0:00:02 > 0:00:05MUSIC: "I Need A Dollar" by Aloe Blacc
0:00:05 > 0:00:07# I need a dollar, dollar
0:00:07 > 0:00:10# A dollar, that's what I need... #
0:00:10 > 0:00:14'We live in a world, driven by money.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19'Images of wealth are hugely seductive.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23'I want to find out what money means to women, in Britain, today.'
0:00:23 > 0:00:24# Hey, hey
0:00:24 > 0:00:26# Said I need a dollar, dollar
0:00:26 > 0:00:29# A dollar, that's what I need... #
0:00:29 > 0:00:32'OK, so the car's not really mine. But I can dream.'
0:00:32 > 0:00:34# Well, I need a dollar... #
0:00:34 > 0:00:37'So, I am meeting people from all walks of life.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41'To find out what it's like to be minted...'
0:00:41 > 0:00:42Oh!
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Is that a yacht jetty?
0:00:43 > 0:00:45# Dollar, dollar
0:00:45 > 0:00:46# A dollar, that's what I need... #
0:00:46 > 0:00:48'..how to live for free...'
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Eww, what is that?
0:00:52 > 0:00:55'..and what we're willing to do to get rich quick.'
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- I am going to bag me a rich boy, really.- You will.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01You better watch out!
0:01:07 > 0:01:11MUSIC: "She Said" by Plan B
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Growing up, I think I had quite a comfortable childhood.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I never really thought about money, I was in a bubble,
0:01:24 > 0:01:29I was protected from all of that. It was only much later in life
0:01:29 > 0:01:33when my parents got divorced, and their financial situation
0:01:33 > 0:01:37changed dramatically, that was when I really understood
0:01:37 > 0:01:41the power and impact money can have on your life,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and it was quite scary, actually.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46MUSIC: "Price Tag" by Jessie J ft. B.o.B.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50'So, I am tackling my money demons head-on, by meeting other women
0:01:50 > 0:01:53'to understand our troubled relationship with cash.'
0:01:53 > 0:01:56# It's not about the money, money, money
0:01:56 > 0:01:59# We don't need your money, money, money... #
0:01:59 > 0:02:02'For me, that started at university.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04'I'm in North London for a trip down memory lane.'
0:02:04 > 0:02:06# Ain't about the
0:02:06 > 0:02:07# Cha-ching, cha-ching
0:02:07 > 0:02:09# Ain't about the... #
0:02:09 > 0:02:11I read this book.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14I don't think I remember anything it says, isn't that awful?
0:02:14 > 0:02:17I think I've just erased all the information that I learnt
0:02:17 > 0:02:19and replaced it with Grazia.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Two eggs and chips, and a cup of tea.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29# Price tag... #
0:02:31 > 0:02:33It's so weird to think that it was ten years ago
0:02:33 > 0:02:37that I was a student and eating in places just like this
0:02:37 > 0:02:39because it was all I could afford.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42You know, egg and chips, £1.50.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46You know, as a student it's kind of your lifeline!
0:02:46 > 0:02:49'With loans and credit cards I ended up leaving college
0:02:49 > 0:02:51'with a £12,000 debt.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54'It may be tiny compared to what students today face,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57'but back then, it seemed enormous.' Thank you.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01It was a real shock when university finished
0:03:01 > 0:03:04and I worked out how bad my debt was.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09I think, during uni I just assumed somebody else would take care of it
0:03:09 > 0:03:11and I'd think about it another time.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I just didn't give it much thought.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19It was a real shock when I realised that I had to pay that back
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and actually, the bank wants it back pretty quick.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25MUSIC: "Rich Girl" by Gwen Stefani ft. Eve
0:03:25 > 0:03:28'After uni, I had to work out how to support myself.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32'And for me, that meant the daily grind of nine to five.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34'But what's it like if you set your sights
0:03:34 > 0:03:37'on bagging a wealthy man instead?'
0:03:37 > 0:03:38# If I was a rich girl
0:03:38 > 0:03:42# Na na na na na na
0:03:42 > 0:03:43# See, I'd have all
0:03:43 > 0:03:44# The money in the world
0:03:44 > 0:03:48# If I was a wealthy girl. #
0:03:48 > 0:03:53'I'm in Coventry to meet a girl on a mission to get rich quick.'
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- Hello, nice to meet you. - Ezma, nice to meet you.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- Come in.- Thanks so much.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Why do you want money? What does money mean to you?
0:04:01 > 0:04:04I think money is so powerful, the word money is power.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08I think if you've got money everybody looks up to you.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12What's your kind of career path?
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Sort of to be a wag, maybe,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17but I don't mind if he's a footballer
0:04:17 > 0:04:20or if he's not, I just want someone who's got money,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24who can look after me and make me feel powerful.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I want to be the lady of leisure -
0:04:27 > 0:04:30go out and spend money on myself,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33and I think you need money to do anything these days, really.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36So, what's the plan for tonight.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Tonight, we're going to go out in Leamington, I think,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42because there's a few clubs there that we've heard
0:04:42 > 0:04:44that some football players will be going.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48'So, I'm getting into the spirit
0:04:48 > 0:04:51'and joining Ezma on the prowl for a rich man.'
0:04:51 > 0:04:54MUSIC: "Only Girl (In The World)" by Rihanna
0:04:54 > 0:04:56'First stop, the beauty salon, of course.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58'But I'm in for a surprise,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01'because Ezma doesn't stop at primping her hair and nails.'
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- Vajazzle.- What's a vajazzle?
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Just to get you all ready to party!
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- What is a vajazzle? - It's em...some gem's here,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- we're going to have some gems put down here.- In this area?
0:05:14 > 0:05:15Yes, this area.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- The fanny area?- Yes. - THEY LAUGH
0:05:17 > 0:05:19It all happens before a night out.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21# Want you to make me feel
0:05:21 > 0:05:23# Like I'm the only girl
0:05:23 > 0:05:25# In the world
0:05:25 > 0:05:26# Like I'm the only one
0:05:26 > 0:05:29# That you'll ever love... #
0:05:29 > 0:05:31OK?
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- Ah! - BEAUTICIAN LAUGHS
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Oh, my God!
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Wow!
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- That's amazing!- You like?
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Oh, my God! - BEAUTICIAN LAUGHS
0:05:41 > 0:05:43'As well as the vajazzle,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45'Ezma prepares for a night out
0:05:45 > 0:05:47'with hair extensions, fake tan,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50'lashes
0:05:50 > 0:05:51'and nails. Total cost?
0:05:51 > 0:05:55'200 quid. Which means all of Ezma's wages from her office job
0:05:55 > 0:05:59'are invested on looking pretty for Mr Rich.'
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Do you have any rules of engagement?
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Like, "I won't sleep with you on the first night,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09"I won't kiss you," or are you pretty happy to go with the flow?
0:06:09 > 0:06:11I will always go to their house
0:06:11 > 0:06:14so I know, you know, that they have actually got money
0:06:14 > 0:06:16and it's not just an act.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Then, if they still tick all the boxes,
0:06:20 > 0:06:24then yeah, if it's been a few dates or two dates
0:06:24 > 0:06:26then I will be happy to sleep with a guy.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29MUSIC: "Lipstick Powder And Paint" by Shakin' Stevens
0:06:29 > 0:06:33'With Ezma in charge of my make-up, I get five coats of bronzer
0:06:33 > 0:06:36'and a frosted lipstick to match the hot, pink nails.'
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Do you think you can ever wear too much make-up?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41No, I don't think you can ever wear too much make-up or too much tan.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43# Lipstick
0:06:43 > 0:06:45# Powder and paint
0:06:45 > 0:06:48# Is you is, or is you ain't... #
0:06:48 > 0:06:49Ah-ha-ha!
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- You ready?- Yeah, I'm ready.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59I love it, I think it looks great. I think you look great!
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- I am going to bag me a rich boy, really.- You will.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05You better watch out!
0:07:05 > 0:07:09MUSIC: "Let My Hair Down" by Nelly Furtado
0:07:09 > 0:07:12'To finish - the obligatory blonde extensions.'
0:07:12 > 0:07:15# Baby, I want to let my hair down
0:07:15 > 0:07:17# Baby, I want to let my hair down
0:07:17 > 0:07:20# Baby, I want to let my hair down
0:07:20 > 0:07:24# Bring me something that'll make me jump around. #
0:07:24 > 0:07:26'And, hey presto, I look like Jodie Marsh!'
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Hello, come on in! - ALL: Hi!
0:07:29 > 0:07:32'Before they hit the town, Ezma's friends
0:07:32 > 0:07:35'and self-confessed gold-diggers come over for a drink.'
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Ta-da! - ALL: Oh! Wow!
0:07:40 > 0:07:42GIRL: You look like a little Barbie doll! >
0:07:42 > 0:07:44GIRLS: Yey! Whoo!
0:07:46 > 0:07:49'Before heading out, they make a written plan of action.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52'And yes, they really do this!'
0:07:52 > 0:07:54We're deciding what we're looking for in a guy tonight,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57like, what they're drinking. We've put Cristal down.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01So, they've must be drinking Cristal, what else?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04They've got to look nice, groomed, what they're wearing, that sort.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Big watch. Big, blingy watch.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Can you scan a room and know whether people have got money or not?
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Yeah.- As soon as you walk in I think you can tell
0:08:13 > 0:08:15if the bar's got the spenders.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18It's kind of like a money-dar, like, a radar for money!
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- You sense it.- You sense it when you walk in somewhere, you're like...
0:08:21 > 0:08:24You can smell the Queen's head, somewhere!
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- You can smell money?- Definitely.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29We're so passionate about finding a guy with money
0:08:29 > 0:08:32who's going to look after us,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35that I definitely wouldn't settle for anything less.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Do you think lots of girls want what you want?
0:08:38 > 0:08:40No matter how often they tell themselves,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43"I want to earn my own money," deep down they're thinking,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46"It would be great, not having to work for the rest of your life."
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Everyone wants to be pampered and brought shoes and clothes,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52and if they settle for less they're just putting it on themselves,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54they can do so much better, so do it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57So, cheers to a good night, girls.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- ALL: Whey-hey! - Are you ready?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- I'm ready!- Let's do this.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06MUSIC: "Beautiful Dirty Rich" by Lady Gaga
0:09:08 > 0:09:09Bottoms up!
0:09:09 > 0:09:11# A cute life
0:09:11 > 0:09:12# Soundfematic
0:09:12 > 0:09:13# Pants tight
0:09:13 > 0:09:14# Tuggin' plastic
0:09:14 > 0:09:15# Honey
0:09:15 > 0:09:17# But we got no money... #
0:09:19 > 0:09:21They are focused.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23They walked in that bar and they scanned that room.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26There's no messing about, those girls know what they want.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30They were looking at the floor, looking at trainers,
0:09:30 > 0:09:31and wrists for expensive watches.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34They are highly, highly skilled.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37They can scan a room and instantly pick out whose got money.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39It's extraordinary.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41# Bang Bang
0:09:42 > 0:09:44# We're beautiful and dirty rich... #
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- WOMAN LAUGHS - They're at work. They are at work!
0:09:49 > 0:09:51# We're beautiful and dirty rich... #
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Yeah!
0:09:53 > 0:09:54Whoo!
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- Oh, no thanks.- Why, why not?
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Em, he definitely did not have
0:10:03 > 0:10:05the personality or the money.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10'Three hours and three clubs later
0:10:10 > 0:10:13'and there's no sight of Mr Moneybags!'
0:10:13 > 0:10:16DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
0:10:16 > 0:10:18'And I don't think they're going to find him in here!'
0:10:18 > 0:10:20# The lights
0:10:20 > 0:10:22# The lights
0:10:22 > 0:10:25# The lights, the lights, the lights... #
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Personally, I just don't think...
0:10:29 > 0:10:31that the people they're looking for
0:10:31 > 0:10:34are going to be in the places they're looking.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Rich bankers and professional footballers,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41I just don't imagine are going to come to places like this.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44The girls have dressed up, made a real effort to come out...
0:10:44 > 0:10:49just, they're not in the right places.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52In a way, it's a shame they've spent so much of the evening
0:10:52 > 0:10:55looking for rich guys, when in fact,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58entertainment and enjoyable company is right there.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01They ARE entertaining and enjoyable company,
0:11:01 > 0:11:05they can afford their own drinks!
0:11:16 > 0:11:18DOORBELL RINGS
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Morning. How you feeling?
0:11:20 > 0:11:21OK.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Oh! Thank you.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'Who can blame Ezma for dreaming of a life of luxury?
0:11:28 > 0:11:34'But I'm worried that living off someone else's money could put you in a vulnerable position.'
0:11:34 > 0:11:37I imagine if a guy's paying for you, he'll want you at his beck and call,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40kind of be his slave, a little bit.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Will you mind being that?
0:11:42 > 0:11:45No, I don't think I will mind. If I'm with him
0:11:45 > 0:11:47and I'm happy with what he's buying me in return, then,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50no, I won't mind.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53If you do sign up to this deal and you marry this rich guy,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57and you kind of fancy him but he's loaded, so that's OK,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00what are you going to do in the bedroom?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Is that OK?
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Are you happy to do that?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Are you happy to perform even though you only quite like him?
0:12:07 > 0:12:10If he's buying me nice things I think that takes over.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12You do, genuinely, start to like them
0:12:12 > 0:12:16because they're treating you and you feel like a princess,
0:12:16 > 0:12:18and you know they're going to look after you,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21so you're willing to let them.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25They're kind of in control, and taking you under their arm.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Some women might say, women have fought for hundreds of years
0:12:29 > 0:12:31to get the vote and be able to work,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33and be independent and be empowered,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36and not need a man
0:12:36 > 0:12:39to dish out money when he feels like it.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40How would you respond to those women
0:12:40 > 0:12:44who might say to you, "Don't waste what we fought for?"
0:12:44 > 0:12:48If that's what they want to fight for, then they can,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51but I think it's the man's job to bring in the money
0:12:51 > 0:12:53and the girl's job to look nice.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I have never met anyone so focused
0:12:56 > 0:13:01and so completely committed to money.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03It's extraordinary.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07I've never met anyone who would rather have money than love.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09I don't know,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12I just, I think she's selling herself short,
0:13:12 > 0:13:16but she really, really doesn't agree with me.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19She's literally crossing her fingers and hoping for the best
0:13:19 > 0:13:21but what if it doesn't happen?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25'I really hope that Ezma finds her prince charming
0:13:25 > 0:13:30'but I want to meet someone who's decided to make their own millions.'
0:13:30 > 0:13:36MUSIC: "We Have All The Time In The World" by Louis Armstrong
0:13:43 > 0:13:45'And where better to come
0:13:45 > 0:13:49'than the swanky Sandbanks area of Poole, in Dorset.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52'At £850 per square foot,
0:13:52 > 0:13:56'property here is more expensive than Tokyo or Paris.'
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- Hello!- Hi!
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- Nice to meet you.- And you.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06This is really beautiful.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- Stunning here, isn't it? Lovely. - It's amazing.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16What's allowed you to afford the champagne lifestyle?
0:14:16 > 0:14:20I'm an inventor, I invented My Carry Potty,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23it's the world's only leak-proof potty.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Amazing, amazing!
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- You've made your money from potties? - That's right.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Is earning your own money as a woman important to you?
0:14:32 > 0:14:37Very important, very. Always since a child, since I was 14 I had a job.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I've always wanted to have the lifestyle.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45I love all sorts of different, lovely things and I'm very girlie,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49and I know you're not going to get that from working for somebody else,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53and I'd never ever want to get it from marrying somebody with money.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55'Amanda lives with her husband
0:14:55 > 0:14:58'and three kids, in a beautiful, six-bedroom house.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02'But already she's got her eye on bigger properties in the area.'
0:15:02 > 0:15:05# I wanna be a billionaire
0:15:05 > 0:15:08# So frickin' bad
0:15:08 > 0:15:10# Buy all of the things
0:15:10 > 0:15:12# I never had. #
0:15:12 > 0:15:17'She's keen to show me one house in particular she's intent on buying.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19'Current value, eight million pounds.'
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Wow! Oh, my God!
0:15:23 > 0:15:24CHERRY GASPS
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Oh!
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Amazing, isn't it? - That is ridiculous.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33The view and everything - stunning.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- Is that a yacht jetty?- Yeah.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Wow, how much do you think a kitchen like this would cost?
0:15:42 > 0:15:46I'd say a hundred thousand plus for a kitchen like this.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- A hundred thousand pounds for a kitchen!- Yeah.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52My goodness!
0:15:52 > 0:15:59- Wow!- Oh, my goodness, that is absolutely amazing!
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Can you see me behind here, sipping my champagne?
0:16:02 > 0:16:05There is a lift here to all the floors.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06- There's a lift?!- Yes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Oh, wow!
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- Look at this!- Look! Amazing.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- That is the house that potty built? - Yes.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Do you think having somewhere like this, would change you?
0:16:23 > 0:16:25No, no, not at all, it will just...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28you know, you'll get that amazing feeling inside
0:16:28 > 0:16:32that you've achieved it yourself by creating something from nothing,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36so, you know, it would not change me whatsoever.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39It'd make me very happy. I'm happy now, but this is just a lovely thing
0:16:39 > 0:16:43to wake up to every day and share with your friends and family.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48MUSIC: "Beyond The Sea" by Bobby Darin
0:16:48 > 0:16:50'So, she'll have a jetty.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53'Now all she needs is something to park there.'
0:16:53 > 0:16:55# Somewhere
0:16:55 > 0:16:58# Beyond the sea
0:16:58 > 0:17:01# Somewhere waitin' for me... #
0:17:01 > 0:17:04CHERRY GASPS
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Wow, this is amazing, isn't it?
0:17:07 > 0:17:09This is definitely not shopping for shoes.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12No, it's that little bit more expensive.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Little bit more! How much is this boat?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- £170,000. - (£170,000!)
0:17:17 > 0:17:21It's all fun, it's all part of living your life and enjoying your money.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24'I am certainly impressed by Amanda's drive
0:17:24 > 0:17:27'but can this relentless quest for money
0:17:27 > 0:17:29'really make her fulfilled?'
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Do you think that this makes you happier,
0:17:33 > 0:17:35this wealth?
0:17:35 > 0:17:39I would say money does definitely make you happy
0:17:39 > 0:17:43and there might be people out there going, "Oh, it doesn't, it doesn't,"
0:17:43 > 0:17:46but it makes me happy, and it makes my family happy.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48What have you had to sacrifice to get where you are today?
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Being, probably, a full-time mum,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53I found that quite difficult.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I've got three children
0:17:55 > 0:17:57and not being able to go to assemblies
0:17:57 > 0:18:00because I'm in London or in meetings, or away,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and I had to go away, like, five times last year
0:18:04 > 0:18:06and you constantly miss your children,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and having to say goodbye to them.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12So, that's a big sacrifice to me,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16is missing out on some of the things my children have done, definitely.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Do you think that it's been worth it?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Yes, because I'm doing all this for my children.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25That's another reason for me to keep going.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Who's that? Who's that?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- Do you want to put monkey to bed? - Yeah!- Yeah?
0:18:33 > 0:18:36I think Amanda is amazing,
0:18:36 > 0:18:41and she is a real inspiration to women to earn their own money,
0:18:41 > 0:18:46but...the fact that she's had to sacrifice time with her children
0:18:46 > 0:18:49just shows you can't have it all,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51and as a working mum myself, I really relate to that,
0:18:51 > 0:18:56you can't have it all, you can't be the perfect, perfect mother
0:18:56 > 0:18:59and the perfect woman in business.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03It's really hard finding that balance
0:19:03 > 0:19:06and at the end of the day, something's got to give.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09MUSIC: "Diamond Rings" by Chipmunk
0:19:09 > 0:19:13'I may not be comfortable making the same sacrifices for money
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'as Amanda has, but I want to know what it feels like
0:19:16 > 0:19:18'to have her buying power.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22'So, purely in the name of research, I am seeing what it's like
0:19:22 > 0:19:25'to go clothes shopping, if money was no object.'
0:19:25 > 0:19:26# I've been talkin'
0:19:26 > 0:19:28# About my new diamond rings
0:19:28 > 0:19:30# Because my new diamond rings
0:19:30 > 0:19:31# There the... #
0:19:31 > 0:19:35'Obviously, I'll have to give back my loot at the end of the day.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39'But what does it feel like to pick up whatever I fancy?
0:19:39 > 0:19:41'And how much can I spend?'
0:19:43 > 0:19:45How much is that?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47That's £6,320, please.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52# I've been talkin'
0:19:52 > 0:19:53# About my new diamond rings
0:19:53 > 0:19:55# Because my new diamond rings
0:19:55 > 0:19:57# They're the... #
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Ooh, yeah!
0:20:00 > 0:20:03'If money is a drug, then I think I'm getting high.'
0:20:04 > 0:20:08I'm, like, in a shopping frenzy. I feel like I want everything,
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I've gone really grabby!
0:20:10 > 0:20:11I just want it all.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- Thank you! Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16# I've been talkin'
0:20:16 > 0:20:18# About my new diamond rings
0:20:18 > 0:20:20# Because my new diamond rings
0:20:20 > 0:20:21# They're the... #
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- How much is the bag?- It's £920.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29I can definitely see myself with this bag, I mean this bag and me
0:20:29 > 0:20:32we're like soul mates, we're meant to be together.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36£2,610.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- Bag it up, baby.- OK.
0:20:39 > 0:20:40# And if you're looking at me
0:20:40 > 0:20:42# You gonna be looking at them
0:20:42 > 0:20:43# Cos they're the swagger
0:20:43 > 0:20:45# That you see in my walk
0:20:45 > 0:20:47# And if you're listening to me
0:20:47 > 0:20:49# You gonna be listening to them
0:20:49 > 0:20:51# Cos they're the slick
0:20:51 > 0:20:53# That you hear in my talk
0:20:54 > 0:21:00SINGS: I love it, and I love shopping, so much!
0:21:02 > 0:21:04That'll be £2,455, please, OK?
0:21:08 > 0:21:09# And if you're listening to me
0:21:09 > 0:21:11# You gonna be listening to them
0:21:11 > 0:21:13# Cos they're the slick
0:21:13 > 0:21:15# That you hear in my talk
0:21:15 > 0:21:18CHERRY SIGHS
0:21:20 > 0:21:22So, I was only shopping for a few hours this morning
0:21:22 > 0:21:25and I spent over ten grand.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29And it was...so easy.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34I didn't even feel like myself, I felt frenzied with desire.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36And then when you get home
0:21:36 > 0:21:40and you think, "Hang on a minute. Just calm down."
0:21:40 > 0:21:43You do almost lose your mind,
0:21:43 > 0:21:49the power of money does turn you a bit crazy, I think.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52'So, now I've experienced money's drug-like high,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54'I think I need a bit of a detox.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59'One group of people who try to escape the money trap are freegans.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02'It's an alternative lifestyle which favours
0:22:02 > 0:22:05'community living, recycling and bartering.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08'It's common for freegans to scavenge for food in bins.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11'A practice that's called Dumpster Diving in the US
0:22:11 > 0:22:13'and skipping in the UK.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15'Now this, I have to see!'
0:22:28 > 0:22:31'I've come into the heart of the city of London,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33'to meet freegan, Katherine...'
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- Hello!- Hi, Cherry! - Hi, Katherine.- Nice to meet you.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40'..who's going to give me a crash course in scavenging for food...
0:22:40 > 0:22:41'out of rubbish.'
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I'm a bit nervous, should I be nervous?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47You're going to have to cope with what it's actually like
0:22:47 > 0:22:50to be finding food that you might have to eat out of the bins,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53which isn't always, it's not always that easy.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57I found it difficult to start with to just get over that...
0:22:57 > 0:22:59.. I think it's just, you know, it's evolutionary wired in
0:22:59 > 0:23:02to think of garbage as garbage and not food,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04and that's what's probably right,
0:23:04 > 0:23:09but, I think when you see how much food there is being thrown away
0:23:09 > 0:23:11that's what you'll find disgusting.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Do you know where to go and when to go?
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Well, I've been doing this for quite a long time, so...
0:23:17 > 0:23:19yeah, I guess I have a map
0:23:19 > 0:23:24of where there are bins and shops that throw stuff out
0:23:24 > 0:23:26and what time...
0:23:26 > 0:23:29..and yeah, I think the first one is in about a few minutes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Oh, my God, OK, well, let's go!
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I wouldn't want to miss our first bin drop!
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- No, quite right.- I'll follow you.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36Oh, God, here we go!
0:23:41 > 0:23:43'Katherine squatted for two years
0:23:43 > 0:23:46'but now lives in a rented flat in East London.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48'But she still goes skipping nearly every day.'
0:23:51 > 0:23:53'Just minutes into our mission
0:23:53 > 0:23:56'and could this be our first taste of success?
0:23:56 > 0:23:59'It's bin time outside an up-market bakery.'
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Oh, God! It really is like actual rubbish,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- it's an actual...- Rubbish bin, yeah.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08..an actual...garbage area
0:24:08 > 0:24:12or, if you're Katherine, it's a mountain of possibility.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Talk me through what we do here,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16cos, it just looks like rubbish, to me.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19OK, well, it's all rubbish and quite a lot of it is, like this.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22GLASS CHINKS That's full of glass.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23We're not interested in that.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26You can feel it from the outside, feel that one...
0:24:26 > 0:24:28RUSTLING
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- ..that feels like bread. - That feels breaded.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35Why don't you pick up that one and I'll pick up this one. CHERRY SQUEALS
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Go over here a bit.- Oh, my God.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- Look. We've got loads of bread. - My God! There's so much in here.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- Some gourmet mini croissants. - Oh, my God, there's so much!
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Look.- Mmm, yeah, that's not really a great sign.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- Mostly bread. - Your bag looks much more delicious
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- and there's no cleaning products in there.- Yeah.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- My God, there's like... - You've got, em... yeah.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57- So will you just take some?- Yeah.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01'Since all these goods were on the shelves only minutes earlier,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04'Katherine assures me I won't get food poisoning.'
0:25:04 > 0:25:08CHERRY LAUGHS
0:25:08 > 0:25:10This is so hilarious!
0:25:14 > 0:25:16'Nearly £14 billion worth of food
0:25:16 > 0:25:19'is thrown away each year, in the UK.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21'As long as the rubbish is on the pavement,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23'skipping is legal.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25'But many food retailers discourage the practice
0:25:25 > 0:25:28'and some spoil the food with chemicals
0:25:28 > 0:25:30'to stop skippers like Katherine, from taking it.'
0:25:30 > 0:25:34MUSIC: "Gotta Keep Walking" by Willy Mason
0:25:36 > 0:25:39'As day turns into night, the temperature plummets.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41'And my feet are starting to kill me!'
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Nothing good here, all right. Move on.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- No?- No, I don't think so. - Oh, well. Next.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57We've been walking around for a couple of hours,
0:25:57 > 0:25:59it's freezing cold.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02We haven't found that much stuff.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06It's quite a tough way to find your dinner.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09# She said we've
0:26:09 > 0:26:11# Gotta keep walkin'
0:26:11 > 0:26:12# Keep walkin'
0:26:12 > 0:26:15# She said we've
0:26:15 > 0:26:18# Gotta keep walkin' on... #
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Oh, my God! Here we go!
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- Oh, look.- Eww, what is that?
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- It's a sack of soup!- A sack of soup!
0:26:26 > 0:26:28CHERRY MOANS
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- It's probably fine to eat, it's still warm.- Still warm!
0:26:32 > 0:26:35I'm sure it's fine to eat, it's just disgusting! I'd never take it.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Is that where you draw the line?
0:26:37 > 0:26:39I just find it so revolting in the bag,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43it's like liposuction fat or something. It's so horrible!
0:26:43 > 0:26:44# Well, you know I need you
0:26:44 > 0:26:46# To come back to me, honey
0:26:46 > 0:26:48# Because my garbage can is overflowin'... #
0:26:48 > 0:26:51'But, after three hours our luck changes.'
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Hello.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- Oh, my gosh!- Jackpot.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00- Hello. There's everything.- What's that, about a week's worth of food?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03That is incredible! On a normal day, would you take all of this?
0:27:03 > 0:27:06No, I'd just take enough for myself, enough that I think I will eat,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09cos almost certainly someone else will come along after us.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14And, why would I take more than I'm going to possibly eat.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17It's like you can have anything you want and it's free!
0:27:17 > 0:27:20There must be a hundred quid's worth of food in here.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- So, shall we take some? - Yeah, take what you fancy.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25I'm going to go for a chicken...salsa wrap.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Oh.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28- You can share it with me!- OK.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33This is really, really good stuff! I can't believe this is in the bin.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37They're really nice. I mean, this stuff's expensive.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40That's 30 quid's worth of food...
0:27:40 > 0:27:42..free.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44It's mad!
0:27:44 > 0:27:47MUSIC: "One Man's Rubbish" by The Beautiful South
0:27:47 > 0:27:49'Over our scavenged picnic,
0:27:49 > 0:27:54'I want to find out why Katherine has chosen this extreme lifestyle.'
0:27:54 > 0:27:57# One for the memory
0:27:57 > 0:28:00# One for the road
0:28:00 > 0:28:03# One man's rubbish
0:28:03 > 0:28:07# Is another man's gold
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Why do you want to live for free, I mean, obviously, it's free
0:28:10 > 0:28:12but are there any other reasons?
0:28:12 > 0:28:17The whole reason why I decided to see if I could live without money
0:28:17 > 0:28:21was because I wasn't particularly happy
0:28:21 > 0:28:23in my life, before.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26I was sort of in my mid-20s
0:28:26 > 0:28:29and I guess on paper I was doing great - I had a nice job,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32I rented a nice flat with my sister...
0:28:32 > 0:28:35..and I guess I just wasn't enjoying all that stuff
0:28:35 > 0:28:38as much as I thought I should.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42But I think I prefer my life now, even though I'm more skint.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45I think for one thing,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49when you're always having to work to pay the rent,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51to buy your food, pay the bills,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54actually, that really restricts the things that you can do.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56What's living without money taught you?
0:28:56 > 0:29:01I hope that what I would remember is actually, you know,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03living without any money -
0:29:03 > 0:29:08and I did live on less than a pound a day for a couple of years -
0:29:08 > 0:29:10I didn't really miss the money.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14Most people say money gives you freedom, freedom of choice,
0:29:14 > 0:29:16and I do believe that,
0:29:16 > 0:29:19but Katherine's definitely challenged that.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21For her, it's liberated her.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26'Back at home, I start to wonder
0:29:26 > 0:29:30'whether a life without any money could really be bearable.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34'I've set myself a mission to live entirely without cash
0:29:34 > 0:29:37'for two days, whilst having a mini holiday.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39It means having to couch surf and hitchhike.'
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Here we go. No wallet, no cards.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47No cash, no travel card.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Oh, God, I feel so naked!
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Wow, all my safety nets, gone.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55Interesting.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58MUSIC: "Moneybox" by Eliza Doolittle
0:29:58 > 0:30:00# Don't need your moneybox
0:30:00 > 0:30:02# Cos I got lots and lots
0:30:02 > 0:30:04# Of what I need right here... #
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'I've found somewhere to couch surf online,
0:30:07 > 0:30:12'but my host's live in Norwich and that's 116 miles away.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15'So first, a few words of hitchhiking advice from Katherine.'
0:30:16 > 0:30:19First step, stand by the side of the road with your thumb out.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21The second step is to...
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- Thumb out. Check. - KATHERINE LAUGHS
0:30:25 > 0:30:27..look nice and trustworthy.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31Look trustworthy.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35Do I smile or will that make me look kind of crazy?
0:30:35 > 0:30:36You absolutely have to smile.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39So, it's more...
0:30:39 > 0:30:41..then....
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Well, I don't know! Try it both ways. See what works for you.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47See what kind of face you've got...
0:30:47 > 0:30:50The damsel in distress look has never really worked for me.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54'I wouldn't recommend you try this yourself.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57'I certainly wouldn't do it without a camera crew with me.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00'Katherine's safety tips include, not to travel alone,
0:31:00 > 0:31:04'and to text the number plate of cars picking you up to a friend.'
0:31:04 > 0:31:05Always be polite.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- You'll be fine.- Ready.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10MUSIC: "Hitchin' A Ride" by Vanity Fare
0:31:10 > 0:31:14'It's 11.30 and my journey starts on the outskirts of London.'
0:31:14 > 0:31:16# A thumb goes up
0:31:16 > 0:31:17# The car goes by... #
0:31:17 > 0:31:22'I'm not sure how far my jolly sign and big smile will carry me.'
0:31:22 > 0:31:25# Hitchin' a ride
0:31:25 > 0:31:26# Hitchin' a ride... #
0:31:26 > 0:31:28CAR HORN
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Oh, I got a beep! I got a beep.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33'And after 30 minutes I am starting to despair.'
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Would I rather just pay six quid for a bus fare?
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Well, let's see how it goes.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45# Hitchin' a ride... #
0:31:45 > 0:31:47'But then, I get a break.'
0:31:47 > 0:31:49# Hitchin' a ride
0:31:50 > 0:31:53'Car salesman, Angus, takes pity on me.'
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Do you often pick up hitchhikers?
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- No.- Really?
0:31:57 > 0:32:01I used to hitchhike myself, when I was a young lad.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05I know what it's like to sit or stand on the side of the road, waiting,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07cos years ago, it was more acceptable, wasn't it?
0:32:07 > 0:32:10Yeah. I can't believe you picked me up.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13'But the high of being in a nice, warm car...!'
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Bye!
0:32:15 > 0:32:19'..is soon followed by the low of the windy kerbside, again.'
0:32:19 > 0:32:21# Hey, mister, where you headed
0:32:21 > 0:32:24# Are you in a hurry? #
0:32:24 > 0:32:29I much prefer being in the car than by the road, definitely.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33'And this time it takes an hour before my next lift comes along,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36'in the shape of engineer, Bob.'
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- You're very lucky, it was a spontaneous thing, there.- Really?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Thank you so much, cheers, bye.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48We were here, and now we're here.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51So, we're halfway, we're halfway. That's really good!
0:32:51 > 0:32:56MUSIC: "Cars" by Gary Numan
0:33:04 > 0:33:05# Here in my car
0:33:05 > 0:33:07# I feel safest of all
0:33:07 > 0:33:09# I can lock all my doors
0:33:09 > 0:33:12# It's the only way to live in cars... #
0:33:12 > 0:33:16'But by now I am starving, and without any cash
0:33:16 > 0:33:21'to get snacks from the service station, I only have one option.'
0:33:28 > 0:33:30Whaa! Flies! Aargh!
0:33:32 > 0:33:33Eww!
0:33:33 > 0:33:34'Maybe not.'
0:33:38 > 0:33:43I've now been doing this for five hours. Five hours!
0:33:44 > 0:33:46God, I could be in Yemen!
0:33:47 > 0:33:51'Back on the road, and by now, I've travelled over 90 miles.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53'And there's no time to rest.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55'The chatty drivers are looking for company
0:33:55 > 0:33:58'and intelligent conversation.'
0:33:58 > 0:34:00I often wonder if people are inherently good
0:34:00 > 0:34:03and if altruism actually exists?
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Do you think there's such a thing as real altruism?
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Thank you, so, so much!
0:34:10 > 0:34:13'But, at last I make it.'
0:34:19 > 0:34:23I'm here! I am in Norwich!
0:34:23 > 0:34:26I made it with a cardboard sign,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29a map and a cheesy grin.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31It's taken me six hours.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33I am knackered.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37'It's couch surfing etiquette to offer your hosts a small gift.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42'But without any cash, I have no idea how I am going to do this.'
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- It's a chocolate shop! - CHERRY LAUGHS
0:34:50 > 0:34:52I found a present for the guests!
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I feel quite excited again, it is like finding treasure.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59'So, armed with my recycled present,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02'I meet my couch-surfing hosts.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05'I really hope they're not axe murderers!'
0:35:05 > 0:35:08- Hello!- Hello! - Hi, are you Andrea?- Yeah.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- Nice to meet you.- This is Tom.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- Nice to meet you. - THEY LAUGH
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- Oh, it's really warm in here.- Yeah. - I'm so happy.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- I've brought you a present.- Aww.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22You didn't have to do that!
0:35:22 > 0:35:25No, apparently, it's couch surfing etiquette,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28but honestly, don't get too excited.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- Aww.- Amazing!
0:35:34 > 0:35:38Oh, you guys have the best fake excitement EVER!
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- BUZZING - 'As well as a free bed for the night,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45'I get a home-cooked meal and even a glass or two of wine.'
0:35:45 > 0:35:48- That is really tasty.- Aww.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50- Thank you so much.- You're welcome.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52- SQUEAKS:- Thank you so much! - THEY LAUGH
0:35:52 > 0:35:57'But after another three hours of lively conversation, I am beat.'
0:35:57 > 0:36:02It's definitely rekindled my faith in the kindness of strangers.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06My hosts have been really generous, they've cooked me a meal, and now...
0:36:06 > 0:36:08I have a lovely room to sleep in
0:36:08 > 0:36:11and I haven't paid a penny, it's amazing.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13# Today I don't feel like
0:36:13 > 0:36:15# Doing anything
0:36:17 > 0:36:20# I just wanna lay in my bed... #
0:36:22 > 0:36:25'Next morning, it's an early start,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28'with a free yoga lesson from my host.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30'And a hearty breakfast.'
0:36:33 > 0:36:35- Bye! - ANDREA AND TOM: Bye!
0:36:35 > 0:36:37# Oh, today I don't feel like
0:36:37 > 0:36:40# Doing anything... #
0:36:41 > 0:36:45'And despite a very long wait, I hit hitchhiking jackpot.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48'Nurse, Therese, and her son,
0:36:48 > 0:36:50'give me a lift all the way back to London.'
0:36:50 > 0:36:53- Thanks so much, I can't thank you enough.- You're welcome.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Bye, guys. Have a good day, bye.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01Oh, my God! They've literally taken us all the way back to London
0:37:01 > 0:37:04I'm in London, baby!
0:37:05 > 0:37:07I can't believe it.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11I've had food and I've slept somewhere
0:37:11 > 0:37:14and I haven't...spent any money,
0:37:14 > 0:37:18no cash has passed my hands.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23Amazing, and I've met some incredible people!
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Extraordinary.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29'So, my freegan experiment was a great adventure
0:37:29 > 0:37:33'but I don't think I could live like that for long.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36'And for many people, life without money is not a choice.'
0:37:44 > 0:37:46'I've come to meet mum, Claire,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49'in Merthyr Tydfil, in the south of Wales.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52'The area is one of the most deprived in the UK
0:37:52 > 0:37:57'with almost 30% of children living below the poverty line.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00'And Claire's children are amongst them.'
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- Hi! Come in.- Hi, Claire.- All right?
0:38:03 > 0:38:04Good, thank you.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06'Claire's day starts at 5.30 in the morning,
0:38:06 > 0:38:10'when she squeezes in chores before work.'
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- How many children do you have? - Seven.- You've got SEVEN kids?
0:38:13 > 0:38:16Yes, I've got the full range, I've got older children -
0:38:16 > 0:38:19she used to be a stroppy teenager but she's not now -
0:38:19 > 0:38:21and then I've got the younger ones.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24'Claire is the sole breadwinner for their family.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26'Husband, Dave, is a full-time dad
0:38:26 > 0:38:27'but doesn't claim benefits.
0:38:27 > 0:38:33'And the disability allowance they once received for their autistic son, Callum, has been cut,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36'leaving a lot of pressure on Claire's shoulders.'
0:38:36 > 0:38:38So, how much do you bring in a week?
0:38:38 > 0:38:42A week with the child tax is roughly about,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46I'd say about, 100, 150,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48- which sounds a lot.- Wow.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52No, it doesn't, you've got seven kids, it doesn't sound a lot.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Well, it's nearly £40 a week, dinner money
0:38:55 > 0:38:58so that's gone straight away before we even pay any other bills.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Oh, my goodness. How do you make that work?
0:39:01 > 0:39:04We just have to account for every singly penny.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Do you worry about bills?
0:39:06 > 0:39:11Constantly, it's all the time. You know, every day you're thinking -
0:39:11 > 0:39:13especially if you get unexpected bills -
0:39:13 > 0:39:16it's constantly thinking, "Am I going to have the money for this?
0:39:16 > 0:39:20"Am I going to be able to pay that?" So, it is really hard work.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Most weeks, I'd say on a Sunday, we haven't got a penny,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26we literally have not got any money left at all.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- See you later.- Bye, Dave. Ta-ra.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34'Claire works as a Learning Support Assistant
0:39:34 > 0:39:35'at a school, seven miles away.'
0:39:35 > 0:39:37This is my usual route. THEY LAUGH
0:39:37 > 0:39:41- Like a valley, isn't it?- Yeah. - Are you all the way up there?
0:39:41 > 0:39:44'As the family can't afford a car,
0:39:44 > 0:39:47'Claire has to take two buses in to work to make the hour-long trip.'
0:39:47 > 0:39:50It's basically just waiting now for my chauffeur to turn up.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05'The Gurnos Estate is one of the largest council estates in Wales.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10'Healthy life expectancy is low, and suicide rates are high.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12'The estate and the area have become known
0:40:12 > 0:40:15'for a lack of employment opportunities,
0:40:15 > 0:40:17'after the closure of its coal mines,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20'and nearly a third of the people here, claim benefits.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25'Despite the cards being stacked against her, Claire is determined to work.'
0:40:30 > 0:40:32- What sound do you need, Tyler? - "Th."- "That".
0:40:32 > 0:40:36Cordy, what have you got? Have you got a "Th?"
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- Olivia?- "Ch."
0:40:39 > 0:40:43- You've got a "Ch" sound?- Yes. - Yeah, well done!
0:40:43 > 0:40:45You seem to really love your job?
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Absolutely adore it, best thing in the world.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Coming in to somewhere and taking over the care
0:40:50 > 0:40:54of somebody else's child, that is really privileged.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56You know when you see them reach a goal?
0:40:56 > 0:40:57It's like, wow!
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Yeh! Well done!- Well done!
0:41:02 > 0:41:04You've saved all those cats. Right, now, sshh!
0:41:04 > 0:41:08If you didn't work and you were claiming full benefits
0:41:08 > 0:41:11and disability allowance, how much could you bring in a month?
0:41:11 > 0:41:13I'd say...
0:41:13 > 0:41:17..roughly about what we're on, perhaps a little bit less,
0:41:17 > 0:41:20but you wouldn't have the added...
0:41:20 > 0:41:22payments, like the dinners
0:41:22 > 0:41:26and things like, you would get a lot more help on top.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30If you added that all up, you'd potentially be bringing in double
0:41:30 > 0:41:31what you're earning now.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- Possibly, yeah. - So, why go to work, what is it?
0:41:34 > 0:41:39It's given me my dignity back and my self-respect.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43I'm proud of myself. A couple of years ago, I couldn't have done that.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45I'd look in the mirror and thought, "You're worthless."
0:41:45 > 0:41:48When have been the hardest struggles?
0:41:48 > 0:41:51One of the hardest was when Dave had to come out of work,
0:41:51 > 0:41:54we really were struggling financially
0:41:54 > 0:41:56and there'd be times when we had no money for nappies.
0:41:56 > 0:42:01You just feel useless, totally and utterly useless.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03You think, "Why on earth was I put on this world?"
0:42:03 > 0:42:08What was the lead up to those circumstances?
0:42:08 > 0:42:12I was pregnant with my first child with Dave, my husband,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15got to the hospital, and they couldn't find the heartbeat.
0:42:15 > 0:42:20They just sort of looked at me and said, "Baby dead, nothing I can do,"
0:42:20 > 0:42:22and just walked off and left the midwives.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28(What?!)
0:42:29 > 0:42:31I had to go through...
0:42:31 > 0:42:34..what came naturally, which was labour.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37And...
0:42:38 > 0:42:41..it was difficult,
0:42:41 > 0:42:46and we just sat and, you know, held her and talked to her
0:42:46 > 0:42:50and...
0:42:50 > 0:42:52..it doesn't go away.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56I mean, I couldn't cope, but I had to because of the children
0:42:56 > 0:42:57but I knew...
0:42:57 > 0:43:00for Dave, it just totally devastated him.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05'Dave fell into a depression after the loss of their daughter
0:43:05 > 0:43:07'and couldn't return to work.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11'The family faced financial ruin and almost lost everything.'
0:43:11 > 0:43:15So you were dealing with horrendous, horrendous trauma,
0:43:15 > 0:43:19- bills coming in, neither of you working...- Yip.
0:43:19 > 0:43:25the stigma of potentially signing on to benefits
0:43:25 > 0:43:29- and having to still be parents... - Yeah.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31..all of that combined?
0:43:32 > 0:43:36And obviously, we had to go through the funeral, as well,
0:43:36 > 0:43:40and when it came, I thought I was doing so well
0:43:40 > 0:43:45and then, Dave had to carry her...
0:43:45 > 0:43:49to the grave, and that just...
0:43:52 > 0:43:55..totally finished me.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12Claire and Dave have been through a nightmare
0:44:12 > 0:44:14and the problem is, is that...
0:44:14 > 0:44:18when you've got no money, no savings,
0:44:18 > 0:44:21no rich friends and family to bail you out,
0:44:21 > 0:44:25there's no safety net, there's no leeway,
0:44:25 > 0:44:28the rent still has to be paid, the bills still have to be paid.
0:44:28 > 0:44:33They don't stop coming, so you just have to pull yourself together
0:44:33 > 0:44:35and get on with it. Which, when you've dealing with
0:44:35 > 0:44:38what they've had to go through,
0:44:38 > 0:44:40I really don't know how they've done it.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45'The next day, I join Claire on a shopping trip.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49'As a special treat, she's taking the boys on a picnic.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52'But she's working to a tight budget,
0:44:52 > 0:44:57'which means walking the five miles into town to save on bus fares.'
0:44:57 > 0:45:00How much have we got to spend today and what do we need?
0:45:00 > 0:45:04Right, my budget for today is £15 to spend on things for the picnic.
0:45:04 > 0:45:06'Money is desperately tight
0:45:06 > 0:45:10'and overspending on as little as a pound could leave Claire
0:45:10 > 0:45:13'short for electricity and other essentials.'
0:45:13 > 0:45:15We can't have sweets today, OK?
0:45:15 > 0:45:18Because we haven't budgeted for those, right?
0:45:18 > 0:45:23But when mummy gets paid we'll treat you to some. Is that OK?
0:45:23 > 0:45:25'There is no chance of going off-list
0:45:25 > 0:45:28'and I'm amazed at how the boys really understand this!'
0:45:28 > 0:45:31- OK, what do you say, boys? - Thank you.- Good boys.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34- SHOPKEEPER:- No problem, thank you. - Ta-ra, thank you.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36I'm so impressed with Claire's budgeting.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39I'm definitely not this careful.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42I definitely don't go to the cheapest shops -
0:45:42 > 0:45:46there's no way I would have got this much, for my money, the way I spend.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56'I'm really interested to find out from Claire
0:45:56 > 0:45:59'just how important money is to her.'
0:45:59 > 0:46:02- Do you think money brings you happiness?- No, I don't.
0:46:02 > 0:46:04Best things in life are free.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07I think the more you've got, the more you want,
0:46:07 > 0:46:10you just get more and more greedy.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14If you've got children, that's going to be passed on to them.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Are the boys losing out from not growing up with money?
0:46:17 > 0:46:18No, I think they're gaining.
0:46:18 > 0:46:22I really think that they're better people for it,
0:46:22 > 0:46:24their morals,
0:46:24 > 0:46:27they understand that they can't just walk into a shop
0:46:27 > 0:46:29and pick up an Xbox.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32Do the boys feel hard done by?
0:46:32 > 0:46:35I don't think so, but I make them aware.
0:46:35 > 0:46:36I say, "Look how lucky you are.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39"Your mum and dad love you more than anything in the world."
0:46:39 > 0:46:44They seem so content. They do.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46I think they are, I think they're really happy.
0:46:46 > 0:46:51You never know what's round the corner. You need to appreciate every minute together
0:46:51 > 0:46:54and just make the most of it
0:46:54 > 0:46:56and always say you love the person you're with.
0:46:58 > 0:47:02- Boys, what have you found today? - I found an old lock.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04You found an old lock? Wow!
0:47:04 > 0:47:08- And I found pottery. - You found pottery.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11- I found an old gas pipe. - An old gas pipe?
0:47:11 > 0:47:14And you found a pram wheel?
0:47:15 > 0:47:18- Guys, you're like treasure hunters, was that fun?- BOYS: Yeah.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20Bye.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23- Bye guys!- You going to give a hug, before we go?
0:47:23 > 0:47:26Do I get a little hug? Oh!
0:47:26 > 0:47:29- Bye!- Bye!
0:47:29 > 0:47:30So nice to meet you.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33- What a treat! Aww!- Bye!
0:47:33 > 0:47:36Four hugs! That's amazing!
0:47:37 > 0:47:38All right, bye, guys!
0:47:38 > 0:47:40Have a lovely day!
0:47:40 > 0:47:42- Bye!- Bye, Claire.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50'There's no denying that Claire still faces
0:47:50 > 0:47:52'a daily struggle to make ends meet.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54'After all they've been through, I thought Claire
0:47:54 > 0:47:57'would be more reliant on money.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59'But the loss of a child has forced Claire to address
0:47:59 > 0:48:02'what really matters, and for her, it's not money.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05'Other women I've met might feel differently,
0:48:05 > 0:48:09'but I really admire how she's been able to cope, so well.'
0:48:09 > 0:48:13Claire is one of most inspiring people I've ever met in my life.
0:48:13 > 0:48:18She has so many reasons to... go on benefits
0:48:18 > 0:48:22and to sit and feel sorry for herself but she doesn't.
0:48:23 > 0:48:28Meeting her has definitely made me rethink...
0:48:28 > 0:48:31the importance of money in my life.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35'Growing up in one of the country's most deprived areas,
0:48:35 > 0:48:38Claire has managed to make the best of her situation.
0:48:38 > 0:48:42But how different is it, when you've lived the high life and lost it all?
0:48:42 > 0:48:46# The best things in life are free
0:48:46 > 0:48:47# But you can give them
0:48:47 > 0:48:49# To the birds and bees
0:48:49 > 0:48:51- # I want money - # That's
0:48:51 > 0:48:52# What I want
0:48:52 > 0:48:54# That's what I want... #
0:48:54 > 0:48:58'I am in one of the richest London boroughs to meet Birgit Cunningham.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01'With a name like that she has to be posh.'
0:49:01 > 0:49:03- Hi! Nice to meet you! - How's it going?
0:49:05 > 0:49:08Growing up, were you upper class?
0:49:09 > 0:49:13I think, I think I'd say we were upper class,
0:49:13 > 0:49:17mostly because of the schooling, we always went to private schools...
0:49:17 > 0:49:21- I got myself into Roedean and... - What's Roedean?
0:49:21 > 0:49:25Roedean's a boarding school, it's a bit like Eton but for girls,
0:49:25 > 0:49:29and it was all these international girls and princesses
0:49:29 > 0:49:32and ambassadors' daughters and it was just stratospheric,
0:49:32 > 0:49:34you know, big money
0:49:34 > 0:49:37and I just, this was a world
0:49:37 > 0:49:41I was unaware of but I suddenly thought, that knew what I wanted.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44It was the early '80s and I'm like, "This is what I want."
0:49:44 > 0:49:47I wanted to be in the super-rich crowd.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52And there was nothing that was going to stop me!
0:49:52 > 0:49:56'After a stint as a yacht broker, Birgit moved to Hollywood
0:49:56 > 0:49:59'and became pals with some serious A-listers.'
0:49:59 > 0:50:03I lived with Julia Verdin and Elizabeth Hurley
0:50:03 > 0:50:06and we dressed, we were decked in
0:50:06 > 0:50:09Dolce & Gabbana and Versace,
0:50:09 > 0:50:12and Gucci and Chanel,
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Elizabeth was always wearing Chanel.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16I have dated some of the richest men on this planet.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19I'm a serious stud in that department.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21I managed to get Kevin Costner.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23- What? You dated Kevin Costner?- Yes.
0:50:23 > 0:50:27- Can I ask a really, dirty question? - BIRGIT LAUGHS
0:50:27 > 0:50:29What was he like in bed?
0:50:31 > 0:50:34I can't say anything but I can smile.
0:50:34 > 0:50:35Really?
0:50:35 > 0:50:39- I so want that to be true because he's so dreamy.- Oh, yeah, my God.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43So you grew up rich, loads of money, very wealthy.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47Yes, definitely grew up very wealthy.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51What's life like for you, right now?
0:50:51 > 0:50:55Well, I think karma's taken a big...role in my life -
0:50:55 > 0:50:58I've gone from being a snobby bitch
0:50:58 > 0:51:00to being a...
0:51:00 > 0:51:03ending up in a council flat on a council estate
0:51:03 > 0:51:05with absolutely no money to my name,
0:51:05 > 0:51:08single mum, on benefits.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11# I left my soul down a hole
0:51:11 > 0:51:14# Now I'm signing on the dole
0:51:14 > 0:51:16# And there ain't no more
0:51:16 > 0:51:19# Money coming my way... #
0:51:19 > 0:51:22'After six fast living years in Hollywood,
0:51:22 > 0:51:24'Birgit returned to London and got pregnant.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27'But the relationship with the father didn't work out.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31'Her parents were no longer in a position to support her
0:51:31 > 0:51:36'and Birgit found herself alone and signing on.'
0:51:37 > 0:51:40So how did that feel,
0:51:40 > 0:51:44that first moment, going from the glamour
0:51:44 > 0:51:48of your Hollywood, LA lifestyle to signing on?
0:51:48 > 0:51:52It was just such an eye-opener of how most of the world lives, actually,
0:51:52 > 0:51:55so, I'd really fallen from my tower
0:51:55 > 0:51:59and I was... I felt it was more
0:51:59 > 0:52:02a case of... You know when you're driving around London,
0:52:02 > 0:52:04and you look at one or two buildings and you think,
0:52:04 > 0:52:06"God, who lives there?"
0:52:06 > 0:52:10"Who lives in that tower block?" Now I know.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12'Birgit gets out her photo album
0:52:12 > 0:52:15'to give me a glimpse of her former life.'
0:52:15 > 0:52:17That's you and Liz Hurley, where's that?
0:52:17 > 0:52:20That's doing the Cannes Film Festival.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22Hugh Grant took that photo, actually.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26Oh, my gosh!
0:52:26 > 0:52:29- Did you take these? - Yeah, I took those pictures.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32Does it not hurt to look at these photos and think,
0:52:32 > 0:52:35"I used to date Kevin Costner, in LA?"
0:52:35 > 0:52:38I have to say, it did take me a long time to get over that one.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41Who are these guys in this picture?
0:52:41 > 0:52:43That's Zac Goldsmith, MP now,
0:52:43 > 0:52:45Jemima Goldsmith,
0:52:45 > 0:52:47Tara Palmer-Tomkinson,
0:52:47 > 0:52:49Elle Macpherson, and me.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Those were the days that I knew people,
0:52:51 > 0:52:54That was right before I became pregnant, actually.
0:52:56 > 0:52:58And that was when it kind of ended?
0:52:58 > 0:53:02Yeah, pretty much, that's what I fell from.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09'But with a bump down to reality it's school closing time,
0:53:09 > 0:53:11'and we have to pick up her son, Jack.'
0:53:11 > 0:53:15- Hi, I'm Cherry. Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17'Tired of the stigma of being on benefits,
0:53:17 > 0:53:20'Birgit wants to return to work,
0:53:20 > 0:53:23'although paying for childcare means she won't be any better off.'
0:53:23 > 0:53:28# I haven't got no money... #
0:53:28 > 0:53:32'After the essential bills are paid, Birgit lives on £62 a week,
0:53:32 > 0:53:36'which has to cover food, clothes and entertainment.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38'So haircuts come courtesy of mum.'
0:53:38 > 0:53:41This is a whole new approach to hairdressing.
0:53:41 > 0:53:44- You see, this is child cruelty! - Child cruelty!
0:53:44 > 0:53:46BRIGIT LAUGHS
0:53:46 > 0:53:49She's doing a great job, Jack. You look great!
0:53:49 > 0:53:51'Birgit naturally drifted apart from her
0:53:51 > 0:53:54'celebrity friends, but even close pals
0:53:54 > 0:53:58'seemed to vanish when she signed on.'
0:54:00 > 0:54:04How did it make you feel when certain friends disappeared
0:54:04 > 0:54:06because you'd lost your money?
0:54:06 > 0:54:09Um...
0:54:09 > 0:54:13it was hard, but what's harder is bumping into them.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16And em...
0:54:18 > 0:54:20This is bringing a lot back.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23I'm thinking of one occasion when - I mean, I'm still in Chelsea,
0:54:23 > 0:54:26I'm still on my old haunting ground,
0:54:26 > 0:54:30and I have had people cross the road when they've seen me coming...
0:54:33 > 0:54:36..just to avoid that whole, sort of,
0:54:36 > 0:54:38"Oh, good God, there's Birgit."
0:54:38 > 0:54:41That really... That really hurts.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44BRIGIT SIGHS
0:54:46 > 0:54:50I really hate these snobs who cross the road when they see me coming
0:54:50 > 0:54:53because they don't want to deal with a poor person.
0:54:53 > 0:54:55You know, God forbid!
0:54:55 > 0:54:57I think it serves me right,
0:54:57 > 0:55:02I think it's karma and it's been very humbling and I probably deserve it.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04I've had the high life,
0:55:04 > 0:55:07I've had the Lear jets, I've had the yachts,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10I've had the hairdressers and the manicures and pedicures
0:55:10 > 0:55:13and massages and the designer dresses.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16Em...I've had more than most people
0:55:16 > 0:55:22but now...I think I'm seeing real life and real people.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25# Didn't I give it all
0:55:25 > 0:55:28# Tried my best... #
0:55:28 > 0:55:34Her life is so completely, completely different now
0:55:34 > 0:55:39but, you can see that she stills hankers after the old times.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43It must be an incredibly difficult thing
0:55:43 > 0:55:46to have experienced and then let go of.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53'So, I've experienced the buzz of being filthy rich
0:55:53 > 0:55:56'and what it's like to go cold turkey.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59'But what have I really learnt?'
0:55:59 > 0:56:02It almost doesn't matter how much money you've got,
0:56:02 > 0:56:06money can play a very important role in your life,
0:56:06 > 0:56:09it can make you happy and it can make you sad
0:56:09 > 0:56:12and it's really important that it sits in the right place
0:56:12 > 0:56:13in your priority list.
0:56:13 > 0:56:17And that is what I will try and teach Coco,
0:56:17 > 0:56:20is that, it doesn't matter if she doesn't have millions
0:56:20 > 0:56:22but the money that she does have,
0:56:22 > 0:56:24look after it, manage it well
0:56:24 > 0:56:28but other things are more important, your friends and family
0:56:28 > 0:56:31are essentially the most important thing in your life.
0:56:31 > 0:56:35Have monkey? Yeah!
0:56:35 > 0:56:38CAR HORN
0:56:46 > 0:56:48CHERRY SHRIEKS
0:56:48 > 0:56:51Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:51 > 0:56:54E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk