While there was some juicy editing to keep the whole thing zipping along, a couple of things struck me: firstly, it was the first time that they had ever gone grocery shopping using a shopping list!! Secondly, the presenter drove two different BMW's during the programme which could suggest that it was made over a fairly long period of time to not much avail by the end.
Its struck me that the couple were only interested in the good times and wanted those to continue even if they were put under some sort of financial constraint. (I think they even said this?). They had decent after-tax salaries coupled with a 'low' rent meant that they had plenty of disposable income that they had no previous incentive to save. If I was the teacher concerned, I certainly would not be happy with my own financial performance to date as a business teacher!
The presenter was good and tried to explain clearly to his audience some practical financial matters, particularly how and what banks look at in loan applications and how credit card debt works. It might have been useful to give a short recap of these points at the end to reinforce them for the learning viewer. Although I'm sure he will have a financial advice type book out shortly to coincide with the series!
Overall though, like most money issues programmes, it all comes down to whether the participants have much common sense, a sense of the value of money or the motivation to make things better. Unfortunately all three seemed to be sorely lacking here...
