S02.E02: Where's the Money?

[Guest]

Airs January 19, 2021

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Big Mike's passing and the pandemic have left Jen in a financial mess, putting Bria's fairytale wedding in jeopardy. Bria and Lexi collaborate on a client's unique request for her daughter's birthday. The Martone's go to extreme lengths for help.

 

[LucyEth]

Thank God for Lexi, they all seem very nice but Lexi has to do all the thinking.  The woman getting the whole tea party thing done to her was doing that so she could be the center of attention at her young daughter’s party.  I thought the kids were all coming in to have hair and nails done.  Wow what thrill for that kid, her mom is all done up for her party.......Not!  I liked the medium telling them about Big Mike, not sure I believe or not but it gave Jen some comfort.  

[EtheltoTillie]

That medium was a typical phony. You could see the prepared   research info roll out. I’m surprised they didn’t get the Long Island medium!  

that fight between Bria and Lexi was awful.

Still dubious about their money. 
I can’t believe mom called Mike’s money hiding places a coochie. She did not get the meaning when the producer asked her. 

[RoxiP]

6 hours ago, LucyEth said:

Thank God for Lexi, they all seem very nice but Lexi has to do all the thinking.  The woman getting the whole tea party thing done to her was doing that so she could be the center of attention at her young daughter’s party.  I thought the kids were all coming in to have hair and nails done.  Wow what thrill for that kid, her mom is all done up for her party.......Not!  I liked the medium telling them about Big Mike, not sure I believe or not but it gave Jen some comfort.  

I thought the same thing about the tea party mom - what the heck?  Why not bring the birthday girl in and have her hair and nails done for the party?  Big thrill that Mom spent thousands of dollars on herself (okay, I don't know how much she spent but I suspect those nails don't come cheap!) so she could be the center of attention at the girl's party.  Furthermore, PANDEMIC - is she really throwing a big birthday party for her daughter?

Lexie can be crazy but she seems to be the normalest one in the family (yes I know that's not a word).  Why aren't they hiring a CPA to audit Big Mike's businesses and look through everything to figure out the financing....and surely he had insurance?

[Koalagirl]

6 hours ago, GussieK said:

That medium was a typical phony. You could see the prepared   research info roll out. I’m surprised they didn’t get the Long Island medium!  

that fight between Bria and Lexi was awful.

Still dubious about their money. 
I can’t believe mom called Mike’s money hiding places a coochie. She did not get the meaning when the producer asked her. 

When the mom said she thought their mortgage was paid I thought maybe Big Mike took out another mortgage to pay for Bria’s wedding or to add money to a failing business.

Maybe she thought he was saying his hiding place was a cache, but then I can’t see him using the word cache either. 

[EtheltoTillie]

5 minutes ago, Koalagirl said:

When the mom said she thought their mortgage was paid I thought maybe Big Mike took out another mortgage to pay for Bria’s wedding or to add money to a failing business.

Maybe she thought he was saying his hiding place was a cache, but then I can’t see him using the word cache either. 

No he wouldn’t have used cache. But I suppose the words have the same root/etymology. 

[snarkish]

I was also thinking that they should have hired Teresa Caputo (Long Island Medium) since well, they're on Long Island and both TLC shows! How cool would have that been? A battle of the nails!

I am calling BS on just how in the dark Jennifer is regarding Big Mike's finances. Especially that garbage bag of papers she dumped on the counter last episode. They are neat a pin, but this is how his paperwork is organized and filed? I think this is added drama, personally. 

Yay, Foxy's back! Loved the 99 year old getting teased up to the nines! Love Foxy, but OMG, they years of tanning have wreaked havok on the skin of her decolletage. I have a family friend who tanning bedded herself to death in the 80's and now she's in her mid 60's and her skin is like shoe leather. 

Something was off with this Mom getting all this work done for a kid's party. Even if her daughter was a teen/preteen...weird. And she seemed somewhat frumpy/dumpy from what she wore into the salon to order something like that. 

Bria is supposed to be some hairstylist?? That hairdo looked like my kid could have done that with her curling iron. She slapped a teapot and cards on her head and put in a few curls. She's too busy with her wedding of the century to even do her job adequately. I wasn't into the dark lipstick either, when I think of Alice in Wonderland I think more of bright colors, unless she was attempting to mix the Queen of Hearts into it or something. 

Once again, Lexi comes up with the most awesome stuff. Although I have no idea how anyone manages these nails, unless they pop on and off easily. Funny that she mentioned only drinking Prosecco and herbal tea. I know she's had bariatric surgery, and wondered how she drank all of that sparkling wine. 

[DallasDiva243]

5 hours ago, snarkish said:

I was also thinking that they should have hired Teresa Caputo (Long Island Medium) since well, they're on Long Island and both TLC shows! How cool would have that been? A battle of the nails!

I am calling BS on just how in the dark Jennifer is regarding Big Mike's finances. Especially that garbage bag of papers she dumped on the counter last episode. They are neat a pin, but this is how his paperwork is organized and filed? I think this is added drama, personally. 

Yay, Foxy's back! Loved the 99 year old getting teased up to the nines! Love Foxy, but OMG, they years of tanning have wreaked havok on the skin of her decolletage. I have a family friend who tanning bedded herself to death in the 80's and now she's in her mid 60's and her skin is like shoe leather. 

Something was off with this Mom getting all this work done for a kid's party. Even if her daughter was a teen/preteen...weird. And she seemed somewhat frumpy/dumpy from what she wore into the salon to order something like that. 

Bria is supposed to be some hairstylist?? That hairdo looked like my kid could have done that with her curling iron. She slapped a teapot and cards on her head and put in a few curls. She's too busy with her wedding of the century to even do her job adequately. I wasn't into the dark lipstick either, when I think of Alice in Wonderland I think more of bright colors, unless she was attempting to mix the Queen of Hearts into it or something. 

Once again, Lexi comes up with the most awesome stuff. Although I have no idea how anyone manages these nails, unless they pop on and off easily. Funny that she mentioned only drinking Prosecco and herbal tea. I know she's had bariatric surgery, and wondered how she drank all of that sparkling wine. 

I thought the same thing about the ladies hair. Those curls were just not doing it for me!! Bria just seems like such a brat. I love Lexi’s designs but I would never be able to wear any of them!! She has such an amazingly creative brain! I adore her!

[Spiderella2]

Bria is just the absolute worst ! I know her parents spoiled her, but this is ridiculous. She wants a splashy, extravagant, over the top wedding...In the middle of a freaking GLOBAL pandemic, mere months after dad passes away? Who is supposed to foot the bill for this wedding? It’s not useless Matt...or his seemingly normal parents, that’s for sure. This whole family (-Lexi) is just delusional and has their heads stuck in the sand. 
Poor Mike, looking at his obesity...and hearing he smoked for decades... I sensed in Season 1 he would not last too long, but February to May —-cancer got him that quick? Or did he know early on and just didn’t tell his family? I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but it’s better he passed than to see how dumb princess Bria’s life with relapsed-addict-cheater Matt will turn out. Train wreck! The wedding bills alone would have triggered a huge debt...oh boy! Mr. Spiderella suggested that Big Mike may have been worth more dead than alive, had crippling disappointment at Bria’s poor decisions, and didn’t want to live to have to give her to turd-Matt. So he gave up the fight. Or just didn’t have any more fight left in him.

So am I to believe all their antics are because of Big Mike’s death? And they are all trying to cope/ coping in their own different ways? MomJen distracting herself with planning this nonsensical wedding? Grandma pretending those twins are her grand babies ?  Or is this entire family just a bunch of fake pretenders (minus Lexi of course).

Start of episode, Jennifer goes to the bank, and finds out about a nest egg (life insurance?) that Big Mike supposedly had squirreled away. We are led to believe it’s a substantial amount when she said she had never held that much money in her hand before. This may be all the inheritance left, to pay all their debts, the mortgage refinance, level up the businesses, maybe hold them afloat during the pandemic. Any reasonable person would save it for a rainy day or handle financial obligations first. Not this matriarch! She calls Bria immediately. No wonder Big Mike left her out of the financial decisions: She’s as ridiculous  as her blinged-brained daughter Bria ! Wasting all that money for 1 day? As soon as she gets the check, she calls Bria to let her know that her delusional  “dream wedding” will be paid for by her dead father. Notice how Lexi was not included in that conversation or decisions...is Lexi the black sheep of the family? 

Meanwhile, Lexi is working nonstop, weekends and nights, to keep the business afloat. You can see how stressed she is on her face, she’s gained weight, is going through a breakup and grieving her fathers death. Using wine to dull her sorrow and work to dull her rage. She’s obviously struggling. Notice how there is not even 1 crumb of emotional support thrown her direction for what is considered very huge problems in the real world. I did like to see that Lexi has her own apartment, an oasis from the crazy that is her family. And her one employee/roomie/friend seems nice and well intentioned. Wonder why she broke up with her boyfriend? How come Lexi gets no love? 

Instead, Jen is spending all her time, money, energy and focus on bratty Bria, saying :”this poor girl is going through so much“ even though Jen is the one actually doing all the wedding planning, and Mike footing the bill. Bria can’t even be bothered to show up to work, and when she does, she brings Matt and his spawn turning their business (sole source of steady family income), into a daycare. Chasing any remaining customers away— How unprofessional !

Matt is a turd and it’s sad that only Lexi can see it. Bria is so absorbed with her princess fantasy/wedding day storyline that she hasn’t even realized that a marriage is more than 1 wedding day.  He can’t even take care of any responsibilities, follow simple instructions (black suit), or care for the kids he fathered for 2 days every other weekend without needing Bria to hold his hand. Instead of a man like her dad, who will take care of her, she’s getting a useless man-child, and expects her whole family to help take care of him, his kids (his responsibility), his addiction, his expenses (does he even have a job?), and whatever drama he brings this week. This is the dude she is blowing up her sisterhood,  and wiping out her inheritance for? This slug? She considers herself a princess, and she deems this vile irresponsible hunk of ineptitude her Prince Charming? Where are they gonna live? At the McManshion with Jen? No wonder Lexi moved out! 

Newflash Jen: you have 2 daughters, not 1! The entire world is in global pandemic shutdown. All sensible brides have postponed their events...but no, Bria must have her wedding, her way! I bet you Bria thought she could cancel coronavirus with more glitter and bling...that’s why she kept going with the never-ending wedding plans, even after it all. “Less is not more, more is more.” Or another pearl of wisdom about Bria, “She’s been planning her wedding since the day she was born.” Her head truly is stuck up in the clouds. The mom/grandma just spoil and indulge her.

Her bubble unfortunately will pop sooner rather than later, and that is what I wanna watch. Life will show her that glitter can’t fix it all. As Bria fritters her time away between childish tantrums, and daydreams, State COVID regulations force her to minimize her guest list to 50—oh what a tragedy! My 6-year-olds have handled COVID regulations/cancellations  with more pragmatism and grace than bratty Bria. The perpetual victim act is so over done.

COVID has affected 7.1 billion people dearie, and it didn’t come just to ruin your wedding. This was filmed summer 2020, so at that point, thousands of folks had died. She should be more concerned about protecting folks at her super-spreader event than her carriage cake topper. She didn’t ask 1 question about protection at the castle meeting. *side note, nice mask but I doubt it’s an n95*

We are in the midst of a freaking global pandemic, and you’re oh so worried about pruning your guest list?  She really must have glitter in her brain. So far this season, she’s been totally useless, besides looking overly glammed up, what has she done? We find Bria Either tantruming, blowing up with misplaced rage, trying to strong arm vendors into violating statewide isolation precautions with her tears, destroying her salon business by ignoring her clients and turning it into a daycare, siphoning the entire family fortune to pay for her dream wedding, or playing house with Matt, and the twins his “break babies.”

Edited January 30, 2021 by Spiderella2
Spelling

[Spiderella2]

Poor Lexi. She really has wilted under this gigantic burden this season. With Mike gone RIP, she is the only one to deal with this whole clusterfuck. He should have made out a will, and had Lexi be the executor of the estate. This whole family needs a reality check, and boundaries ASAP. Looks like the mom Jen calls Lexi out next week, and comes at her for not being “supportive” for the wedding, which is just a huge unnecessary distraction. A wedding circus to distract from the empty hole left in the family from Mike’s death, and Bria marrying her sugar-baby turned con artist. 

Meanwhile Lexi keeps stomaching all this nonsense. This is why she is so unhappy, everything she has built, going to Matt?  Oh mylanta...! Lexi needs to protect herself. She has to make sure Bria’s stupidity doesn’t drag the entire family down too. I doubt Bria will make Matt sign a pre- or post-nup. I hope the business is not in Bria’s name at all.  

I hope the show gives Lexi financial freedom, confidence, and a voice. Based on her talent, I hope she can expand her platform and brand, and leave the back of the hair salon. She needs to separate  her business from the cesspool of Bria’s bad decision-making  ...Matt will be stealing from there soon. She can charge more for her exclusive, gorgeous nails, maybe even do nail merchandising down the line, at-home nail kits, subscription service.  She can have her own nail studio, and she will have more and more clients once the pandemic is over. She’s taken the first step by getting her own apartment, so she’s heading in the right direction. I hope she keeps going until she achieves all her dreams. Lexi really got the lion’s share of brains in the family.

I know it’s bad to call people names, but Bria is —pretty. And dumb. And stupid. Selfish, narcissistic, and always wants to be the center of attention. She paints herself as confidant and gorgeous, but truly she is insecure, needy, a spoiled brat, and very selfish. She obv has some inner work to do on her soul and spirit to make her insides match her outside. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. She thinks that a big wedding will somehow fix Matt’s selfishness, and turn a shitty boyfriend into a wonderful husband ...um no. She will learn this lesson painfully the hard way. 
 

Hopefully, we   get to see it this season, or mixed in next season amidst Lexi rising like a Phoenix, elevating, and taking her rightful place as head of this family. Maybe she will start her business empire . 

Edited January 30, 2021 by Spiderella2
Epilogue

[Spiderella2]

Your wish is my command. See above . Crafted with snark for you to Enjoy, 🤩

On 1/13/2021 at 8:43 AM, snarkish said:

I hoped more people would watch and comment on this thread. Season 2 has started, will there be a section for it? @SilverStormm?

 

[pasdetrois]

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I hope the show gives Lexi financial freedom, confidence, and a voice. Based on her talent, I hope she can expand her platform and brand, and leave the back of the hair salon. She needs to separate  her business from the cesspool of Bria’s bad decision-making  ...Matt will be stealing from there soon.

Yes.

I can't watch this show any longer. The stupidity over finances, the pandemic, the crass wedding of the hosebeast sister...

Lexi needs therapy STAT, followed by a plan to separate from this life-sucking situation and establish some boundaries. I don't think she's confident enough to do this yet.

Something tells me there isn't much money. I don't know if Mike could have carried life insurance, given his smoking and obesity. It looks as if they spent every penny they all earned.

[snarkish]

I started watching this show because of Lexi. I love to see her talent, and her style. I could give a rats ass about her family (although I have a soft spot for Foxy and the wonderful teased styles she can manage out of older women with barely any hair). I went down the rabbit hole of looking at Bria's FB photos (talk about being bored during quarantine). Such a sickening shit show of over the top pics of wedding and holidays, I swear that woman and her Mother live 24/7 for drag makeup, decorating, revealing clothing, and just GLAM. At least Lexi has a quirky, cool sense of style and isn't about shoving her ASSets in everyone's face. I wish they'd focus more on Lexi's work and her now delving back into the dating world than wasting screen time with Bria and Jen. 

[Spiderella2]

21 hours ago, snarkish said:

I started watching this show because of Lexi. I love to see her talent, and her style. I could give a rats ass about her family (although I have a soft spot for Foxy and the wonderful teased styles she can manage out of older women with barely any hair). I went down the rabbit hole of looking at Bria's FB photos (talk about being bored during quarantine). Such a sickening shit show of over the top pics of wedding and holidays, I swear that woman and her Mother live 24/7 for drag makeup, decorating, revealing clothing, and just GLAM. At least Lexi has a quirky, cool sense of style and isn't about shoving her ASSets in everyone's face. I wish they'd focus more on Lexi's work and her now delving back into the dating world than wasting screen time with Bria and Jen. 

I followed you down the rabbit hole Snarkish! Ahhhh! My eyes...I need sunglasses! Found her Facebook Bria Martone Mancuso.

You’re absolutely right. She’s one of those folks that has to post pictures about every single thing.  Almost as if she’s trying to prove to the entire world how happy she is. She must have a photographer on call, or book photo/makeup sessions every 2 weeks. Maybe she’s trying to launch a modeling career? Except for 1 nice shot, The underwater shoot seemed either like a borderline porno or a constipated mer-man kidnapping a slutty looking fairy.  Ha!

She reminds me of Teresa from NJ Housewives, all those huge fake smiles, all glitz/glam, hair flip and fakery hiding a broken marriage and criminal activities. Usually when I have friends posting gushy tributes nonstop on Facebook, they are also the ones constantly fighting in real life, making up and breaking up. But their fake-book pictures make them look like #marriage goals, they sound so gushy mushy. No new pics since Xmas, only flashbacks. They must have been fighting on NYE and MLK day... *gasp*😳🙄p Lets see if there will be another post and photoshoot in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Photos make her look like a loving stepmom. I guess it’s easier if the kids to accept her since they have known her all of their lives, she’s just like another aunt or mom to them. I do wonder where the twins’ bio-mom is. Curious how she feels that Bria has effectively replaced her online to where I almost forgot they weren’t her kids for a sec. but Matt is no prize so she probably doesn’t care. 

The apple does not fall far from the tree. Bria is Jen’s mini-me. Down to the boobs out all the time. This is why Jen lets Bria get away with everything. And sadly, Lexi has completely disappeared...I had to squint to see her in that staircase Xmas party photo.  This is why it’s not good to have a favorite child or play favorites and create competition for your love with your kids. So pitiful. 
#FreeLexiMartone 

Edited February 1, 2021 by Spiderella2
Trying to free Lexi

[snarkish]

3 hours ago, Spiderella2 said:

I followed you down the rabbit hole Snarkish! Ahhhh! My eyes

LOL!!! You lost several hours of your life as well, right?

Seems like we're talking to each other...we're on episode 3 and there isn't a section yet. 

I couldn't handle how much Bria and Jen stroke their hair extensions! Constantly. 

I noticed the gushing over the step-twins. Part of me thinks it's great they get spoiled by her, but I agree that all of the FB "perfect family" pics probably covers up a bitchy demeanor. She already shows signs during the show of being quick to attack and have a short fuse. I can't see how someone who doesn't have a hair or eyelash out of place could have tolerance for rambunctious twin toddler boys. (BTW, didn't you love her get up for the pumpkin patch day with the kids?? LMAO!)

[snarkish]

4 hours ago, Spiderella2 said:

I do wonder where the twins’ bio-mom is.

I found the bio-Mom too (I lost my calling as a Private Investigator, although all you really need is Google and are easy putting 2 and 2 together!). Not sure if I can post stuff about her here as I'm not sure we're allowed to stray "off topic" of the episodes, I wind up getting into trouble with the Mods (*winces*).

[ShaNaeNae]

I Googled Brias twin bio mom and found a pic of her and Bria together with the twins. So it appears they’re in good standing. I’d have a hard time being with my boyfriends “break side piece” kids (and it’s not the kids fault so I’d probably end the relationship) and I’m not a self centered bitch like Bria. So surprised she’s so good with them. 

[EtheltoTillie]

I’m here with you. Not much more to say. Bria and her wedding dreams. During a pandemic. How could they deny her!  Oh the humanity. 
 

Spoiler

from the Facebook postings it looks like she had the wedding at Oheka Castle after all. All the drama may be producer driven fakery

. 

[EtheltoTillie]

7 hours ago, snarkish said:

LOL!!! You lost several hours of your life as well, right?

Seems like we're talking to each other...we're on episode 3 and there isn't a section yet. 

I added a topic for tomorrow’s episode 4. 

[LucyEth]

Late here commenting on last weeks show.  WTH is Bria out of her mind?  Let’s cancel the pandemic ASAP because Bria cannot possibly limit her wedding guest list to 50 people.  The cake plans were ridiculous, even the baker was laughing and taking shots at her.  Jen asking “where are all the brides was equally ridiculous”. It’s a pandemic you idiots.  Poor Lexi, she is so talented and doing all the work.  Shake those people loose Lexi and go out on your own.  I do enjoy Foxy too, she is just cute and funny.  I cannot believe Bria wants to hurry up and have a baby or hoping for twins with Matt, guess she wants to compete with the boys’s mother.  The relationship with those boys and her family is a bit strange, like everyone just wants to block it out that he cheated and Bria is not their mother.  Well on to tonight’s episode!

[Spiderella2]

Thank you @GussieK. 
welcome to the group @LucyEth see you in Wk4 forum 

[crofiton]

Your state will also need additional tax identifiers, depending on what you do. For example, if you sell retail goods, you will need a tax ID number. If you sell alcohol, you may need a different number. When you go to the company, you'll find that you're under a contract with the client on every project. They don't include you on the "W2 payroll" or deduct freelance taxes on your behalf. At the end of the year, the company that hires you reports to the IRS the amount of money they paid you through a "1099". You will receive 1099 from each client you contract with. That's it, and it's straightforward.

Edited November 3, 2021 by crofiton