I ended up watching it last nite (created the profile "DaddyAndre" with the email of
GiggetyGoo@hotmail.com). Overall, not as bad as I thought it would be. But, with the exception of the couple who seemed to be doing everything right, but had a daughter with severe, expensive medical issues, it was hard to really feel much compassion for the rest of them.
The 42 year old cello player who made $23,000 per year needs to face reality. She chose that profession, knowing that it was difficult, if not impossible, to make much money doing it. She needs to pick up a second job, seriously.
As for that 65 year old couple, they mentioned that they bought the house in 2005 at the peak of the market. In some of the dialog, I think they did mention 2013, but I can't remember for sure. Anyway, in one of the outdoor shots, they showed a Grand Cherokee and a Lexus in the driveway. I think the Jeep was the previous generation though, which would make it a 2005-2010. Couldn't tell how new the Lexus was, as they all look kind of alike to me. But, suffice to say, these people weren't exactly buying cheap cars. And, as others have pointed out, that house is pretty nicely decorated! And it apparently ain't no Sears and Roebuck kit home!
I thought it was interesting how the husband mentioned his own parents, laid off aerospace workers, who lived out their golden years in a trailer park in Irvine (or someplace that started with "I"). He said he didn't want to end up like that...the town was okay, but the trailer, no. Well buddy, you gotta do what you gotta do, and a trailer is better than being out on the street!
As for the 24 year old kid, I got a bit confused about that. I thought it said that his parents, grandmother, and himself were all living in a ~540 square foot apartment? Or were the elders just over to play helicopter parent? Anyway, it's good that the kid is trying to bring awareness to his generation. But $150,000 in student debt?! That's on him and his parents. Can't afford it? Don't take out the loans. Or go to a cheaper state school, or even a community college to start off.
Overall though, I wonder how bad this impending retirement crisis really is going to be? I see so many conflicting articles on the internet. One recent one said that the typical early baby boomer (1946-55 roughly) is on track to replace something like 125% of their income in retirement. And even the leading edge of Gen-X (1965-75 more or less) is on track to replace something like 116%. I can't find that article now, though. And of course, you always have to wonder how they get their data, the spin they put on it, etc. What's that old saying... Figures don't lie, but liars figure?