Down But Not Out

S1 E1: Meet the Bruce-Rumsey family, Laura, Todd and both of their children from previous marriages. Todd and Laura met four years ago. Laura is a teacher and Todd was a successful contractor. In their first years together they used money to ease the transition of blending their two families. But when the economy tanked --taking Todd's business with it - the family had to sell their house and downsize their spending habits. Todd Bruce was a successful contractor who is now scraping by on day jobs. When he realizes the family is $300.00 short on rent, he goes to his sometime-boss for an advance on work he'd done earlier in the month. His boss praises him as a worker but is unable to come up with the cash. In the meantime, Laura calls her step mother and asks to borrow the money. Her step mother readily agrees but it's clear the request makes Laura feel guilty. Things take a turn for the worse when Laura tells Todd what she has done. Todd insists there are always "strings attached" to such loans and tells Laura that they got themselves into the mess and they will pull themselves out. Todd has another idea: the family's vacation jar. He empties it onto the table and coin after glimmering coin pours out. Todd and his step daughter, Bailey, head for the grocery store's coin machine. Meanwhile, triplets Whitney, Rex and Dylan, all 14, take it upon themselves to lend the family a helping hand and head out to the town's dumpsters in search of bottles. In all they make just under $20.00 but have a good time doing it. In the end, the family comes up with the $200.00 of the $300.00 dollars needed for rent until - in a surprise move—Dylan sells his much loved baseball glove to a friend down the street. Todd and Laura are deeply touched and deeply proud of their children. On a lighter note, teenage boys Levi, Dylan and Rex play a practical joke on their sister, Whitney, that leaves her soaking wet.