Not surprisingly, the comments section to my story on former "Eight Is Enough" actor Willie Aames' money troubles is filling up with notes of compassion and support:
"How do you start over from scratch? Being famous probably helps quite a bit. It gets you the attention of people who can help you. Since that's not really an option for the rest of us, I fail to see how Willie's financial advice is going to be much use to us. If he knew anything about finance, he wouldn't have been in such a mess in the first place."
"Hiring Willie Ames to be my financial planner would be neck-and-neck with having sex in Haiti without a condom in the Bad Idea Race."
"I suppose if I got a 25,000 check I could afford 760 bucks a month rent."
About that first comment. It is true that Willie Aames is getting help he probably would not have otherwise gotten thanks to his onetime fameball status. However, the commenter's logic then goes off the rails. "If he knew anything about finance, he wouldn't have been in such a mess in the first place."
Leaving aside the fact that, hello, he now does know something about finance, many, many people in our society appear not to know "anything about finance," and are likely not to seek help unless they encouraged ... say, by reading a story about a famous person who was in their spot once.
Sarano Kelley, Aames's financial coach, told me, "There is such a taboo around money. Our parents never told us what they earned. We didn't take classes in schools about doing our taxes. So much of one's financial literacy is just a matter of absolute luck. It's not related to a person's level of income or socioeconomic standing."
Kelley added that "Willie's going beyond survival mode, not just to create a sense of safety or esteem — he is literally emerging as a personal spokesman for financial literacy. That kind of human capacity is really what has made the greatest leaders we've had great, whether it was Abraham Lincoln or any number of fallible leaders who used their shortcomings to really be profound blessing to many. I expect really big things out of Willie."
Awsome! Wonderful article.
Posted by: leoabetas | November 05, 2009 at 10:14 AM
I don't even think it has to do with being famous, I think it is an ego thing, people like that just assume the universe will be there to bail them out no matter what. I know too many grown adults like that, and it is hard to change from that, but it is possible. I hope he is really invested in sincerely changing, and wish the best for him. If he can put his ego aside and truly embrace change, he can do it.
Posted by: KCKelly | November 05, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Yeah for Willie getting it together-I can relate! I too have been in the "limelight"--although not as big as Willie. So I understand how hard it is to change your life and start over-I have NOT been able to do that-so watching the show-gave me a kick in the pants! Still love ya--always have. Hope you get your marriage back together-if not I'll be touch-lol Still think you are the cutie teen throb that I have always adored-we are the same age. Good luck and the best to you-you deserve it!!!
Posted by: EX Radio Diva | November 06, 2009 at 01:17 AM
Um, is he really famous anymore, or is he a "former celebrity"?
Google Bobby Sherman, who was clearly as popular and successful as Ames and see how he managed his money and his life.
Posted by: sue | November 06, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I enjoyed the show very much. It was nice to see with a strong smart leader how quickly bad times can turn around. However, for not his previous fame he would'nt have had vh1 saving him from further dark times. People like me and alike don't get television producers handing over 25k to get our financial lives back together. We just stay behind the 8 ball with no prize in sight. How lucky for him. I'm happy for him though. Wish someone would hand me 25 k like that
Posted by: Christine nyari | November 07, 2009 at 06:29 PM