I saw most of this show chronicling a blended family (mom had 5 kids, dad had 2, all together now via Brady family lifestyle) who lost their home and continue to face financial challenges.

I think they represent many families in that they still don't get it. They lost their home and now have a $1700 monthly rent payment they struggle to meet. They looked at 2 other homes to rent for around $1200. Both were deemed too small, yet would have been $500 less per month.

The dad put a gadget on the shower to limit time to 5 minutes. Yet, a daughter was given a car by her grandparents and was shown washing the car. Not sure who will pay for the insurance, or gas.

I saw at least 4 of them with cell phones.

The food stamp card only had $2.xx left om it when another daughter shopped and was embarrassed to use it and then embarrassed to find out the low balance. She chose, out of all the items, to get gravy. The mom had no idea the card was that low and stated that everyone had been using it.

The mom and dad went to a financial planner. There was no mention of child support from the other parents. They admitted spending $500 monthly to eat out (remember they are on food stamps) and $200 on entertainment. The mom buys coffee for herself on a daily basis. When he told her to cut that out, they both carried on how she had to have it to work, and keep with the kids. When he again talked about it, they said she also needed it because she has MS. He told them how much monthly they were spending over what they actually had and gave them a bigger number over a year's time. It was flabbergasting to me. People do have money for what they want to have money for.

They also said they'd sold everything they could to raise money. Maybe, maybe not. They present themselves as a very close knit family, and I think they illustrate how people really do not get it about living within their means. Nor do people get it that they have to actually make changes, and actually pay attention, and actually do with less. Yup, I know it's tv, etc but there were very obvious problems they aren't addressing as they almost lost their rented house.

Anyone else see this?

dl

I saw the first show too and totally agree. I don't think I will watch it again. Not realistic for the the rest of us who are giving up things to make ends meet. All the kids have cell phones and the cars, etc. not to mention the giant house. I am working a part-time job in addition to my full time day job and they are living the life of Riley!

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*******If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
But if life gives you limes....make margaritas!!!*******

You're talking about "Downsizing", right? I saw it and spent the whole time "talking" to the tv

Didn't the husband say he had been making 1.5 MILLION a year "before the economy tanked"????

And didn't one of the sons sell his baseball glove to raise the last $100 for the rent?

Nice enough family, but totally CLUELESS, especially the wife.

I have never heard of this show. What channel is it on?

It does sound like they are accustomed to a certain lifestyle that they are not willing to give up and are convinced things like cell phones and buying expensive coffee are necessities.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

It's on WE tv. I thought it was pretty interesting and plan on watching it tonight.

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

Not only do they still "not get it", but you and I are subsidizing their cluelessness because they are receiving food stamps. Think about it -- does the mom have to choose between buying milk for her children and getting her Starbucks? Do you think if she did, the children or the coffee would win? I have never, ever in my entire life bought coffee at Starbucks, because I am smart enough to save $3 by making my own coffee.

Nothing males me madder than people who cry poor, and then live rich, especially if they are living off the government, or they have borrowed money from frugal relatives who live within their means and (gasp) maybe put some away for the inevitable rainy day.

Did not watch it and do not plan to. One commercial was all I needed to see to tell me to NOT give these people air time.

On most points I'll bet I'd agree with the OP, except one - cell phones.

About 10-12 years ago I noticed the lack of pay phones anywhere. Used to be you could hit ANY gas station and several corners to find pay phones. Now? I can't remember the last time I saw one.

The kids do need a way to get in touch with someone if they get hurt or stranded, but there is NO reason it can't be one of those Tracphone things - for emergencies only, not chatting it up for hours with friends they see 8 hours a day.

I don't have to see that program to know it's a fine example of how incredibly spoiled - and sad - this country has become. Supporting it in any way is the last thing I'd want to do.

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I haven't seen it, but it is "reality" TV, so you know they find the most ridiculous family they can, and then highlight their craziness. If they got a down-and-out family who weren't nuts, who'd watch? There would be nothing to ridicule, which is what reality TV is all about, in my opinion.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

The sad part is that there are many families like this and they are too dumb to understand that they got themselves into this predicament and only they can get themselves out. They are being rewarded for their irresponsibility by being given a tv show and I am sure they are being paid to be on it. Why don't we show a family that lives within their means instead?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I suspect it's because no one would watch it. Or, at least not as many. Which do you think would draw more viewers, Biggest Loser or a reality show about fit people staying fit?

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

Jujubee I totally agree with you and as far as reality shows goes the new one with Sarah Palin Alaska I watched it for the first time last night do not ask me why because I truly do not like that lady, why they gave her a show , and of course the particular subject of last nites show was for her to bond with her daughter and go some sort of fishing. I cannot remember the type of fish, because the show totally turned me off, because I am a animal lover and in this episode the fisherman was telling Sarah and her daughter that once this large fish come on board you must club them really hard in the head and then put a knife into them to bleed them and clearly the daughter looked really uncomfortable doing it. Again bad choice on my part to watch this. Now I know many millions of people fish and make a living off fishing and eat the fish but I do not want to see it either . I also agree all these reality shows have gotten way way out of hand there are way too many for sure where will it ever end its all about the money. Peace. Catherine

At least with Biggest Loser people get that they've been doing wrong and want to change. From the OP's description of what is being shown it doesn't sound to me like this family gets it.

But you are right people seem to love to watch a train wreck. It's human nature to want to see other people acting like cretins.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I do however adore the little couple they are so adorable and so down to earth, the sweetest couple, I dearly admire how they do not let their size get in their way of totally enjoying life and doing all the normal things people are suppossed to do love that show and love their dog Rocky...Sisterwifes what was that totally turned me off what was I thinking I gave it a chance to perhaps let them tell their story, but in the end no way I will not make that mistake again just like Jon and Kate plus 8 terrible and I sincerely hope and pray that their 8 children will not suffer from the circumstances from that reality show.... Peace. Catherine

A thread about a family who has lost their home, etc, and their inability to make real changes to improve their own life. A family who, while on the public dole, can't control their food stamp card and continue to spend, spend, spend. And yet you can work Sarah Palin into it. Nope, you don't have any agenda at all. None. Innocent, that's what you are with your clear thought process, peace and kindness.

dl

I had brought up the idea that "reality" shows aren't very realistic and I mentioned Biggest Loser. I don't think it's unreasonable for someone else to comment on another "reality" show. I think they're all just money-making freak shows manipulated by the producers to make the people in them appear to be even more of a train wreck than they already are.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

Once again DL proved my point you just cannot leave me alone, please do thanks no peace here..........Catherine

Oh Jujubee thanks so much I kinda thought so I had the right to bring up another reality show did not know it was againist any rules thanks so much peace to you always... Catherine

I watched this show for the first time last night. I watched the one where the dad put the timer on the shower. It was so ironic. Only 5 min. showers but daughter could wash her car. If it wasn't so sad that they are clueless, it would have been funny.
Judy