SoWal on Extreme Makeover Home Edition

[Cheering472]

Hope they don't have a cat. If they do, the car now has a very nice large litterbox in the 2 year old's room. He will be giving all his playmates "Tootsie Rolls".

and

 

[Mango]

Didn't they just air a segment filmed in NJ?? Tennafly?

I dunno Allifunn. I don't watch the show that much.

We did watch the show last night and MANgo and I were shocked the ladies suggested a sand box in the child's room. They eliminated one health hazard and then added the sand. If they really had to do it, they could have at least bought one with a lid at the toy store like a turtle I had for my nephews. This way it could be put outside if she wanted to, not under the rollaway portion of the kids bed.

 

[Teresa]

I dunno Allifunn. I don't watch the show that much.

We did watch the show last night and MANgo and I were shocked the ladies suggested a sand box in the child's room. They eliminated one health hazard and then added the sand. If they really had to do it, they could have at least bought one with a lid at the toy store like a turtle I had for my nephews. This way it could be put outside if she wanted to, not under the rollaway portion of the kids bed.

I didn't see the show, but the sand box in the child's room sounds pretty ridiculous...

 

[Paula]

I watched it hoping to see a bit of Sandestin and 30A. Didn't see anything about 30A and only a bit of Sandestin.

I thought the litter box (oh, I mean sand box) was a bit nuts, especially since she's a single mom with 6 kids-- who has time to take care of a sand box. Beautiful house, though. I wonder if the show gives the families money to pay the utilities, taxes, and other bills for such a large house and gas for the huge car. Really, I often wonder how people who don't have much money can afford to keep these things up, even though they are such nice gifts.

 

[peapod1980]

I thought the litter box (oh, I mean sand box) was a bit nuts, especially since she's a single mom with 6 kids-- who has time to take care of a sand box. Beautiful house, though. I wonder if the show gives the families money to pay the utilities, taxes, and other bills for such a large house and gas for the huge car. Really, I often wonder how people who don't have much money can afford to keep these things up, even though they are such nice gifts.

Paula, very good question, and the very reason I can't bring myself to watch the show anymore. Last year, Newsweek did a piece on this very issue. The article said many of the families had been left with outrageous, elaborate elements that were either problematic or outright non-functioning; the production people would essentially rig these things to work for filming but then leave the families with the problems. The issue of taxes was also addressed, primarily from the standpoint of the families who were now left with increased property tax bills from drastic improvements on their homes. The issue then becomes--has a family now been left in a worse position? If I find the article, I'll link it later.

 

[TreeFrog]

Years ago, a coworker's wife was on Jeopardy. She held on for several episodes and won some. When all was said and done, with taxes, travel, and everything else, they lost money.

 

[peapod1980]

Years ago, a coworker's wife was on Jeopardy. She held on for several episodes and won some. When all was said and done, with taxes, travel, and everything else, they lost money.

I found the article I referred to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4933223/

 

[Paula]

Thanks for the information. I figured the people would probably be better off selling the home, furniture, and car, getting something much more moderate (and take the father's memory garden with them), paying whatever taxes they need to pay, and then banking some of the rest.

 

[Indigo Jill]

I found the article I referred to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4933223/
Life is a struggle for joy along the way. May I fight to win the battle on the very spot where I am now. ~ Paramahansa Yogananda
[/quote]

I just read the article...I can't believe that! I have watched the show a few times myself and I wouldn't have ever thought the producers or whomever would set these families up this way. Even if there was a question about the tax liabilities, they shouldn't have pursued the show or at least disclosed it to the families so they could decide if they want to proceed. I just hope their accountants and lawyers are right about the tax loopholes. I am not huge on the whole reality tv thing to begin with - this would really blow the image out of water for me!

Oh, and I love your quote, peapod1980 :clap_1:

 

[Here4Good]

Don't forget the possible increase in property taxes - I know that our county assessor would be on the spot in a jiff, ready to reappraise your lovely new home!

I hadn't thought of the increase in living expenses in the new home the family gets - I'd hate to try to heat a 3500+ house in Michigan in January!