Shopoholics - has really riled me tonight for some reason

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

A half-wit in her twenties obsessed with slebs and their bags - in debt to the tune of £14k despite only earning £12k a year. Is getting 2 experts and a wole prog dedicated to helping her. They will come up with some budgets for her, deal with her ccj's and whatever childhood trauma led her to spend thousands she hasn't got on bags and shoes.

It makes me want to cry when I think about my mum widowed in her 40's suffering from depression. struggling to pay bills and ending up in court for rent arrears. She was never selfish or extravagant just trying to manage on a tiny income. Where was her dedicated team of experts?? No she had one well meaning and overstretched Citizens advice bloke.

THere are so many people more deserving and in need of help and really I don't know what has struck me tonight about spendaholics... I think I am just sick to the back teeth of the constant supply of no-marks stuck in a cycle of conspicuous consumption ... that is all

[Bushnels]

I find htis prog really interesting. It can be baffling I agree but we are a very comples species and for some reason shopping seems to fill a void in people's lives.

I'm not sure why we have become such consumers but we have (some more than others) and our whole bloody society revolves around it.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

In my annoyance at the programme totally effed up the thread title - It is of course spendaholics and I am very stupid.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

But I usually do find the programme quite interesting - but the vacuous youth still living at home sponging of mum and dad etc. I do have trouble sympathising with... and there are many spendaholics episodes centred on such individuals. Occasionally there is someone more troubled - and you may think I am glad they sorted them out.

Still think - Jayne and co. should volunteer down the CAB as well to even things out! Actually get the feckless youth to do that to - get them to learn about real money worries!!!!

[lizziemun]

This programme annoys me too. Why do they only do 20 somethings who have got into debt buying cr*p. It always comes down to something their parents did, so to excuse the fact that noone taught them about the value of money.

I think this type of programme would have effect if it was about people who got into debt through life, and how they can get out of it.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

precisely Lizziesmum - and I speak as someone who was never taught the value of money by my parents. But - never got tempted by blatant consumerism - it is possible.

[morgansauntie]

bigmouthagain your original post really struck a cord with me because I have been in a similiar position to your mum and can really sympathise. 10 years ago I had to give up work due to serious ill-health (depression) at the time I had just bought my first home and had taken out loans to buy furniture etc (nothing extravagant but I was starting from scratch) while working I could easily afford the repayments then suddenly I'M getting £200 a month benefit. Did a tv programme and a team of experts help me to sort things out no I did all on my lonesome even though I was ill. It's taken time but 10 years down the line the 5 figure sum is now under £2000.

Are 20 somethings with similiar spending patterns and debts watching this programme and learning something I doubt it but please feel free to prove me wrong?

Also agree with lizziemun but would showing people who got into debt through 'life' make such interesting viewing perhaps I'm just cynical

Also IMO I think that in someways the format is tv by numbers because freaky eaters is made by the same company and follows a similiar format which IMO is a bit gimmicky - sorry rant over

[morgansauntie]

Really sorry bigmouthstrikesagain I got your name wrong in the heat of the moment

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Well done Morgans Auntie for getting yourself through a horrible time. And you can take all the credit at least

I am glad to report that my mum is (currently) clear of debt - thanks to the fact that she had been paying far too much tax over the last decade - although she could only claim back 6 years it still came to several thousands It took me a few weeks of going through bank statements and form filling but it was well worth doing.

I am sure that the people who should be taking note of spendaholics are to busy buying up ebay too watch...

[morgansauntie]

Really sorry bigmouthstrikesagain I got your name wrong in the heat of the moment (now my computers on a go slow so sorry if this appears on here twice)

[morgansauntie]

Thank you its been hard but worth it - I still have my home and my furniture (even though I still can not work) and most importantly my life, sanity and peace of mind, now going to have a bath with a bubble bath that I felt guilty spending £16 of my birthday money on but its fab

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Even spendaholics wouldn't deny you that luxury ...

[elkiedee]

This is something I hadn't thought of before, interesting. But the programme's focus is on helping people who've got into debt through their own foolish behaviour. For those who've got into debt because they simply don't have enough money, and don't have bad habits, the Spendaholics team are unlikely to be able to offer themselves as saviours.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Yes but - I don't think I was being entirely fair or rational in my assessment of the programme. In that the overspending yoof are in need of help to rid themselves of demons - granted.

But the thosands of women who are dealing with rent arrears and the like can end up end up in prison due to debt. They probably also have horrendous childhoods to get over, depression, abuse etc. etc. this is why they are vulnerable to getting into debt and are equally in need of emotional and practical support.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

apologies none of my posts are eloquently put tonight - overtired I think.

[elkiedee]

I agree with what you're saying though it's not a point I had thought of before. But what makes good TV isn't helping the most deserving people, after all, what can Jay Hunt and Ben whatsisname offer to someone whose real problem is just poverty/low pay/ relationship breakdown? They're not likely to be able to offer a fix which is the basis of a TV lifestyle programme - the plot of such programmes is that the subject just needs the advice of an outside expert.

[morgansauntie]

Perhaps I was a bit harsh yesterday therefore I apologise to all those twentysomethings who do have real and genuine reasons for overspending I wouldn't deny anybody help because I know how hard it is to come by. We all deal with our problems in a different way mine just wasn't spending. IMO these people have guts (well most people on reality tv shows do) to go on tv for help whether its for their homes, dogs, spending or children and end up being criticised by someone who doesn't even know them. Unless off course they are just doing it for the fame, publicity and fortune and I accept the fact that my problems couldn't have been solved in an hour. I'm just saddened by the fact that IMO help and support is hard to find and genuine poverty is still a reality but thats for another thread and maybe a more heated discussion which isn't my style

[elkiedee]

This is a novelty for mumsnet as far as I can tell - two of you almost apologising for having an opinion. I think bigmouth and morgansauntie make really good points.

[bouncingball]

Agree with elkiedee. Don't think you've got anything to apologise for morgansauntie.

[morgansauntie]

thank you all very much I was in a situation where I wasn't allowed to express an opinion or it didn't count or led to confrontation this has now changed for the better but i still find myself apologising old habits die hard I guess