Advanced search

Angela and Gord have had to grow up really quickly over the last few months. They have just gotten engaged because of Angela's unexpected pregnancy. Neither ever having left home, Gord is moving in with Angela into Angela's parents' home, neither having to pay rent. They are planning their weddings (i.e. they are having two different weddings) and for the baby all at the same time, the latter which includes their combined $75,000 per annum income soon being reduced because of Angela's upcoming maternity leave. Both are bringing debt into their marriage, both who spend recklessly. Gord realized the error in his spending ways and has since cut up his credit cards in order to get his $10,000 consumer debt erased. Angela, on the other hand, has not quite given up her spending, having racked up closer to $43,000 in consumer debt despite receiving big ticket items, such as furniture, as gifts. In meeting the couple, Gail sees that Gord likes to play the part of the dumb oaf who doesn't know anything, while Angela is the alpha person in the relationship but who won't live up to her responsibilities despite saying she will. Gord, in particular, is out to prove Gail wrong. Gail has to get them to: plan for the baby, including how to spend wisely and Gord making more money to compensate for Angela's reduced income; have a brainstorming session with friends on how to bring down the debt faster; see how to translate gifts for their wedding into debt management; and bring a power balance between the two into their relationship. Two external issues thrown at Angela and Gord, and Angela's response to one and to another separate issue shows if Gord will be able to prove Gail wrong in her initial assessment of them.