Til Debt Do Us Part

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 - his dream home.

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.