This post is about a TV show a reader recommended I watch (A big thanks to you, Aims!) called “Til Debt Do U$ Part”.

Til Debt Do U$ Part follows host and financial guru Gail Vaz-Oxlade as she helps couples get out of financial disaster.  She studies the couple’s financial statements and gives them the hard truth; almost every couple is surprised to realize how badly in debt they are when she lays their paperwork out on the table for them to clearly see.  She then educates each couple on how to change their debt situation in one month by giving them steps and exercises to follow.  Although Gail gives couples simple and practical exercises, the exercises are not often easy.  As an example, a few couples have been asked to downsize by selling homes and cars they could not afford.

What’s most interesting to me about this show is that Gail is a firm believer that improving the couple’s relationship will help the couple manage their finances.  Therefore, the last exercise couples tackle in the show is a relationship challenge.  Depending on the couple’s communication style, exercises range from physical challenges like rock climbing and geo-caching, that force couples to work together as a team to other challenges seem simpler like sending couples to massage classes or an intimate dinner where the couples get to know each other again and reconnect.

Til Debt Do U$ Part is a great show and I am glad it was brought to my attention.  I’ll be watching it often and taking down tips from Gail.  Who knows, I might just send in an application myself and be lucky enough to get chosen for Gail to come into my home and address my family’s money issues.

Til Debt Do U$ Part can be viewed on the Slice Network in Canada and CNBC in the US.  Check your local listings for show times.  For more info, visit Gail’s Blog at www.gailvazoxlade.com.