Money (bbc programme)

saidan

did anyone watch Money (couples) on BBC 2?

iplayer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0183pgl/Money_Couples/

i watched on i-player and could not believe the one couple where the woman was moaning at her dh to leave his job which he loved (scientist PHD 34K) and get a higher paid one that he probably wouldn't like eg lawyer.
while she worked part-time in an office with only GCSE's to her name (she did not reveal her income but guessing near minimum wage)

i felt like screaming at the screen - get off your bum love and get some more qualifications and a better paid job if you want more money coming in the house.

disgraceful :mad:............but an interesting insight to other peoples finances

saidan

Plans_all_plans

Did they have children together? That she did most of the childcare for? What was his reaction? Was he resistant?

I think this sort of thing in couples is interesting really. I know that in our marriage, I am a driving force behind my husband. I encourage him to do more and get better qualifications and a better job etc, because I know he's capable of it, but lacks confidence somewhat.

My husband is now studying further and is in a better job than he was 18 months ago. If he was happy in a job that paid reasonably well then I wouldn't push him, but sometimes people need extra encouragement.

I am more than capable of getting a better paid/full time job/extra qualifications myself, but we have decided that our family is better served by me being at home more while children are young. It may be a similar situ with this couple, but I didn't see the programme myself!

January20

saidan, I was just like you! I couldn't believe it and I was getting very annoyed with her. She came across as such a biatch! In my world £34,000 a year is a lot of money! I don't know in what world she lives in? coockoo land, perhaps? I felt so sorry for that poor man, he obviously loves his job, brings home a good wage and what does he get? an ungrateful, moaning, silly wife! It's obvious that, had she not got pregnant so early in their relationship, they might not be together anymore.

I also laughed at the couple where the man said he didn't earn much, only about 120K a year!!!!! And gave his wife £900 per month!!!

gallygirl

saidan wrote: »

i felt like screaming at the screen - get off your bum love and get some more qualifications and a better paid job if you want more money coming in the house.

I DID scream at the screen - 'get off your fat *rse love and get some better qualifications yourself, or get a second job if you're so desparate' :mad:. Silly mare :mad:. I know these programme are heavily edited but even so - her poor hubby :eek:.

As for the unemployed couple...........

I only saw the end, off to watch on iplayer

kj*daisy

I thought the same, thought 'poor sod'. I'm a lawyer and earn just about that anyway, not all lawyers earn stacks of cash and she is being completely unrealistic about him being able to change careers and suddenly earn £90k! She was horrible about him and he quite rightly seemed annoyed. As for her children suffering cos they can't go to private school - get a grip!! She wants to watch he doesn't leave, she'd only get 20% of that £34k then!
But a very interesting watch indeed.

MrsManda

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

I am more than capable of getting a better paid/full time job/extra qualifications myself, but we have decided that our family is better served by me being at home more while children are young. It may be a similar situ with this couple, but I didn't see the programme myself!

My OH and I are similar to yourself. I'm doing a degree with the OU to save my sanity and give me better work prospects later but at the moment we're concentrating on having a family so I'll be staying at home. My OH had been in a job he loves for a few years and decided he wanted to progress so after working his way through his Masters he's now on a 4 year work training programme.
By the time he's qualified the little one will be ready to start school full time and I'll hopefully have finished my degree so my OH will reduce his hours so I can develop my own career Well that's the plan. Plans change and it may work out different But this is what works for us and I guess that's the important thing.
I have friends who I don't understand how they manage without getting frustrated with each other but who equally don't understand how my OH and I work. Every couple/family is different and it's a case of what works for us won't work for someone else.

Tigsteroonie

saidan wrote: »

i felt like screaming at the screen - get off your bum love and get some more qualifications and a better paid job if you want more money coming in the house.

You only felt like screaming at the screen? We were not only screaming, but I even posted on FB that I wished I could punch her Ooooh, I was getting so worked up. They could live quite happily on his income, but she's got ideas and plans that need a higher income - so he has to be unhappy at work? :mad:

And I despaired of the young couple. "We're bored. Maybe having a baby would stop that boredom." (not a direct quote, just my paraphrase!)

January20

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

=
And I despaired of the young couple. "We're bored. Maybe having a baby would stop that boredom." (not a direct quote, just my paraphrase!)

Yes! It's bad when you think changing a nappy will enhance your life!

I felt a great deal of sadness watching them: wasted lives and yet they were so young. No prospect. Very depressing to watch.

MarilynMonroe_2

No, I didnt watch it but thanks for the link, will watch it later x

Having a baby can leave you a bit brain dead lol, they would be in for a shock if they think it would end boredom x

summerday

Glad it wasn't just me who was fuming at that woman! What made it more sad was that her hubby clearly adored his job, it was his passion and the field that he had studied for many years to get into. Why the hell should he go into law or something that would probably bore the pants off him when he's on a perfectly respectable salary?

If the woman is discontent with the family income, I think she should get a second job- she earns way less than he does.

Something tells me that this couple won't be together forever- the way she spoke about him... I guess if they hadn't fallen pregnant 6 weeks into the relationship they may well have decided to go their separate ways long ago.

As to the young unemployed couple- I did think they were sweet how they were so very much in love, but couldn't believe the way they complained about not having enough benefit money to spend yet didn't bat an eyelid about buying lunch in Dominoes pizza, both had tattoos, he smoked...they need to come onto MSE and get some advice I think!

Person_one

January20 wrote: »

Yes! It's bad when you think changing a nappy will enhance your life!

I felt a great deal of sadness watching them: wasted lives and yet they were so young. No prospect. Very depressing to watch.

Its very sad, I know young people who feel that having a baby is the only way they can have an actual 'achievement' to feel proud of.

No job, no qualifications, no interests, but I'm a mum and that's the most important job in the world!

Without the baby it'd just be no job, no qualifications and no interests.