1968: A LIFE of NECESSARY EXTRAVAGANCE | Man Alive | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive

You'd imagine having two good incomes, no children and a flat in an enviable part of London would make for a financially comfortable lifestyle.

Not for this young couple. They juggle money between their five bank accounts, spend half a week's pay at the races and write letters to millionaires picked out of Who's Who, asking for a loan of £500. Welcome to the extraordinary world of people living beyond their means.

Clip taken from Man Alive: Beyond Their Means, originally broadcast on BBC Two, Tuesday 4 June, 1968.

You have now entered the BBC Archive, a time machine that will transport you back to the golden age of TV to educate, entertain and enlighten you with classic clips from the BBC vaults.

[Simpaulme]

BBC - your audience has spoken - we need a follow-up.

[markwiles]

These two are pioneers for the many more who live beyond their means these days though not always through their own fault. It would be interesting to have seen how they got on through the 70s to today.

[Pulsonar]

We bemoan the BBC many times for all sorts of valid reasons, but they’ve always made wonderful documentaries. A snapshot of a bygone age that I remember very clearly as a child is really captivating. Particularly in how strongly a once Great Britain contrasts against social, environment, political and cultural mess of today. Only thing great today is the archive quality of this documentary 😊

[oxouk]

We don't know how to manage our money but we would like to open our own business. If they were interviewing for a business loan from a bank they would be turned down. BBC Archive is one of the most entertaining and educational channels to watch on YT.

[garethwilliams]

so 9 minutes of a bloke tellng me how he deserves what he can't afford.

[kaitlyn__L]

“…and then we could start a business.” Ah yes, and never be in debt again! 😅

[RolandoRatas]

Keeping up with the Joneses - a miserable and unfulfilling endeavour - trying to fill an empty void.

[Harmonyww]

Google turns up the obituary of a Tony Whitfield (1940-2022) who was married to a Jill Whitfield. If it's the same bloke he ended up moving to New Zealand and starting a business.

[brianmmacu]

I would love an update on those two to see if this cruel, cruel world has given them everything they think they think they should have , or if it continues to " persecute" them

Heartbreaking....

[noplace]

Adjusted for inflation, they take home about £2600 a month and paid £500 a month for a one bed flat in London.

[probono]

I heard that not long after the programme aired Tony won over £100, 000 on the football pools.

He told Jill that he wanted their name in the papers, so everyone would know how rich they were.

“But Tony, darling, what about all the begging letters?” asked Jill.

“Oh, don’t worry darling, we’ll still keep on sending them!“

[deb]

I’ve always appreciated how well my parents managed within their means but now I admire them even more. At the same time when these two were living their extravagant lifestyle and spiralling into debt my parents were supporting 4 children on what I imagine was around half the amount these two were earning (as neither of my parents were professionals). They worked incredibly hard and we never wasted a single penny. My mum worked in the fields picking fruit (and she was able to take me with her). Yes ‘times were tough’ as they say, I knew we were poor compared to other children I went to school with (and I was envious) but we also had wonderful evenings as a family playing games and laughing together. That’s priceless. I’m thankful that because of their sacrifices they were able to enjoy many years of retirement and happiness in Brittany and helped set me and my sisters on a better path.

[nicholasm]

His overspending couldn't deal with that dodgy comb-over

[mbenn]

To be fair, he is punching a bit with Jill. She seems quite nice and pretty, but he seems very sour and chippy. I reckon that in 1974 Jill found a well-endowed 1970's moustachioed He-Man with chest hair, flowing locks and a big gold medallion, while he was left snivelling in a damp flat heated by one candle, moaning about being poor and jealous, and slurping cold Bovril out of an empty Fray Bentos pie tin.

[I-pd]

It’s amazing to think he’s quite young but looks like he’s in his early fifties.

[wlfewoo]

A teacher, living for £8 a week, in the centre of London… thats bananas!

[maidinulster]

No ppl like this will never have enough

[markwiles]

Update: He spent £40 on a wig in 1972.

[SirDigbyMinge-ormd]

£1 in 1968 is the equivalent of £14.78 today.
I really must get out more.

[Mtmonaghan]

Love or hate them, they are authentic