By Lori Acken
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Everybody’s been there. You get a little cash in the bank — a tax return, an unexpected windfall, a little dab of financial breathing room — and the universe seems to sense it.
Something breaks down. A kid need braces. And suddenly your cushion-cash is in someone else’s coffers.
On tonight’s episode of Downsized, the Bruces are driven to the breaking point by escalating cash demands — and teaching the triplets to drive. Each parent makes a startling decision that reflects their vastly different ideas about when to save and spend.
When Whitney proves immune to Todd and Laura’s attempts to teach her to drive, Laura decides that driving school may be in order — until the van conks out on the way home from their latest home lesson. Todd calculates how much repairs will cost, throwing the brakes on Whitney’s professional lessons.
In the meantime, a trip to the orthodontist with Danielle reveals that braces are in order, driving the Bruces even closer to the financial abyss that they’d managed to climb out of. When Laura’s friend reveals that she’s hosting a “gold party,” where invitees can exchange their unwanted jewelry for cash, Laura realizes that she’s wearing enough money for braces, car repairs and driving school on her wedding finger, and considers making the enormous sacrifice — dividing the family with her idea.
“We don’t need a ring to make us married,” she tells a completely appalled Todd. “Why don’t you just tear up the marriage certificate, too?” he retorts.
As Laura scrambles to find enough other jewelry to take to the party, Todd arranges a work trade for Danielle’s braces — but the van woes take a horrifying turn. Needing a vehicle to make good on his barter, Todd buys a truck — wiping out the family’s emergency fund and throwing Laura into a tailspin.
Catch the latest episode of Downsized — “No More Emergency Fund” — tonight at 9|8 CT on WE tv.
I THINK YOU ALL NEED TO SLOW DOWN MAKE A LIST WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT AND COME TOGETHER AS A TEAM,EXCEPT WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER.(REFERRING TO THE OLDER TEENS)AS YOU AND TODD JUST SET BOUNDRIES AND STICK WITH IT. BE STRONG AND YOU WILL PULL THROUGH.LEARNING TO DRIVE FOR THE TRIPLETS.NOT IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW. SURVIVAL MODE.