Comments on: I’m Going to Try to Watch “Maxed Out” Today

By: DNP

DNP — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:52:53 +0000

I actually just watched this last (rental from Netflix).
Basically paints the credit card industry and the politicians in their pockets as the evil-doers.
Scared me enough that this morning I requested my free annual credit reports from the 3 titans (experian, transunion, equifax). Fortunately, everything looks good, although equifax would allow a download for either my or my wife (due to some bogus reason, which I DON’T believe after viewing Maxed Out!)
One thing they also pointed out: it’s harder to make ends meet for just the basics (house, car, food, utilities) today that it was in the 70s for a family of four, and that’s with very prudent spending habits.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:23:46 +0000

I picked up the book at the library and have gotten a couple of chapters in. So far there hasn’t been much on the consumer it’s been more about the history of the credit card. I plan on watching the movie (thought that’s what I was getting at the library, didn’t realize there was a book) at some point.

By: Moneymonk

Moneymonk — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:31:35 +0000

I rented it the other day and I liked the commentary Elizabeth Warren gave. The movie shows both sides the consumer and the bill collector –I was impressed by the movie.

By: TFB

TFB — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:14:11 +0000

I watched the movie and I reviewed it on my blog. If you are looking for personal responsibility, you will be disappointed. I don’t think every cardholder should be required to understand every fine print. But the general concept of “credit card debt costs money” shouldn’t be too far fetched, just like “smoking is harmful to one’s health.” Yet people choose to accumulate credit card debt just like people choose to smoke.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:56:04 +0000

You really don’t know why the people in the story are in debt or heading into foreclosure, because the movie never tells you. We can assume they overspent, etc, but those are just guesses.

By: Customers Revenge

Customers Revenge — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:56:42 +0000

Personal responsibility is one thing, but the credit card companies definitely try to screw the consumer. The fine print is all about the credit card company and very little about the customer. It takes a pretty strong, and pretty smart, person to be financially responsible when everything around you is all about "spend every dime and more!" Yes we should all be responsible and kids should buck peer pressure and everyone should say no to their boss when they are asked to do something a little immoral, etc, etc.