Original subtitles

It's been said that money is the root of all evil.

But if you ask the teenage daughter of a penny -pinching daddy, I'd say money is

the root to independence.

So, I'm going to take my paycheck and open up a savings account and a checking

account.

Not this week.

After all, if I'm going to be independent, I should at least dress the

Thank you.

Moesha, get down here.

Hey, look at this phone bill. That's ridiculous.

Well, then you don't want to see the cable bill.

Hey, Dad.

I called your sister.

I know. I just wanted to see the stuff hit the fan.

Hey, Daddy, what's up? These bills, baby, they're way too high.

Oh, offset the cost. Get rid of miles.

Daddy, it looks okay to me. I mean, isn't that about average?

Yeah, for a small telemarketing firm.

But it's outrageous for a household of 3 .5 people.

Moesha, honey, did you order liar, liar?

Ten times.

Oh, thankful.

Liar, liar.

Going, gone.

You know what?

It looks to me that these bills are creating unnecessary stress.

So?

Perhaps you can find some relief in these bills.

Moesha, honey, we don't want your money.

You speak for yourself.

We just want you to try and keep the bills down, okay?

Okay. Okay.

Thank you.

Cutie.

A little to the right.

A little bit more.

Just touch the left. Ah, that's it. That's perfect.

Yes.

Oh, baby, it's a little crooked.

Could it be your head that is crooked?

See? The picture's fine.

Oh, I love it.

Hi, may I help you? Hi. I'm here to install a phone for Moshe Mitchell.

Oh, that's Moesha.

You know, I got a niece who spells her name the exact same way. Trust me.

It's Moshe.

Is that the phone company?

About time. I've been waiting on you all morning.

Excuse me, but the work order said I'd be here between 7 and 11.

Well, excuse me. It's noon.

Point taken.

Hi. Did you know about Moshe getting a phone?

No. But I dreamt about it a few times.

Mr. Mitchell, resident?

Yes, how may I help you? I'm here to install your cable.

Cable? Yeah, you know, hooks into your television, gives you great reception.

I know what cable is.

Then why'd you ask?

Because I like friendly banter.

Oh, good, you're early. Come on up.

Your picture's crooked.

The television's right over there.

That's a television?

I thought it was your clock radio.

And I thought you were the phone guy.

Uh, Pumpkin, can we have a word with you?

Sure. Evening.

So, what's up?

Now, that's a good question.

Now, maybe the phone I can appreciate. But we already have cable.

Daddy, you have basic.

I mean, look, yesterday when you guys were going on and on about those

And quite eloquently, I might add.

I mean, it got me to thinking. I have a job now. And if I want to make a phone

call or watch Friday every Saturday, it should come out of my pocket.

What, Moesha? Honey, we don't want you spending your money this way.

But I want to spend my money this way.

You guys, I have it under control.

I can do this.

Frank, instead of Moesha wasting her money on cable, she ought to be saving

for college. Steve, we've got college covered, baby.

Look, this is her money. Let her spend it the way she wants.

Besides, she's got a movie channel.

Dion doesn't have anything on you.

Kenny Kingston, either.

Kim, who are you talking to?

Her psychic.

You're right.

It is 2 o 'clock on the West Coast.

Oh, you good?

Everybody say, hey, Zenobia.

Hey.

Kim, are you crazy? Those hotlines are very expensive, and you've been on for

minutes. No, 15. The first five are free.

Can you tell me about my love life?

Hello?

Zenobia? Kim, you're not gonna run up my phone bill.

Besides, if she was a real psychic, she could channel you.

NEC, will you move out the way? I can't see.

Eggs are well -beaten. Still can't see.

Oh, why would you get cable for a nine -inch TV?

Yeah, Mom.

I mean, getting cable for this TV is like buying glasses for a boy with no

He can see, but it's not easy.

Well, unlike you big spenders, I can't afford a new TV.

Mo, you need rental life.

Mm -hmm.

Yo, girl, my Auntie Giselle, she's been right there for years.

That's why she got her black and white console.

But I don't have credit.

If you had credit, you wouldn't need rental life.

Yeah, their commercials say all you need is three references and a pay stub. Mm

-hmm. Oh, well, I have a pay stub, but where am I going to get three

Uno, dos... Who are we going to get for the third

reference?

Me!

I'm Trace. Uno, dos, Trace.

Come on, y 'all, let's go. I'll find somebody.

Looks just like my auntie's apartment.

Hey, Mo, check it. This TV has a remote.

It's cool, Joaquin, but it's too big.

I've never heard that one before.

Hi, welcome to Rent -A -Life, where our motto is, why buy when you gonna die?

My name is Jerome. How may I help you?

Well, Jerome, I need a new TV.

How about this 36 -inch beauty with surround sound and picture -in -picture?

Dang, Mo, the picture in the picture is bigger than your old TV.

How much is it? Only $19 .95 a week.

That's less than $20.

Thank you, Kim. I mean, with you, who needs a calculator?

Did I mention we're installed free of charge and we offer free same -day

delivery within a five -mile radius?

Aw, dang, I live about ten miles away from here.

We'll make that a ten -mile radius.

Tom, do you know my Auntie Giselle?

Thin, cute, looks a lot like me.

She rents here all the time.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know her. She two months behind.

I hope you're not a reference.

No, didn't make the cut.

So. If you sign now, we can deliver this today.

Well, I don't know. I mean, sounds good, but... Did I mention, for an additional

$10, I would throw in a VCR, a CD player, and a wall unit, all for a grand

of $29 .95 a week.

Mo, you better get that girl. That's less than $30 a week.

She is a radius.

You a cheerleader?

Varsity.

limit to consult with my friends what are you crazy just take it look look

i tell you what take as much time as you want but that's the last 36 inch we

haven't stopped and you see those people over there they don't look like looky

loops you

guys it sounds like a good deal what do you think girl you know what i think i

brought you here i think you can get more On the commercial, this couple got

whole room full of stuff.

For a little nothing.

They were so happy.

So, have we made our decision?

Chair, let's talk.

Life doesn't get much better than this.

Good evening, Mr.

Mitchell. Good evening, ladies.

So what's playing at the Moesha Centerplex tonight?

Spice Girls. Ooh, the Spice Girls will come in.

Sorry, Miles.

The 8 o 'clock show is sold out.

Better go back to kicking butt.

Well, I was hoping I'd be able to see something. Miles.

Well, enjoy the movie, ladies. Thank you, Mr. Mitchell.

You're welcome.

Watch it. I came. You just came here.

Who is it? Now you know who it is.

I'm glad you could make it. Please come in.

Oh, I love what you've done with the planet.

Oh.

Happy room warming, Mo.

That's for both of us.

This is for you and your new room.

May it be blessed with happiness, love.

Thanks,

you guys. I love candles.

Ooh, especially the ones that cost 99 cents.

My mama always says it's the thought that counts. Yeah, my mama says that's

an excuse for bringing a cheap gift.

Really? And when does she say this, Hocaine?

On Mother's Day?

Oh, so you think I'm cheap, huh?

For your information, I bought the $1 .99 frozen egg rolls, okay?

Hey, ain't no party like an egg roll party.

Maybe you should have warned us.

Just go and flip the circuit breaker. All right.

What are you looking at?

Oh.

Dee.

Exactly how many volts does it take to dry your hair?

Oh, you are not going to blame this one on me.

We should check Melissa's room.

Something's going on up there.

What makes you say that?

Call it kids' intuition.

Yeah, I'm going downstairs to warm this up.

All right, that's starting to wear a little thin now.

Oh, cool.

Marisha, what have you done to your room?

All right, start talking, Mo.

Um, well, see, you know,

This seems like a family moment.

Bye.

Wait, Hakeem. Where are you going? You're part of this family. Only at

See you at breakfast.

Moesha, where did all of this stuff come from?

I rented it.

How can you afford all of this?

Dean, you know what? I am so glad you asked.

And?

to your question, I have prepared a budget.

This is what I make after taxes. And after I pay the phone, cable, and rental

life bills, I have $15 a month to put into my savings account.

Or buy a new seat.

Good one, Mom.

How could you be so irresponsible?

Okay, well, looks like she's got everything covered. Let's go, Dee.

Frank, is that all you're gonna say to her?

You're right.

Mo?

Yes, Daddy?

You got an awful lot of stuff up here, baby.

Don't run them all at the same time.

Thanks, Daddy.

Oh,

hey, Mo.

Why you up? You think you can grab me a soda?

I wish Mo would hurry up and get off the work.

Our brand comes on in 30 minutes.

What's it about?

El Nino, I think.

Hey, you guys, I haven't seen you in a while.

Well, when you get TV with cable and some free refreshments and stop sweating

us, you won't be able to get rid of us.

Hey, I said I haven't seen you. I didn't say I missed you.

Let's go.

It's over, guys.

I just got two flat tires.

What happened?

You know that sign that says do not back up severe tire damage? Yeah.

It's no joke.

What am I going to do, you guys?

You know, this may sound crazy, but why don't you get new tires?

Do you think money grows on trees, young lady?

If I buy new tires, I... can't pay my bills, and I can't just bounce my first

month's bills.

Like I said, Moe, just ask Mr. Mitch for the money.

No, I told him I could handle everything.

Oh, Moe, can I offer something here? Oh, thanks, Andale. You are a lifesaver,

but I don't know when I could pay you back.

Oh, please, girl. Advice is free.

Now, the one thing you don't want to do is mess up your credit. If I had better

credit, this would be a pizza hut in Beverly Hills.

for the sofa that we all sat on while watching cable on the TV. Y 'all talked

into getting as we sipped cold drinks I bought and you drank.

I was with you till you said pay.

Then it got confusing.

Man, I should have known better than to ask the accounting firm of poor, broken,

hungry for money.

Then let that be a lesson to you.

You gotta be practical.

Just go back to the necessities.

You're right.

I'll get the tires.

You can't watch the Lakers on a tire.

You need the TV and the cable.

Well, what am I going to do for transportation?

Do what we do. Bum a ride.

I am your ride.

Oh. Then you have to get the car fixed because Shante's 40th this weekend.

Look, I got it.

Get the car fixed. Then put five on the phone bill.

five on the cable, and then call homeboy rental life and tell him the check's in

the mail.

Knowing good and well that it's not, Niecy, I can't do that.

I know.

I'll get my car fixed, right? And I'll call all of my creditors and explain my

situation.

I'm sure they'll understand.

Well, a person with a budget plans for emergencies.

I love having my own.

The next time, I'll have a more realistic budget, and I'll stay out of

like Rent -A -Wife.

And until I can afford it, I'll make do with what I have.

After all, if I want to be treated like an adult, I have to act like an adult.