Racking up $52,000 of debt while living rent free in his parents’ basement, 35 year old perpetual student Chris has a lot to learn. Chris’ wife, Yen, is the breadwinner of the family but now they’re expecting a baby. Gail schools Chris for his carefree attitude towards his crushing student loans and finally gets him to feel the damaging weight of his debt. Once Gail helps Yen find her voice, Chris is forced to make tough choices about his future.
DJs Amanda and Sean have been spinning themselves into debt. Even with Sean’s three jobs and Amanda’s bookkeeping skills, these new parents haven’t been able to scratch the surface of their debt. Using credit to buy big toys for themselves and for their daughter, their interest fees have skyrocketed and their romance has flattened. On top of challenging these two to brush up on their budgeting skills and to rekindle their relationship, Gail cranks up the pressure and gives them the job of planning a dance rave party to raise some much needed cash.
Janet and Ian were happily enjoying their double-income-no-kids lifestyle until their first child was born. Both want Janet to be able to stay home full time, but they’re worried about the $20,000 debt they’ve amassed in a year and a half. And then there’s their 40 year old home, which needs some major repairs. It’s up to Gail to show this couple how to manage their money so their house doesn’t become a money pit.
Melinda’s obsessed with image. She buys what she wants, and when husband Brent doesn’t make a consistent income in his freelance job, she makes him give up the career he loves in favour of something steadier. Now, Melinda’s on maternity leave for the second time, and unless she gets her spending under control, the family is headed for disaster. Gail challenges Brent to take charge for the first time – and neither Brent nor Melinda are very happy about it.
Rob thinks that Sharon’s volunteer dog rescue operation only costs them about $100 a month. Sharon thinks Rob’s brother only pays $150 a month in rent. The real numbers are just two of the secrets this couple keeps when it comes to finances. Now, they’re facing more than $70,000 in consumer debt alone – and the stress is almost too much to handle. To come clean and fix the mess they’ve made, Sharon and Rob will have to communicate honestly. But can their relationship handle the truth?
Motorcycle mama Laura and her new husband Craig have been on a spending spree for the past year. New bikes, barbeques and hot tubs have been put on credit. Now the bills are in and it’s an ugly $90,000. With three kids to support, their income isn’t enough to manage their debt payments. To find a way out of this mess, Craig will have to consider selling his country house – the dream home he planned on retiring to. And that might be a price he’s not willing to pay.
When John married Elizabeth, he became a stepfather to her four children. After three years of marriage, they have a new baby together and there’s a lot of love in their house. But after messy divorces, neither of them has wanted to put their new relationship to the test of a money conversation. That’s led their debt to get dangerously out of control. Gail has a blunt warning: Love won’t keep them together, not if the money sucks.
Sharon thinks of herself as the breadwinner, even though she only makes forty bucks more a month than Dennis. Dennis supplements his income with payday loans. Neither has any idea of where the money is really going. In five years, they want to own a house and a catering business, and become parents —big plans for a couple with $18 in their account. It’s a classic case of freshly minted young adults on their own for the first time. Can Gail save them from a financial freefall?
Stephanie and Malcolm pamper their fur babies with organic food, weekly training classes and endless treats. Even Stephanie admits the $1,300 a month they spend on their dogs is crazy. What’s even crazier is that this couple has any debt at all – with a joint income of over $100,000 and no children, Stephanie and Malcolm should be in the clear. Gail has a simple plan to get them out of debt, but it’s going to require making some changes. And that seems to be the one that Stephanie simply won’t do.
Simone is a champion shopper who manages to make 53 shopping trips in a single month. Even though she’s on maternity leave, a luxury car is next on her list. Meanwhile, her husband Frank suspects that his wife’s shopping is the cause of their debt, but he doesn’t want to rock the boat. Gail tries to show this couple where they could end up if they don’t change their spendthrift ways, but will she be able to make an impression?
In three short years, Lorna and Richard met, married, had a baby and bought a house. They won’t even slow down to cook dinner – and order in almost every night. They’re on the highway to a hellish amount of debt. With a surprise second baby on the way, it’s time for these two to get out of the fast lane and start thinking before they spend.
Cheryl and Richard both work long hours. Richard spoils their two kids to make up for it, while Cheryl indulges in pedicures. Meanwhile, they’re on their third consolidation loan and their $40,000 of debt just won’t go away. Gail steps in to show this couple that to get out of debt, they need to get back in step with each other.
Mike and Maud are a happy, go-lucky couple whose laughter covers up their increasing financial problems. Televisions, appliances and pets crowd their home while the bills pile up. And their twin addictions of fast food and cigarettes are taking a toll on their health. Their dreams are going up in smoke until Gail arrives to clear the air.
Between them, Paula and Jermaine earn over $100,000 a year. But somehow, they still can’t afford to pay for daycare. While their toddler son is cared for by his grandparents in another city, Paula and Jermaine fill the hole left by his absence with – shopping. If these two ever want to leave their cramped apartment for a home of their own, they’ll have to say goodbye to the binge shopping and hello to money management.
Single mom Tammy is 35 years old – and still spends her money like a spoiled teenager. When she runs out of cash, she turns to her parents to pay her monthly living expenses. Even Tammy’s 15 year old daughter knows her mom’s a mess when it comes to managing money. Gail shows Tammy the hard truths she has to face up to, including Tammy’s biggest fear – declaring personal bankruptcy.
When Hailea was abandoned by her mother, Sheila saw the opportunity to give her granddaughter the life she couldn’t provide to her own daughters. Now Sheila and her husband Frank are $92,000 in debt and their retirement is in jeopardy. But when Gail gives them some tough challenges, the couple pushes back. Has Gail finally met her match in the headstrong Sheila?
New parents Brandon and Tamara moved in with his parents to save money and pay off bills. But living rent-free in a cushy suburban house complete with a pool hasn’t given them much motivation to become financially independent. And while Brandon loves his two part time jobs, they don’t bring in enough money to support a family. Headstrong Brandon is used to getting his own way, and when Gail gives him some tough challenges, fireworks ensue.
Before boyfriend Curtis came into the picture, Andrea already had a long term relationship – with her horse “Stink.” Now that she and Curtis are living together, the amount of time and money that goes to maintaining her horse is a huge issue. Curtis sees Andrea and her student loan debt as a financial liability, and that’s made him hesitant about committing to their future. Gail has to push these two to make some changes before they can live happily ever after.
High school sweethearts Selena and Eryk finally got back together and married years after they graduated. Since then, they’ve moved across the country and back while Eryk has jumped from job to job. He manages all the money, and he’s done a lousy job of it. Selena’s returned to work, but still doesn’t get any say in how their money is spent. Their financial situation never seems to get any better and their both about to break down from the stress. When Gail steps in, she finds herself in the middle of a domestic meltdown.
Mick works in the film industry - which means he’s either working all the time and making lots of money, or he’s not working at all. He managed to get through the cycles of feast or famine when he was single, but now that he and girlfriend Bonnie have a new baby to support, there’s a lot on the line. Bonnie knows they have to make changes to have the stable family life she really wants, but getting Mick on board is another matter.
Evan and Jay moved back in with their parents after Evan lost his job. Instead of getting back on their feet financially, they’ve created a “man cave” in the basement and are furnishing it with expensive electronic toys. They say they plan to move out but Evan is too timid to step out of his comfort zone. Jay feels trapped and frustrated. Gail has an escape plan, but they’re both going to have to make some changes.
Andy and Evelyn’s impulsive decision making has lead them from one end of the country to the other. Along the way, they’ve had to sell their dream house and still ended up with a whack of debt. It’s cost them more than just money because their relationship is on the rocks. Andy is feverishly working, trying to bring home the bucks while Evelyn broods at home with their two toddlers. Gail tries to balance the scales by putting Evelyn in charge of the family’s finances.
Musicians Valerey and Alex make more than just music together – they’ve also orchestrated a financial disaster. Unemployed, Valerey recently declared bankruptcy but she’s going back to school leaving Alex with all the bills. At 40-something, they're too close to retirement to have zero savings and no assets. Gail's plan depends on them tuning into their financial situation and making more money, but that's a tune that Valerey might not be willing to play.
Gord has always been happy to let his fiancée Angela take the lead while he plays the clown. Now these expectant parents are up to their eyeballs in debt and Angela is counting on family support to rescue her once again. Gord meets every one of Gail’s challenges head on, determined to show Gail that he’s more than a doofus. But Angela has a harder time accepting the changes she needs to make.
Ivy and Carson haven’t stopped to add up the cost of their family-focused lifestyle. Having a stay at home mom and buying organic are important to them, but are they spending too much time thinking about the wrong kind of green? They say they’re worried about their increasing debt but they can justify every bad decision they’ve made. Gail faces an uphill battle trying to get these two to change their ways – no ifs, ands or buts.
Amy and Paul are learning about home ownership the expensive way. Surprises during renovations forced them into a line of credit – and there's still much work to be done. Amy loses sleep from worry but they haven’t curbed their spending. Now they want to add a puppy to the household but haven’t yet figured out if they can even afford it. It's time to get their priorities straight if they ever want to sleep peacefully.
Erica and Andrew live a seemingly perfect life, with a beautiful home and huge wardrobes. But what lurks beneath the surface are mounting debts, unpaid taxes and a growing hostility towards each other. She’s sick of cleaning up the mess he’s made of his business expenses. He‘s sick of her nagging. They both say that Andrew is largely to blame for their financial situation – but does Gail agree?
Newlyweds Tim and Tonya haven’t been able to enjoy their first year of marriage because they’re so worried about their massive consumer debt. At $90,000, their debt is a black hole they see no way out of. Tim’s convinced their condo is the cause of their problems, while Tonya wonders if it isn’t Tim’s career as a fitness instructor that’s sinking them. Gail shows both the error of their ways so they can get back on track financially.
Michelle and Ken got engaged and wanted an island wedding. Their friends and family saved up the money to go – but Michelle and Ken did not. That’s just one example of their champagne tastes. Now the wedding’s on hold while they try and figure out how they managed to get themselves into $70,000 of debt in only two years. Michelle counts “shopping” as one of her many hobbies and that’s the first one to go when Gail arrives on their doorstep.
Sandy and Mike are living in bliss with their new baby. Sandy’s taken a year off work to stay home with the baby, and she spends most of her time shopping. Meanwhile, Mike’s set up their banking so their mortgage is paid by their line of credit. Neither of them have any idea of how deep they’re really in. When Gail gives them the bad news, it doesn’t go over well. Will these two lovebirds get out of the situation Gail calls “the worst ever”?
Andrea and Terry are raising three kids in a house packed full of stuff. Because Andrea would rather buy fun stuff than pay the bills, they’re in danger of losing their home. Gail’s first challenge is to get their finances organized so Andrea and Terry will stop acting like overgrown teenagers and finally start behaving like responsible adults.
Michelle and Zack have only been married for three months and they’ve already reached a crisis point when it comes to their finances. Zack’s decision to become a full time student has left Michelle holding the bag when it comes to their debt. With no plan on how to manage their money, Michelle was scared and angry. Gail gets these lovebirds talking about their plans for a debt-free future.
After 18 years together, Paula and David’s relationship is at the breaking point, and it’s all due to finances. Paula feels exhausted by the stress of trying to manage their money on her own, and she’s frustrated by David’s debt denial. It’s definitely taken a toll on them, and their two young children. Once Gail gives David a wake up call, this couple makes money the focus of their vows when they decide to finally take a walk down the aisle.
High school sweethearts Trish and Tony have three children – and a pile of debt. Tony’s parents bailed them out once before, but only two years later, their debt is bigger than ever. Stay at home mom Trish is miserable in their tiny townhouse and spends money as fast as Tony can earn it. The stress is taking a serious toil on their relationship. Gail has to show them that solving their problems is going to take more than just money – they both need to fess up.
Single mom Favel thought she’d found her knight in shining armour when she met new husband Twain. Twain hates debt as much as Favel does and together, they plan to buy a house for them and their three children. Before they can get there, they need to start cleaning up the mistakes in their pasts. Gail walks them through their credit reports to show them the impact that a poor “R” rating can have on their futures.
Newlyweds Karissa and Karl have everything – a new home, two vehicles and a new baby. Because they make their minimum payments on time every month, they’re perfect credit clients and they have the massive credit limits to prove it. During their short marriage, they’ve used that credit to rack up over $80,000 in debt. Karl wants to focus on paying down the debt, but Karissa thinks they can do it “later.” Will Gail be able to help this couple find the balance between their income and their debt?
Jacqueline and Grant are both huge fans of the band Queen. That’s where their similarities end. Jacqueline is a compulsive shopper who thinks that using coupons will mitigate her out-of- control spending. Meanwhile, husband Grant is completely oblivious to the impact of his wife’s spending – and to the $50,000 of debt she’s racked up. To get their finances back in tune, Gail has to slash their spending and step up the debt repayments.
Beth and Steve are struggling with a modern reality. Beth out-earns Steve and it makes them both uncomfortable. Add in Steve’s larger debt load and it’s a recipe for marriage meltdown. They’re so busy keep track of who owes what and what got paid when that their relationship is suffering. Gail has to show them that when it comes to dealing with debt, they’re a team and there’s no “I” in team either.
Ted is a paramedic, Melissa a cop. Working opposite shifts in high-stress jobs, and caring for two young kids, has left them with no energy to track their money. So, they spend, spend, spend. Totally divorced from their financial reality, the couple underestimates their monthly income yet still overspends across the board. Their healthy joint income is more than enough to comfortably support the family, so Gail’s first question is: “where’s the money going?”
Almost 30 years old, divorced dad Innis has spent the last year dodging creditors and crashing on his mother’s couch. Now he’s got a new girlfriend and he’s so busy spending his cash on her that he hasn’t made a single debt repayment. Innis’s mom and girlfriend want to see him back on his feet and living in his own apartment, but unless Innis steps up to the plate, that’s never gong to happen. Gail is just the gal to give Innis the push he needs.
Only 21 years old, Kristine wants the best of the best. And she’s pretty sure that her husband Adam will start providing those things - as soon as he finishes school. In the meantime, she’s so desperate to show everyone that their teenage engagement wasn’t a mistake that she spends far more than she makes in an effort to appear successful. Adam spends right along with her and between them, they’ve racked up $20,000 of debt in only a year. Gail needs to bring them both back down to reality.
After meeting online, Carolyn and Jason lived large during their engagement, but now it’s time to pay the piper. They were years behind in paying taxes and spending double what they earn – which led Gail to repossess the stuff they purchased on credit. Caroline felt like a failure and they decided to cancel their wedding plans. Can Gail teach these two to be happy with what they have in time to save their future together?
Despite going through a consumer proposal in the past, Jodi and Adrien didn’t change their ways and overspending got them into trouble for a second time around. Given that Jodi was on a reduced maternity leave income and both of them were struggling to make minimum payments, this family was on the brink of disaster. Gail forces them to pay back the dough they’ve already spent and teaches them that budgeting is as easy as baking... a loaf of bread.
Allison is a smart girl, studying for her PhD and wondering how she’s ended up in such a stupid situation. Her husband of only one year, Chris, had a secret gambling addiction that’s landed them both in debt. Now he’s desperate to win back her trust. But Allison isn’t ready to let him off the hook yet. Gail gives this young couple the financial know-how to get back in the black, but whether their marriage will survive is still up in the air.
Marissa loves to spoil her mother, her brother and her mother in law with lavish dinners out and trips to the spa. But her husband David is beginning to see that all these treats are taking a huge toll on their finances. With a serious health problem on the horizon, it’s now or never for this couple to cut the family factor from their weekly spending.
While Dionne was putting vacations on credit using a fly now and pay later plan, Shannon - having “no interest in interest” - ignored his debt and buried his head in the sand. On top of their bad spending habits, they made a huge commitment to their parents to gut and flip a fixer-upper hoping to make a quick buck but their renovation fell behind and the market fell apart. To renovate this couple’s finances and get them interested in interest, Gail pushes them to make some tough decisions.
Steve admits that money problems played a part in the break up of his first marriage. But that hasn’t stopped him from racking up almost $70,000 in debt with his fiancé Bobbi Jo. Their home is beautifully furnished but they have no idea of how much their wedding will cost, let alone how they’re going to pay for it. Gail’s number one goal is to get them through their wedding without any new debt, while helping them pay off the debt they already have.
Rainer didn’t change a thing after his parents bailed him out of $30,000 of credit card debt. Only a year later he and fiancé Faith owe even more. They bought a house but that gives them just one more reason to impulse shop. They know what they need to do to get out of debt – but whether they have the self-discipline to do it is another question. Gail has to show these two that denial isn’t the only route to a debt-free life.
After a long distance romance, Shauna left her home in St. Louis to move in with Nick. But now she’s here, they spend more time fighting about their mounting debt than they do enjoying their beautiful home. Nick’s quick to point the finger at Shauna’s shortcomings, but less enthusiastic when it comes to changing his own bad habits. Gail has to get these two playing on the same team.
Newlyweds Robyn and Paul are freaked out by their mounting debt. What’s worse is that they haven’t had any fun since buying their home. They estimate it will take them at least five years to get out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves – and they figure they’ll be spending most of it sitting on the couch. Gail has a plan to get them back in the black in only one year – but only if they make some major sacrifices for their honeymoon.
Owning a house is just a dream for family-minded Jill and Orson. Stuck with their children in a cramped apartment, they live a life where overdraft protection is not a safeguard but a necessity. Jill's financial management is misguided while Orson stays willfully ignorant. They're both clueless as to why they keep spinning their wheels as they grind from month to month. Can Gail free them and turn their hopes and dreams into ways and means?
Dina and Bill have turned to their mortgage to cover up some of their money mistakes. They even used their home equity to finance their car purchase. Now they’re going to spend the next 25 years paying for a vehicle that will likely only last a fraction of that time. To ensure that Bill and Dina’s teenagers learn from their mistakes, Gail gets the kids involved in her family-focused challenges.
Despite a healthy family income, Lucy and Dave have never been debt free. Lucy manages all of the family’s finances – but she spends it as fast as it comes in. To get this couple back in the black, Gail has to open up the lines of communication – between themselves and with fellow shopaholics. Confronting clutter at home and in their spending habits gets Lucy and Dave back in sync.
Commercial pilot Ed and chic fiancee Brandi live with their heads in the clouds. But a globe-trotting lifestyle of fine wines and the latest fashions has left them with financial jet lag. Despite recent reductions to their incomes, they haven’t curbed their expensive tastes., making Brandi's disproportionate share of household expenses and baggage of student debt all the more glaring. With marriage fast approaching, they'll need to change course or prepare for a turbulent ride.
Mike and Sheila met in a rehab facility and triumphed over their addictions together. But to make up for lost time, they bought everything they've ever wanted, and it's left them with a throbbing debt hangover. And their dreams for the future are totally out of touch with their finances. It's up to Gail to get their spending under control and dole out a sobering dose of reality, or they risk all the progress they've made.
Debt was ripping Melanie and Kevin’s family apart. With a surprise second baby on the way and 15 creditors demanding interest payments, Melanie worries that their financial affairs will kill their relationship for good. After begging for Gail’s help Gail nails them on bad habits, silly spending and unstable incomes. Plumber Kevin has to work extra hard to keep his temper in check so that their prize money and relationship don’t end up down the toilet.
Maggie spent her way into debt and bullied her sister, Janice, into bankrolling her. After the death of Maggie’s husband, her sister came from Scotland to help her look after her three children. Along with taking care of the kids, Janice also took out a loan to cover what Maggie couldn’t pay. These sisters’s interdependence has left them feeling trapped and frustrated. Gail breaks their old habits by getting Janice to stand up to her sister and getting Maggie to start prioritizing what’s important – her family and future.
Alexandria’s secret spending habits pushed Andrew to cut up her debit and credit cards. After consolidating close to $80,000 of consumer debt into a 2nd mortgage, they still went and spent thousands more on credit. And Alexandria wasn’t the only one to blame; Andrew was blowing their credit on big-ticket items like an entertainment system and a motorcycle. Their relationship is cracking under the strain of their mounting debt and if Gail can’t get them to start trusting each other again their marriage is going to hit the wall.
Greg’s gambling has his fiance, Karla, wondering if marriage really is in the cards for them. After catching Greg in a lie about his gambling habit, Karla took the financial reins and has been trying to curb his spending and debt. Looking for an easier way out, Greg thought Gail would give him a break – boy, was he wrong. Will Gail’s challenges get Karla trusting Greg again to make their relationship a sure bet or will he revert to his old ways and forfeit it all?
Debt was ripping Melanie and Kevin’s family apart. With a surprise second baby on the way and 15 creditors demanding interest payments, Melanie worries that their financial affairs will kill their relationship for good. After begging for Gail’s help Gail nails them on bad habits, silly spending and unstable incomes. Plumber Kevin has to work extra hard to keep his temper in check so that their prize money and relationship don’t end up down the toilet.
Leanne hid bills and purchases in cupboards and closets around the house to keep the truth about her spending addiction from her husband Adam. These spending secrets were not only damaging their finances but they were also detrimental to their relationship. Gail puts this family back in touch with reality by opening their eyes to the $141,000 of debt they’ve accumulated, cutting their spending, and prioritizing honesty. When Gail challenges Leanne and Adam to reveal their undisclosed secrets to each other will it strengthen their relationship or cause them to split up?
Michelle and Stephen were so busy planning their fairy tale medieval wedding they forgot to talk about money. Once the honeymoon was over Michelle found out that her Prince Charming was actually a frog with a lot of debt. Although all that debt still didn’t stop Michelle from spending like a princess. Can Gail get these two to stop living a financial fantasy and rescue them from the Debt Dragon?
Sherry met David on vacation in Cancun; now they are married with a baby, and deep in debt. Sherry was so stressed about the money that she cut her maternity leave short. David, on the other hand, is determined to make the most of living in the land of opportunity and he’s not going to let debt stand in his way. Even with their credit cards maxed out and a down payment on their house due soon, he resists Gail’s help. Their $68,000 of debt is the elephant in the room that David refuses to talk about and Gail’s going to make sure he doesn’t ignore it any longer.
Stephanie and Sam are parents of four whose financial priorities are very different. Sam’s need to have the biggest and best of everything has led to financial chaos, as Sam pursues what he calls “the Wow Factor.” Despite the fact that the family has already lost one home, and may be on the brink of losing another, Sam seems oblivious to the toll his actions are taking on his wife and children. While Stephanie tries her best, she’s ultimately left with some very tough choices to make.
Self-employed couple Ingrid and Jamie agree they have a money problem, but while Jamie thinks they spend too much, Ingrid's convinced they don't have enough income, leaving any shortfalls to be filled in with credit. Now they're trapped in a circle of debt. Two children, a mortgage, and mounting bills have stretched Ingrid to her anxiety limit while Jamie is content to sit back and let it be. When they run out of cash for their jars in week three, Gail is left wondering how committed this couple is to fixing their financial mess.
Daniela and Rachel are total opposites in their attitudes towards money. When Daniela gets cash, she’s like a kid in a candy store. Her wife, Rachel says she’d rather go without. What they have in common is over $54,000 in debt. Impulsive spending on big-ticket items with no plan for repayment has landed Rachel and Daniela in serious debt. Gail needs to get these opposites on the same page or there won’t be a happily-ever-after for these newlyweds. Gail challenges them to make a five-year plan that will prioritize their goals of paying off their home and starting a family.
Newlyweds Shannon and Colin started their marriage off in an unusual way – as an engaged couple, they purchased a brand new home and made the mortgage payments for eight months while still living separately in their parents’ homes. Once they moved in, Shannon’s desire for the the lifestyle of a couple twice their age led them to some expensive choices, and now it’s all catching up to them. Amongst other things, the young pair argue about how much debt they’re actually in: Shannon says it’s about $30,000, while Colin insists the sum is only $25,000. Whatever the sum, one thing they can agree on is that “having become accustomed to certain lifestyles in a rent free environment,” they’re now finding it difficult to give up their free spending ways. They admit they’re in way over their heads. Besieged by the escalating payments, they want a way out that won’t cost them everything they (don’t) own. They lack the tools, expertise and perhaps even the will power to manage on their own and they’re desperate for a kick in the pants from Gail to get them back on track.
Dental hygienist Liz and truck driver Will are engaged in a destructive spending game. Control freak Liz handles all the finances while keeping Will on a tight leash, yet still spends a lavish amount on clothes for herself, their baby and their dog. In retaliation, Will takes out costly cash advances.
They've refinanced their home several times to hide debt in their mortgage to the point they now owe more than the house is worth. Getting this couple back on track means reigning in the spending, finding ways to re-build equity in their home and getting rid of the resentment between them. Gail finds way to get them fighting their debt rather than each other.