Can Reality TV Save You Money?

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Can Reality TV Save You Money?

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June 15, 2011

I don't watch a ton of reality television, but I guess it is hard to ignore that more than half the programming on network and cable channels alike are reality based. Programs about housewives, chefs, real estate agents, swamp guys, aspiring musicians, pregnant teenagers, and people all living in a house together somewhere. That's true unless you watch hoarders which means those that were living in that house are now buried underneath some rancid lettuce, an old board game of Chutes and Ladders, and a lifetime supply of Good Housekeeping magazines. Doesn't it seem like the reality television boom is out of control? What can we learn from this that can save us money? Here is my official thought. No need to pay for therapy ever again because there are three opinions I have formed from watching these shows.

1) We are all insecure - I truly believe that we all have insecurities of some type. For some people they obsess about their looks. Others are concentrating on how they can keep their weight in check. When you have a partner and/or kids, you are wondering how you can measure up to be the best spouse or parent for your family. It could be that you have money issues. Every person I know or have mentored in my career has been insecure about something. It's not a bad thing, it is perfectly normal. Don't be afraid to expose those insecurities because it will only make you stronger. We get to see unfold it every week on shows like Bethenny Ever After where she slips into frantic schizophrenia on a week to week basis about her weight, her kid, and her business. Being insecure is part of the new norm.

2) All families are dysfunctional - The newsflash is that you aren't the only family with a drunken Aunt and a second cousin who hasn't brushed their teeth in a year sitting at the end of the card table in the dining room during Thanksgiving dinner. You aren't the only person who dreads Christmas because your Uncle is going to tell the same boring story on how he caught a huge striped bass on his last fishing trip. Or it could be that you look forward to that really cool birthday gift from your Grandmother. Socks and a $20 bill. YeeHah! We all have the family drama. We all have the competition with siblings or cousins about whose kid is going to win the state wide spelling bee. We all know who is going to have one too many cocktails at the next family get together and have a blow up. The beauty about the reality televisions shows is that it can make you realize that being dysfunctional as a family is part of the new norm.

3) Everyone has a vice - I have yet to meet someone that doesn't have a vice. It could be that you are workaholic (I have been told that many times). Perhaps it could be that you love to go shopping. Or maybe you freak out if you don't get your daily workout like the boys on the Jersey Shore. One way or another everyone has some type of mini addiction. Having a vice is part of the new norm.

Now that you have learned my three opinions, I can save you the money you would spend trying to figure out what's wrong with you. The reality is that being out of whack is actually the new normal. Crazy families, heated debates, massive drama, and financial struggles are all part of just being a plain old regular human being. That's my couch session for the week. No charge.

Written by:

Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®

Co-CEO and Founder oXYGen Financial, Inc

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Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. https://Bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Kestra IS and Investment Advisor Representatives of Kestra AS may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact Kestra IS Compliance Department at 844-553-7872.

PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. Kestra IS and Kestra AS makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is Kestra IS and Kestra AS liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.