It came down to simplifying!

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Did anyone watch the Dr. Phill show? What did you think of the Economides family and their tips?

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Nothing new, but good tips. I like when shows have people like that, maybe that will be become the norm not a feature on a show!

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I was actually really disappointed in the episode. What these people had to give up was so simple....it was nothing new; something they actually ought to be doing in this economy. I wish it was a longer experiment than just a week (actually it wasnt even a full week since the first lady said they've only been doing the "experiment" for 5 days ).

I actually wish they focused more on the lady at the very end who truly simplified her life by moving her kids to a small house and living more sustainably.

To me, as far as this show went, was a poor attempt at getting the word out about simplicity and frugality. I dont think they really taught people anything that they could take away into their own lives.

And the thing that disgusted me the most, was when they were showing the clip with Suze Orman and people gasped when she suggested they give up a CC for a week....GASPED!!!! The horror....

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I was disappointed as well. It should have been advertised more as an intervention for shopaholics.

I just seen a bit of Dr. Phil. I cannot imagine, soaping up and washing my hair without any water. I usually enjoy my showers and a lot of time use the hottest water that can stand, so I can stay warm for a long time after my show.
My money saving tips, are that I used to buy the individual packs of flavored oatmeal, but I switched to buying a 2 pound thing of oatmeal for $1 and we have been eating it for 3 months at least 3 times a week. This has saved us at least $15.00

Instead of going to far away playgroups, I only go to close play groups.

I am still learning to NOT use my credit card. This is the biggest money saver, is just not being able to charge.

Buying generic. Shopping at Aldis or save a lot then going to Shop n Save.

I didnt see Oprah's but may look it up online.

If people ask what my kids want for their b-days, I will reply with Gift Certificates to Chucky Cheese or Monkey Joes, so we can still go out, but not spend as much money.

I need to also come up with a cheap meal plan and learn how to cook instead of eating out of a box.

I haven't seen either the Oprah or Dr.Phil show but from what I have gathered by your guys reaction that most was hoping for something more out of the show. In many ways, we are in the advanced class of trying (or sucessfully) living within our means and realizing what we need and what we don't need. Most people have lived lives that they were given everything that they wanted just because they wanted it. They have been taught through the media, cultural surrounding and even parents that it's all right to use a credit card. Most people when they become adults do not know how to balance a cheque book, they don't know anything about budgetting, a lot don't even know how to cook simple items that aren't processed foods, or even how to sew a button on to a shirt. To us, these are simple things, or things that we have learned and are now simple because we either live on a tight budget or we have other plans for the extra money that we're saving by living conservatively.
These shows need to show people the things that we already know and prove to people that they can do the same cut backs to. That the world doesn't end just because you have a reduced viewing package on your dish or cable. Or that eating at home can be just as enjoyable and quick as going to have a meal at a noisy restaurant, on top of saving money by eating at home. We have been programmed to want the name brands; that it's a status symbol to have fancy clothes, houses, vehicles, and toys; we've also been programmed that it's acceptable to have not just one credit card, but many credit cards, and LOC,etc. that this is a status symbol to whip out a credit card to pay for whatever your heart wanted at that present moment. We have not been taught to save, we've have been taught to spend. We can't blame the media for all of this, a large part of it is how we were raised. In most households it's taboo to talk about money. My own mother was shocked when I sat my kids down years ago and told them how much I made for an hourly income, how much their father made for an hourly income. Then I had them pick items out of catalogs that they had been pestering me to get for them and we figured out how many hours that had to be worked to buy these toys that they wanted. My kids were shocked, for the longest time they'd ask me how long I'd have to work for something so that I'd be able to buy it, most of the time afterwards they didn't want the item anymore, or at least not as much. Back to my mother, she was shocked that I did that. In many ways she wished that she had done the same thing with my brother and I. She also wished that her own mother had done the same for her, but once again, it's taboo to talk about money unless it's how much money you blew on your latest want.

I wouldn't mind seeing these shows, I think I'd get a good chuckle out of them likely because most of the tips are very logical and something that everyone should be able to think of. I bet these people would have freaked if they had to grow a garden and can or freeze the bounty from it

I was disappointed too - she should have come to this forum and picked a few people that have lived that way for the last year - then her viewers would have seen how it is lifechanging, and learn a few tips...I kind of laughed, as the last 6 months for my family has been what those families lived for only 5 days...and the fact that people bawlked at giving up credit cards just made me angry.

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hi,

I'm new here but have been "practicing" for years now. I didn't see the Oprah clip but I toally agree about that kind of reaction to giving up credit cards. It's why this economy is in the toilet. Too many people buying things (that they didn't need or even want) that they couldn't actually afford--just a general misuse of credit. It makes me sick actually. Especially knowing what my parents went through just to get to this country and give us kids a better life than what they had. Now that I have kids of my own, I understand better the sacrifices and decisions my parents made and have to make hard ones of my own. I'm so glad to have found this website with similar minded people!

I can live without Oprah