Real Life Money
I Need a Vacation... or a Divorce
Meet the Hansens
At first, life was a storybook for Diane and Adam Hansen; with two incomes and few responsibilities, the couple took trips to exotic locations, dined at romantic restaurants, and put on a lavish wedding ceremony. Now, ten years later, they have three great kids and a lovely home, but tension fills Diane and Adam's lives and even the smallest financial discussion turns into an argument.
Apple of My Eye, Hole in Our Wallet
Meet the Abbotts
As with many families, all is not perfect with the Abbotts. Each month, when the credit card bill arrives, Jessica hides and Chris is distressed. Jessica loves to buy things for Lily and she cannot pass a store without making a purchase, including books, toys, and especially clothing.
Make a Living by What We Get, Make a Life by What We GiveMeet the O'Connors
Michelle and James O'Connor have it good. Michelle works as a realtor, and James is an associate, soon to be partner at one of Madison's top law firms. The couple owns a nice home and has two great kids, Jon and Jocelyn. Michelle and James owe much of their success to their parents who raised them in supportive families and put them through college.
Two years ago, Michelle's parents retired very comfortably and they visit often and travel the world. James' parents envisioned a similar retirement and his father planned to stop working at age 65 with a sizeable pension from the company where he worked for more than two decades. However, the plant shut down and he unexpectedly lost his job the same year James graduated from law school.