy when I see poverty docs. and they're buying frozen pizza, poor nutritional food, microwave dinners, etc.) I hope Kristy and Dean are doing well 18 years later.❤ It's 2024. (filmed in 2006)

[@americandevo]

What she doesn't realize is that many of the people she says are able to go out shopping etc. are living the same life of debt that she is.

[@laminage]

You got that right. My Cousin moves around alot, she's never happy where she is. Also she has all of these Tech Gadgets, ie Apple Watch, Tablet, and brags about how much she has but she doesn't acknowledge that she's in debt behind it.

[@eileenloves4802]

I have watched almost ever single episode and this will always be one of my favorite couples!!!!!

[@MrsEJV]

I wanted to write these kids a check! It’s hard to manage money when you come from a less than well to do background. I was glad to see that as of a year ago, they we’re together.

[@tmm6884]

Actually, I grew up dirt poor. Scored scholarships to go to college, grad school and a PhD program. I was a broke student until I was 31. I always saved money. Why? I lived in NYC with no security net. I had to budget well. It's that simple.

[@momof2momof2]

That is very kind of you, but the only way people learn is to dig themselves out, and not have a hand out. This was a learning experience they can use for the rest of their lives.

[@That_Girl1999]

​@@tmm6884 you literally just proved the stability you had in your finances in your college years by not having the burden of student debt unlike the majority of the population. You going to grad school and even a PhD is already a significant gap compared to the average person,especially one who comes from a lower class situation.

[@tmm6884]

@@That_Girl1999 I grew up on one of the poorest reservations in the US. I simply made good decisions and worked hard.

[@louisa8309]

​@@tmm6884if you grew up on a reservation than you paid nothing for school etc

[@constantinehamarakis4003]

Things are going great now. My wife owns her own business 😄 and I'm working. I'm starting my own personal chef business

[@That_Girl1999]

That's amazing! Does looking back ever fill you with pride at how much you've succeeded?

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Congratulations! Happy for your family!

[@crazywomanpress]

Congratulations Gail really helps doesn't she?😊

[@laminage]

​@@crazywomanpressShe is a saint. I learned so much from this Show and Princess. To this day Stephanie & Sam, Simone & Frank were the worst.

[@desdicadoric]

Hey I was just going to write how much I liked this couple, well done and God bless

[@12151ryan]

I love how grateful they were. And Gail always a class act.

[@leahwolber7082]

Their story really resonated with me when my husband and I were getting started and felt so broke. We really struggled to make ends meet and learned how to manage our finances after years of struggle. Hope they’re still doing ok!

[@Jane5720]

He needs to make more money per hour. If you did notice that his employer did not offer him a raise but offered him overtime...

[@barnabusdoyle4930]

Welcome to the culinary industry. I wonder if he went to school for that. It’s one of those degrees you can get where you will spend a majority of your career making less than $40k a year. You only really make money in the culinary world by being on TV

[@laminage]

The "Date" is a must now more than ever. My Cousin and her Husband do that every week and they make it a very strict rule to be on the Same Page. They use their Home Office that was once one of their kid's rooms and go over everything with a Fine Toothed Comb.

[@laurabullinger7183]

They are sweethearts! My heart goes out to them!

[@oliviafox6745]

They are learning great lessons. These will carry through for their entire lives even as their incomes increase. More often we have to learn the hard way. They are finally in a good spot.

[@naomiking2442]

I would love to know all these years later how they're doing! They did a great job on this episode :-)

[@peggypeggy4137]

I met Kristy several years ago when her son and my son played T-ball/baseball at Greenwood Park. She talked about how much she learned from the experience of doing this show--and that they were still sticking to the plan. She said that they didn't do it for the money and that they would have done it for no reward. That good attitude is probably why they got the$5K and the TV set. They did great!!

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Great news!

[@laminage]

​@@bovnycccoperalover3579That is good to know. Some of the Apartment areas are nice.

[@laminage]

​@@peggypeggy4137It's nice to know that at least one person from this show had a happy ending. Sam & Stephanie are probably divorced and Frank & Simone are probably divorced as well. This show is so bonechillng sometimes. Princess was just as horrific.

[@ginaa284]

@@laminage 'Mark my words, nothing good will come of this show' LOL yeah something did, Stephanie got counselling so hopefully that opened her eyes to the jerk she is married to. Hope she is doing well and left him.

[@angelahawkins8069]

They were such a sweet couple! So glad they did so well on here!🤗

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

I like this couple. It's clear they were completely lost and they really listened when Gail showed them the way out. One thing I'm curious about is that Kristy had $30,000 in student loans, but she worked as a receptionist. Reception work can be very demanding, but you usually don't need a post-secondary education to do it. I wonder what her degree was in?

[@ronnimm6456]

Something she should not have paid 30,000 for getting a degree in. It is sad. I felt only sympathy for this couple.

[@littleblackcar]

Sometimes there aren't that many jobs where you live, or there are but they don't accommodate your family life. My first non-seasonal job after college was cleaning kennels at a vet's office--my coworker in this was a high-school dropout who couldn't spell his own name consistently. Granted, I moved up and now work in my field of study, but I don't have kids/family demands and I live near a big city that has a wide variety of jobs. Also: Getting a job is not the sole purpose of an education.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

@@littleblackcar - Yes, that's true! When I worked at the YWCA, we had an opening for a front-desk worker in the fitness centre. The job required a high-school diploma, but paid decently and had good benefits. We were shocked when we received several dozens resumes from applicants with all types of degrees. Even though we were in a large city, there weren't a lot of jobs at the time. I agree about a job not being the sole purpose of an education. Learning and discovering about something one truly loves leads to all types of growth and is incredibly rewarding...however, it's sure nice to get a paying job afterwards in the field we love! :)

[@laminage]

@@deborahblackvideoediting8697 Right now beggars can't be choosers. I am working in a Mailroom at $17.24 Per Hour at 37.5 Hours per week. I still live at Home but I don't have any vices. I don't smoke, drink and I don't go out the way I used to so I save alot. I know if I lived on My own I would have to Moonlight but I budget to the last Dollar. I buy what I "Need" not "Want". I had wanted to go and buy a New Ipod and Keyboard & Guitar to learn to play, but I don't. Also there's nothing wrong with Thrift Shops. I've bought all kinds of Clothes courtesy of My Mom. She buys them, then she shows me how much I owe her and I pay her either right away or on Rent Day. Then when we go to Costco, she buys the stuff then she gives me the Receipt, I calculate what I wanted to get then I pay her back in a reimbursement. My Father is dead so I've really had to step up. She also knows how trustworthy I am to pay on certain days, etc.

[@kathleendigregorio1701]

Sounds like you have a plan in place and know where you want to be in life ~ good for you

[@denisebarker9288]

I really like this couple and hope they have stuck with the plan💜

[@simply.clutterfree]

What a sweet couple and family. I hope they are doing well ❤️

[@rlast4698]

I like this couple and very realistic.

[@gracefulhumble7248]

Such a lovely couple. She is so beautiful and he is handsome also. I hope they are doing well in life no matter what

[@ruthirwin8222]

Really lovely couple , hope they did as well after as they did on this show

[@debbieframpton3857]

Those rent to own places are the worst you end up spending twice as much as what the product cost by the time it's paid for

[@laminage]

You got that right. My Sister and I bought a Dell Computer back in the day, by the time we paid it off after two years, it was a piece of junk. We put it out in the street and it was gone less than an hour. Now folks are either buying Samsung, HP, or Azus.

[@aussiemouth747]

Dreadful places. Can't imagine paying off a TV or a dining room set. Nuts. I bought and sponged second hand furniture when I bought my house. 32 years later and some restoration and I still have most of it.😊

[@carlariggs525]

this couple needs to learn what a garage sale and discount stores are. I got furniture dirt cheap or free by driving around and going to garage sales.

[@shannonobrien9922]

NOT if you are able to pay it off FAST! We don't have the $ to go purchase a fridge (example) so we went to a buy here/pay here place that has 6 months sane as cash....we paid it off in less than 6 months. We did pay like 10% over cash price for the fee but when you're poor, it's an option!

[@debbieframpton3857]

What's wrong with resale shops that's how I bought most of my clothes and some household items also I have no debt and my house and car paid for

[@sharimason2977]

Nothing wring with second hand- i've purchased things second hand. What she's saying is that second hand is her only option. I make enough where i have a choice of where i spend without incurring debt.

[@debbieframpton3857]

@@sharimason2977 , Even though I still can afford to pay new I don't when I was working and had my mortgage paid for no debt I socked my extra money into savings my daughter and I still shop this way but that's up to each individual. Now that my income is social security only I still put a set of money into savings you never know when emergency might happen

[@rlast4698]

Geez. Thrift shops have stigma of only being for poor. It makes a person feel better to buy new and at a store.

[@debbieframpton3857]

@@rlast4698 , Not where I live people shop there doesn't matter income everybody loves a bargain. If people are too snobby to shop there makes no difference to me Some people prefer to buy new and carry debt I prefer to shop used and carry no debt

[@darabowen8077]

I love second had, thrift stores and hand me downs! Facebook marketplace- the best! I'm 49 and just bought my first set of new appliances! I have no house payment, no car payments and no debt.

[@nancyskaien7546]

They were adorable! Hope it worked out for them.

[@ayidas]

They were actually a good couple! 💞

[@hollyb6885]

This is a cute couple. I hope all is well with is family.

[@drewconway7135]

10:37 “This is where the red sirens are going off in the call center.” 🤣

[@laminage]

Call Centres don't play. 😯. They will wear you out. I would be so embarrassed if the Cashier talked to me like that

[@BlackNight603]

"We don't even have any fun!" 😂

[@budgetnthangs]

Borrowed from neighbor...yeah time to make some changes 👀👀

[@AndyinMTL]

crazy eh

[@deasonica]

yeah they're changing neighbourhood

[@deliamartinex2710]

I remember when we rented a TV and every 2 weeks I would go and pay until it was ours!! That was back in 1980. I was 16 and was working so I helped my Mom by taking care of the tv payments.

[@JaNouWatIkVind]

😮 I think I’d go without a tv…

[@sallylarson882]

Sweet young family

[@user-hc8li3qn3d]

They borrowed money 💵 from their neighbors 🤦‍♀️ omg!!!

[@marinashear3818]

Love this couple-sooooo cute!

[@agriope2334]

Aaaaw, when I saw that TV I knew that Gail really cares! She always seems to find the perfect gift for the couple.

[@tinajohnson1988]

Lol....basically we second hand shoppers love someone like these ladies who wear things a couple times and then donate....thank you very much!

[@janebaker4912]

Thank you so much for uploading! I love this show!!

[@katiethomas5889]

I love that dog's name, so cute.

[@rosemarywilliams9969]

"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" 😇

[@MamaPajama-yp5od]

Being creative and making do is so important! I didn’t have a tv when I was a young adult-then the neighbor put his out by the dumpster…tv….check! A pair of rabbit ears and I could watch fuzzy tv. Walking around town was usually better reception and also zero electricity. When I got married he wanted to drink soda…we couldn’t eat and have soda on our income, so soda became a treat…which it should be. Even as a comfortably housed mature person, I can’t fathom buying furniture at full cost-everything but the mattresses are second hand. Table, leather couches, etc. we have some pretty nice prices too! Rockers like mine are going for $500 on eBay, and I paid $50.

[@beckygroff8698]

Thank you for uploading-hopefully there are more?

[@ruthirwin8222]

What a delightful couple

[@57jauar]

They should be relaxing by now he's probably in a better position to make more 💲 and see the light at the end of the day. Enjoy your future and freedom nice couple 🌹

[@juliemoore6957]

What a sweet couple!

[@desdicadoric]

I like this couple and wish them well

[@nicolelewis7843]

I love resale shops, I got some good stuff at them.

[@micheleskeggs2173]

Perhaps if they can't learn these lessons from their parents it should be a mandatory class in school. Why did he need a camera anyway? They need so much help..pray they get out from under.

[@musicfan2511]

That TV set though 😂

[@lisajanefox]

It was over 10 years ago!

[@Ndstars1]

Is this a TV set for ants?!?!

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

I didn't know that rent to own still existed in 2006. They are sharks!

[@charlottemiller7675]

That's so sad they might not stay together. I've been married 23 years almost and for the first 10 years we were POOR and we always struggled but we never thought to split up. "Eventhough we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey""🎶

[@flowerchildgabrielle1448]

I need her in my life! I can’t get this budget and debt under control!

[@Mikeinreallife92]

Take a piece of paper and write down your pyramid (things you need to live) 1) Rent/mortgage 2) Food 3) utilities (electric, water, etc.) Subtract that from your monthly net take home. Then pay yourself the rest until you get to 2,000 Calculate how much you have left to get to 2,000 in your savings. Once that is done stop saving and… Take your smallest debt divide by 6 or 12 that amount you pay every month from the remaining balance of your income. Take the rest and pay the other bills. Once the smallest is paid off add the amount you were paying to the next smallest and repeat. Hope this helps.

[@scorpionmoon3549]

Um thrift stores are awesome! Uptown cheapskate and other stores that you can buy name brand clothes woth tags on it for 80% less? Is way better. But thrift stores are dangerous.

[@veronicaarellano-hernandez2209]

Great job

[@vinnyhighstrung1338]

Always seems to be the woman that says “I don’t think we will be together much longer if we don’t get our finances together.”

[@Mikeinreallife92]

That’s why you have to be real careful about your partner. A lot of women only hear the “for better” part of the vowels.

[@lesleyrafuse9088]

A lot of these husbands are the cause of the financial problems, So...

[@lesleyrafuse9088]

Nothing happens in isolation. Men going on like they're the victim are the worst.

[@dianeditty966]

Where can you get 5% interest on your money?

[@drewconway7135]

In the past

[@CocoaPuff01]

Thats so gross these two grown people enticed their babysitter to work for free so they could keep a useless tv payment in their budget.

[@scorpionmoon3549]

Cute family ❤

[@laminage]

Kristy moved around alot as she said. I wonder if her Folks had a problem holding a job or something. I sometimes wonder if they may have had dealt with Addiction Issues growing up. My Father was a recovering Alcoholic and he never realized how much Liquor did on his Finances. He quit but he would die of Lung Cancer because he smoked cigarettes starting at 15 in the 1950's.

[@isabelbecerra9258]

Need update on all these couples

[@slf5141]

How do you never pay a bill on time ?

[@laminage]

It's not as uncommon as you think. You get the Bill in The Mail, then it's shredded out. You know when the Bill is due but it's more important to buy something else. You "forget" that you owe a certian or you forget the Bank debits a certain amount each month. At the end of the month, Bank Service Charges are debited, as well as my Car Insurance. I helped my Mother out with House Insurance which is paid off for 2024, but I still help her with the House Tax, Lawn Mowing Service, and Lawn Services to keep away the pesticides etc. My Dad died 11 years ago so I've had to step up. I told My Cousin about what I have paid out and he said "Who owns the house, you or your mother!" He can't handle that sort of stress of helping family out.

[@ryuunakano7786]

Does Gail do private consutations? Cause i def could use her help

[@icestationzebraassociates2460]

When will they start teaching this in high school so kids won't get into money trouble?

[@williamegler8771]

Why can't their parents teach them?

[@icestationzebraassociates2460]

@@williamegler8771 Ask their parents. Most of them have no clue either.

[@M-hc9xm]

This is not the school system's responsibility. Parents are adults and should act as such.

[@Sunday-ex7px]

@@M-hc9xm isn’t it the school systems job to teach children what they need to know to live a successful life? Not every child has parents to teach them and many parents don’t know anything either which is how so many people end up living in generational poverty.

[@M-hc9xm]

@@Sunday-ex7px to teach them academics, yes. But parents have an obligation to teach other life skills. If they don't know it themselves, they owe their children to learn it and pass on what they learned. The school system isn't responsible for everything.

[@the.blue.raven7777]

How can we watch all seasons ? There were 11 seasons ?

[@Bandit_Spark]

$300k isn’t a lot at retirement 😦

[@ruthkief8962]

House and car paid 300k and SS is plenty in the US. Just don't be stupid!

[@elipotter369]

This was ten or more years ago. It's better than nothing or still having debt. I've more recently met women who have $5,000 in retirement funds and are in their 40s or 50s.

[@nataliefontane]

@@ruthkief8962 someone their age needs at least a million at retirement.

[@haute03]

Considering how low their salaries were I'm not surprised at that figure.

[@ruthkief8962]

You don't need a million at retirement if you have your bills payed off. Be real

[@Frugal_fitchic]

Dean is a cutie 😀

[@Frugal_fitchic]

Lara H you don’t kiss the hat lol

[@drewconway7135]

@@tao-abdn He wears it because he’s balding

[@user-ui1zv8bd4y]

Pride. We made and make a whole lot more and I shop at thrift store routinely. I see NO shame in that. Wine connoisseurs here on a moonshine budget 🙄

[@sharimason2977]

I interpreted it as "i want the option to shop at other kinds of stores" nithing wrong with that. I am debt free and i can choose what sorts of stores i shop at

[@rlast4698]

What is with people shopping at thrift shops on these posts and defending them. I have shopped there but is only when im struggling

[@christinebutler7630]

I'm nearly ready to retire and I can count on one hand the articles of clothing I've bought new in my adult life. Everything has been thrifted or from a consignment shop or a clothing swap with friends. Nothing wrong with second hand. When I was in k-12 school, we had uniforms, and everyone sold their uniform to younger kids when they outgrew it, or passed it down to siblings or friends. Nobody had new stuff because hey, it's a uniform, not high fashion. It was sensible thinking.

[@sharimason2977]

She wants the option of buying new. Nothing wrong with that. When u have no debt you have choices

[@christinebutler7630]

They've got a.kid in school. If they move to an apartment (crappy neighborhood, it looks like) I hope they can send the.9 year old to relatives who live in a decent school district. I'd live on Ramen noodles and PBJ to send my kids to good schools and have them grow up in a house.

[@nataliefontane]

It's Canada. Their worst schools are probably still way better than the worst in the US.

[@gracewaterlilly8023]

thats so true, I hope the kid didnt fall into Bad habits or criminal activities

[@juliahorvath4129]

All schools in Canada are good. The discrepancy you’re describing is an American thing.

[@michelegriffin9093]

God, he is so good looking! The eyes! The cleft in the chin!

[@sarrahconley3923]

Should be able to get a practical haircut. Nothing wrong with thrift stores.

[@juditharsenault2131]

I started cutting my own hair years ago. It's short and curly so it's easy to cut and hard to mess up. I had always gone to a hairdresser but started cutting back on expenses and the hair cut went. I stopped going shopping except for food. I stopped eating meat so I save money there. ( Meat makes my joints hurt). I make a wish list now and it's fun doing it but I don't buy the stuff on my list. Usually the things on my wish list come my way for free or next to nothing . It's as if God sends them to me. It's exhilarating when that happens. Way better than just buying it. So I practice patience.

[@leslietrivette91]

The dimple in his chin!

[@constantinehamarakis4003]

I'm hiding it now with all my face hair, lol 😆

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

😂😂😂

[@veronicaarellano-hernandez2209]

😇

[@nataliefontane]

They earn 60K, which was a lot of money back then. When this was filmed in the '00s, They earned the 2022 average for a four-person family in the US. I'm not seeing the poverty.

[@kelitheawellington2711]

I’m

[@janebaker4912]

Irked me when she was like yay when he was told to make more money - girl - you brought the kid that's not his.

[@sarah3796]

😬

[@sarah3796]

Just don’t have children damn it.

[@anniespencer7879]

It's spelt 'irked' seeing as you think you're perfect.

[@ktsterlin9304]

It’s not like she tricked him into raising the kid. He had to sign up for that life too.

[@videofan1010]

They're a family Jane - family can support each other.

[@glitched.spirit-117]

Please do me a favor and, for the love of all that's cute and cuddly, upload videos to more... UTC-friendly times.

[@janebaker4912]

Glitched.Spirit -1 what's UTC?

[@janebaker4912]

I'm so grateful that this is uploaded!!! Whenever it happens

[@glitched.spirit-117]

London Time. Dublin Time. (I live in the EU)

[@queen.kristal8395]

Wow for a man he makes no money 💴 to take care of a family.he isn’t a chef 👨‍🍳 he is a cook.

[@tarat26]

He now owns his own Private company doing lunches for Private schools and is doing really well. A real shame that he had to start so low though.

[@rlast4698]

Geez everyone has to start somewhere

[@tarat26]

@@rlast4698 for sure. Most of those professions start low till you learn the trade. It was the same when I started teaching. Shame they don't start at a higher wage. But he worked his way up. Much respect for them both

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Glad they are doing well.

[@laminage]

​@@tarat26Alot of folks start at the bottom and work their way up. David Geffen started out in The Mailroom at William Morris in the 1960's, and is now one of the most powerful moguls in Showbusiness. Were it not for him, Dreamgirls & Cats may not have mae it to Broadway.

[@daschundloverable]

they should just file a BK

[@barbarawinters646]

Why ain’t SHE working?

[@janeparent9178]

she does work ! she makes more money then him, go back to the start of the episode

[@sharimason2977]

She's a receptionist. That was stated at the beginning