Move over Extreme Couponing, we now have a new breed of reality show savers. TLC has announced a new show called “Extreme Cheapskates,” where people go to extremes, of course, in order to save a buck.
The network promises to show us people who will “eat out of the garbage,” reuse toilet paper (huh, how?) and more.
One of the stars of the show, Jeff Yeager has been quoted as saying, “Leading a frugal life is so we can be generous to others. We’re quirky, but there is a serious message about the ethics of thrift.”
Most frugal people tend to feel the same way, but if I know the TLC network, the show will focus more on the quirky and less on the serious message of thrift. I’m sure that with skillful editing and plenty of voiceovers, the audience will be conditioned to be appalled at thrift and ready to wash away their distaste with plenty of shopping. After all, TLC does have advertisers to support.
Extreme Couponers has led to major changes in that people who have couponed for years have noticed. For example, most stores that sell groceries have changed and tightened their coupon policies. Manufacturers are issuing less coupons and for lower dollar amounts. Grocery shelves that were once fully stocked are now empty as fans of the show think nothing about grabbing every last roll of toilet paper in sight. There is now a type casting of people who use coupons as “crazy” or obsessed.
I wonder what extreme cheapskates will do to the name and practice of people who currently follow a frugal lifestyle.
I think for myself I will avoid this inevitable train wreck. I’m predicting that it will be just too painful to watch. The show is schedule to air this December.
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