# Fictional television characters living way above or below their means **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705 "2009-02-06T15:11:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/81 "2009-02-08T04:51:13Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Quite a few old-fashioned TV detectives never seemed to get paid for their work. A modern example is Psych. They had a recent episode referencing waiting for their pay from the Police to pay the cable bill, but I think the office they have is way above their means (standalone building, Santa Barbara, waterfront(?)), and they got it on week 1 of their detective agency. I think Sean’s father’s house is also waterfront, so even though it’s small I think it would be beyond the means of the police officer he was back in the 80’s when they bought it. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/82 "2009-02-08T06:07:12Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > The Brady’s > > Mike is an architect, Carol has no job. 6 kids. Their own, rather sharp, house. And a maid.:eek::smack: In suburban Los Angeles, to boot. Although I’m willing to bet that the price of housing in California was more in line with the national average in the 1970s. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/83 "2009-02-08T06:23:43Z")
Let’s turn all these clowns into the IRS for unreported income. I understand there is a bounty. ---
**Author:** ![Obsidian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/51bf81/32.png) [@Obsidian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obsidian)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/84 "2009-02-08T11:16:05Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > Ugly Betty. Betty had to give up her apartment in Manhattan (Hope Amanda can keep up the payments, though a wacky new roommate seems inevitable). But even with her salary, her papi’s and her sister’s, how do they afford the place in Queens? None of them makes more than $12/hour! I assumed Ignacio and his wife bought that place decades ago. It would have been much cheaper back then, so the payments are low if not already paid off. My parents half million dollar house cost $40K in the 70’s. I think their mortgage payment wasn’t more than a few hundred bucks. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/85 "2009-02-08T21:02:36Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > Going back quite a while I always wondered how the cops in Miami Vice could afford the designer clothes,the sports cars and the yacht without being on the take and selling on seized drugs Magnum of Magnum PI upgraded from a fake Ferrari to a real one through the series (IIRC, it was a prop upgrade, but I digress) which would be explainable if he was a guest of such a rich benefactor. ETA: My bad (should have googled first), the fakes were for stunts. Still, it would explain how a mere PI can have a top of the line European super car. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/86 "2009-02-08T21:06:05Z")
Since a couple of movies have already been mentioned… The first Batman movie with Michael Keaton and Kim Basinger, Vickie Vale’s apartment is pretty swanky for a journalist. Even one published by Time magazine. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/87 "2009-02-08T21:15:24Z")
I think the last time anyone asked the question in the OP, it was pointed out that Homer Simpson was able to get by with the vast sums of money he made in outlandish schemes being almost, but not quite wiped out by the court cases he lost. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/88 "2009-02-08T21:19:54Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > He wasn’t much of an architect, IMO. I mean, what kind of architect builds a 3-bedroom house when he has six kids? 😉 He only had 3 kids, all boys under the age of 13, when he built the house. I assume that Greg had a room to himself and Bobby & Peter shared whichever room was closer to the master bedroom. ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/89 "2009-02-08T21:45:16Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Andrew Vachss’s Burke is always running scams, busting child pornographers and pedophiles and taking their cash and possessions, making tons of cash, yet he lives in his office and later in a flea bag hotel. True, but he’s also been to jail twice. He’s trying to deliberately keep a low profile by living off the grid. Ditto the rest of the Fam. I always wondered where Clarence stayed. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/90 "2009-02-08T23:29:51Z")
> [@Apocalypso](#): > > Since a couple of movies have already been mentioned… > > The first Batman movie with Michael Keaton and Kim Basinger, Vickie Vale’s apartment is pretty swanky for a journalist. Even one published by Time magazine. :rolleyes: Heck, she’s just following in the footsteps of Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane from the first Superman movie and her (to quote Mad Magazine) Taj Mahal apartment. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/91 "2009-02-09T00:29:15Z")
Even though Sunnydale’s housing was fairly cheap, I find it hard to believe that her mother could afford a house that nice. Of course, the issue of money is discussed in Season Six, but as far as I know (don’t spoil, we’re only on the first two discs!) it’s not explained how Joyce could afford to fix the house each time Buffy wrecked it. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/92 "2009-02-09T00:50:31Z")
Batman, how does he maintain a business empire when he stays awake 24/7? (Always bugged me). ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/93 "2009-02-09T02:47:25Z")
What about the family on Good Times? I don’t know the demographics for families in poverty in 1970’s Chicago, but shouldn’t a family with two working parents have been able to afford something a little better than a two-bedroom apartment in the projects? ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/94 "2009-02-09T03:09:33Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Batman, how does he maintain a business empire when he stays awake 24/7? (Always bugged me). Two words: Lucius. Fox. One more word: Prepared ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/95 "2009-02-09T03:23:32Z")
> [@Lissla\_Lissar](#): > > Even though Sunnydale’s housing was fairly cheap, I find it hard to believe that her mother could afford a house that nice. Of course, the issue of money is discussed in Season Six, but as far as I know (don’t spoil, we’re only on the first two discs!) it’s not explained how Joyce could afford to fix the house each time Buffy wrecked it. If you’re up to season six, you should already know that Xander fixes the house for free after he becomes a construction foreman. Secondly, while it’s never stated outright, I assume Joyce gets a pretty hefty child support/alimony payment from Buffy’s father (he did run off with his secretary) during the early years of the show. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/96 "2009-02-09T03:46:08Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Full House–Danny Tanner supported three children, his best friend the struggling comic and his brother-in-law the struggling musician on a sportscaster’s salary. > > He must have gotten one helluva settlement from the drunk driver that killed his wife. I can’t believe you’re making me do this, but Danny Tanner was only a sportscaster for a little while. Then he started doing “Wake Up, San Francisco” with Becky, and that, presumably, went with a pay raise. Plus, Jesse and Joey were always employed, including a stint as radio DJs, Joey on a children’s show, Jesse getting gigs with his band, and Jesse owning a club. Plus, after Becky married Jesse, they were getting that income. > [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > If you’re up to season six, you should already know that Xander fixes the house for free after he becomes a construction foreman. > > Secondly, while it’s never stated outright, I assume Joyce gets a pretty hefty child support/alimony payment from Buffy’s father (he did run off with his secretary) during the early years of the show. Not only that, but Joyce owned a gallery. Presumably, she got a decent income from that. ---
**Author:** ![dbuzman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de0a6/32.png) [@dbuzman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dbuzman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/97 "2009-02-09T05:20:48Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Magnum of Magnum PI upgraded from a fake Ferrari to a real one through the series (IIRC, it was a prop upgrade, but I digress) which would be explainable if he was a guest of such a rich benefactor. > > ETA: My bad (should have googled first), the fakes were for stunts. Still, it would explain how a mere PI can have a top of the line European super car. Magnums main job was working for Robin Masters. His pay was living in the guest house for free and access to the Ferrari whenever he wanted. I think the only thing he had to pay for was food, clothes and any items he wanted that weren’t needed for the job. That was why he did the PI gig. ---
**Author:** ![mshar253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/98 "2009-02-09T10:34:09Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Batman, how does he maintain a business empire when he stays awake 24/7? (Always bugged me). You didn’t see The Dark Knight? They show him sleeping during the meeting that was held to discuss the merger between Wayne Enterprises and the Chinese company. I understand that Batman has been around for a very long time, and it may never have been addressed before now, but at least they made the attempt to explain that recently. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/99 "2009-02-09T10:39:30Z")
> [@thirdwarning](#): > > Niles Crane probably makes a decent income from his practice, but he affords his lifestyle by the settlement he got from Meris in the divorce. She paid up rather that have her family’s secret get out. I don’t know how Frasier manages to do what he does. This may be waaayy off track, but isn’t Frasier somehow supposed to have happened after Cheers - where Frasier did have a successful practise prior to his divorce to the harridan from hell? (sorry if this is off base, I don’t watch Frasier that often) ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705/100 "2009-02-09T10:48:57Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Magnum of Magnum PI upgraded from a fake Ferrari to a real one through the series (IIRC, it was a prop upgrade, but I digress) which would be explainable if he was a guest of such a rich benefactor. > > ETA: My bad (should have googled first), the fakes were for stunts. Still, it would explain how a mere PI can have a top of the line European super car. Didn’t that car belong to Robin Masters and Magnum just had the use of it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-television-characters-living-way-above-or-below-their-means/484705.md?page=6)