i just re-read this old thread,
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/nationwide-casting-for-most-frugal-folks-57264.html (which is locked), and therefore it is with trepidation (I am being facetious...!) I announce that I am one of the freaks TLC was seeking. My episode will air in late October. They interviewed me for the pilot but passed on me. Then they got the greenlight for 8 new episodes, and contacted me to participate. I told them, "listen, I enjoyed watching the pilot, but I won't do this if you intend to make me out to be a nutjob". And they assured me....
YEAH WELL ooookay, so I am now Officially and Into Perpetuity, a Nutjob. But I HAD A BLAST!! And I did get a chance to perhaps convey a genuine message...we shall see!
FYI, I rarely post here but I peruse and enjoy daily...I joined up here right about when my life began to SUCK and my company was leeching my soul. I actually enjoyed my career until 5 years ago when I began to feel the corporate squeeze of "work more for less". When I was 25 I vowed to get out at 40. That didn't pan out, but I was content at 40 to adjust that goal and work a few extra years. I had decent balance then. By age 45 all that had changed and the fire (pun) to retire began to BLAZE
. I needed to validate my notion that I COULD get out early, and I wasn't unrealistic or naive. There are no family or friends in my circle that understood my passion to retire, or that said anything to me along the lines of, "you go girl, I know you can do it!". They all pretty much just thought I was "obsessed" with it. Frankly, I privately reflected that they've all just been victims to being told "you can't", and they don't question it. It frustrated me SO much that no one would even TRY to envision that you can live happily without having millions, and it's not in your birth agreement that you HAVE to work until you qualify for SSI.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this forum...the daily discussions, suggestions, humor, debates, ideas, and support to anyone who needs it are very comforting and are part of my morning tea. I worship my right to live life on MY terms and if I want to 'obsess' (not my word) about my money, I can do that in the company of other money-bright (my word) folks and get respect.
So.....my filming did involve some, uh, (extensive) "poetic license". Read Jeff Yeager's blog on his experience and I will vouch that mine was similar. Extreme Cheapskates: Behind the Scenes – AARP
Living frugal is a lifestyle that deserves the limelight, and this was an opportunity to share how I do it and pass along some much-needed inspiration in this gasping, choking, consumptive culture. You will have to ignore the "entertainment fodder" though to appreciate the genuine message underneath, if it can be discerned. At this point, I don't even know how it will roll...I tried very hard but it will most likely be just plain silly! I did the show because of the message, and because the medium was fun and different!
Victoria
http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f30/nationwide-casting-for-most-frugal-folks-57264.html (which is locked), and therefore it is with trepidation (I am being facetious...!) I announce that I am one of the freaks TLC was seeking. My episode will air in late October. They interviewed me for the pilot but passed on me. Then they got the greenlight for 8 new episodes, and contacted me to participate. I told them, "listen, I enjoyed watching the pilot, but I won't do this if you intend to make me out to be a nutjob". And they assured me....
YEAH WELL ooookay, so I am now Officially and Into Perpetuity, a Nutjob. But I HAD A BLAST!! And I did get a chance to perhaps convey a genuine message...we shall see!
FYI, I rarely post here but I peruse and enjoy daily...I joined up here right about when my life began to SUCK and my company was leeching my soul. I actually enjoyed my career until 5 years ago when I began to feel the corporate squeeze of "work more for less". When I was 25 I vowed to get out at 40. That didn't pan out, but I was content at 40 to adjust that goal and work a few extra years. I had decent balance then. By age 45 all that had changed and the fire (pun) to retire began to BLAZE
. I needed to validate my notion that I COULD get out early, and I wasn't unrealistic or naive. There are no family or friends in my circle that understood my passion to retire, or that said anything to me along the lines of, "you go girl, I know you can do it!". They all pretty much just thought I was "obsessed" with it. Frankly, I privately reflected that they've all just been victims to being told "you can't", and they don't question it. It frustrated me SO much that no one would even TRY to envision that you can live happily without having millions, and it's not in your birth agreement that you HAVE to work until you qualify for SSI.I LOVE LOVE LOVE this forum...the daily discussions, suggestions, humor, debates, ideas, and support to anyone who needs it are very comforting and are part of my morning tea. I worship my right to live life on MY terms and if I want to 'obsess' (not my word) about my money, I can do that in the company of other money-bright (my word) folks and get respect.
So.....my filming did involve some, uh, (extensive) "poetic license". Read Jeff Yeager's blog on his experience and I will vouch that mine was similar. Extreme Cheapskates: Behind the Scenes – AARP
Living frugal is a lifestyle that deserves the limelight, and this was an opportunity to share how I do it and pass along some much-needed inspiration in this gasping, choking, consumptive culture. You will have to ignore the "entertainment fodder" though to appreciate the genuine message underneath, if it can be discerned. At this point, I don't even know how it will roll...I tried very hard but it will most likely be just plain silly! I did the show because of the message, and because the medium was fun and different!
Victoria
