Richard lives with his son Alex in a social rental home in Schiedam. The house is anything but fully equipped and actually needs a makeover. But Richard’s budget is 80 euros a week. Although he was completely rejected after two cerebral hemorrhages and also had to deal with a divorce, the love for his son Alex is enormous.
How different is the financial situation with ex-couple Sinclair and Patrick. Despite their split, they still live together in Hilversum and spend their money on all kinds of expensive personal trainers and breathing sessions. “It costs claws of money, but we give it to ourselves,” says Patrick.
Then it’s time for the big trade. The participants temporarily move into each other’s house. “This is just hysterical,” Sinclair yells upon entering. “I feel a lot of love. I feel a lot of stuff.” Patrick just has to cry. “I think they have fun together in such a space. I don’t know why it makes me cry, but it just grabs me,” he says. When they walk into the bathroom, it is a bit of a shock. “This is a spicy one,” says Sinclair. “I need to let this sink in for a while,” Patrick agrees.
While Patrick and Sinclair have 2000 euros to spend per week, Richard and Alex, on the other hand, have to manage with 80 euros per week. The two are in shock. “I can’t believe it’s almost embarrassing. If you consider what we’re spending this on, an hour-long breathing session and it’s gone,” says Patrick. Sports sessions also cost so much money. But Sinclair and Patrick can also be found in the supermarket every day. “We sometimes go to the store two to three times a day. 20, 25 euros each time,” says Patrick. He is touched by the low budget.
When they have to go shopping with the new budget of 80 euros, they are shocked by the prices in the supermarket for the first time in a long time. “What a situation, man,” says Sinclair. But he doesn’t want to skimp on his tea. The house brand is not allowed in the shopping cart.
Richard buys sportswear for his son and a jacket for himself from his new mega budget. That moves the father enormously. “I think it’s beautiful,” he says. They are visited in their new home by Eva Simons, who turns out to be Sinclair’s niece. She says Sinclair was once poor too. “He comes from the Bijlmer and had no money.”
After a week, the participants meet. Sinclair and Patrick are so fed up with Richard and Alex’s financial situation that they decide to help the family with a weekly donation. “I didn’t expect it at all,” Richard responds.
Rich in stone, poor in the street see you every Wednesday at 8.30 pm on SBS 6.
