So I got this pretty interesting email yesterday about cashing in your life and pursuing your dreams once and for all. Like, someone literally handing you a check and saying “Let’s do this!!”
Only the catch is your every move will be filmed and broadcasted on national television :)
What I got was a casting notice for a new show coming out titled “Cash In Your Life.” And they sent it to me in hopes I’d share it with you all (mission accomplished!). One pitch out of the 2,038 I deleted this week – hah.
Why exactly did I feel like sharing this with you today? Well, for starters, I find it all kinds of fascinating and wanted to see what you thought. But secondly, I’m hoping one of you will make it on the show so I can live vicariously through you :)
Here’s what the email read, which can also be found on backstage.com:
A new television series is seeking out couples and families for a chance to cash in their lives for a fresh start!
Have you always wondered, what if? What if you had followed your dreams? What if you no longer had the job you don’t love? Maybe your real calling is to open up a bed & breakfast, a boutique, or run a yacht charter.
Whatever your dream may be, we are ready to pull out the stops, appraise your life, and offer you a check to cash in and start the life you have always wanted.
Doron Ofir Casting is on a nationwide search for couples that are tired of being in the same old rut, with the same old job and want to find out what their lives are really worth!
If you are finally ready to roll the dice and turn your fantasy into reality then apply now.
Will you Go Big or Stay Home? This can change your life forever!
I initially posted this up on my facebook page just to see what people thought, and after a few of the comments came in I realized this was going to be a juicy one. One person chimed in with “Not in a million years. I wouldn’t do it (and will still pursue my dreams)!” and then the next one down, “I think I’m going to try it!” Haha… Gotta love how different we are ;)
If you’ve heard enough and want to apply, you can do so on backstage.com. Just make sure to come back afterwards and tell us you did so we can root for you, and I can ask for my 6-pack of beer as a thanks!
Personally, I’d be the worst candidate for the show. First off, I avoid drama like the Dalai Lama (oooh, check out them rhymes). Secondly, I’m already following my dream. And it certainly didn’t happen over night (though I wouldn’t mind getting a big fat check to “cash out my life” and then just move my laptop over to a new house, haha… do you think they’d allow that?).
If I were playing along, however, and, say, the internet just exploded leaving me entirely career-less, there are a few jobs I wouldn’t mind pursuing…
- Treasure hunter! I could spend all day looking for coins and shipwrecked gold. Screw dinosaurs.
- Kicker for the Washington Redskins. I don’t know how they’d get me this gig, but I’d like to think I could do a good job since I was a decent soccer player growing up. And since I’m “too tiny” to play football (as my mom always reminded me), I wouldn’t have to worry about being tackled too much ;)
- Mark Cuban’s or Warren Buffet’s assistant. I’m not picky who.
- The guy who’s in all those Corona ads. You know, the guy with the perfect legs on the perfect beach who’s always with the (what looks like) perfect woman? All he does is lay there and drink beer! How much does he get paid for that?
I also have a “real” list of jobs I’d like to try one day too, but those are even worse for reality TV… And I’m pretty sure my application would be considered a prank:
- Starbucks Barista (I love coffee!)
- Bartender (I love beer!)
- Barnes & Noble employee (I love the smell of books!)
- Garbage Man (I love
trash… working outside) - Nurse (just call me Jaylord Focker!)
- The Bachelor (you know why)
Full-Time Blogger(completed!)- Banker (money!!!!)
- Professional Poker Player (I’d get to hang out with my professional poker player friend!!)
Charity Founder(completed!)
Needless to say I won’t be applying for this life-changing role :) If I truly cared for any of these jobs I’d like to think I’d already be working towards them. With maybe the exception of the Redskins kicker (wouldn’t want to embarrass them even more, if that’s possible) and the Corona guy/Bachelor (don’t feel like getting divorced). The fun, alternate-universe-me, however, would be all over them!
I also wonder about a lot of the lines in that casting ad so excitedly presented to us. Such as…
“…a chance to cash in their lives for a fresh start” – Sounds both amazing and horrible at the same time. Amazing that you can just up and change your entire life completely on the spot, and horrible if it means you’d been living a pretty $hitty life up to this point. Unless you just happen to be bored/needing a change/an ultimate thrill seeker. In which case, back to amazing again!
“Have you always wondered, what if?” – This is the quite possibly the WORST phrase in the entire world – “what if.” It usually leads to loads of drooling and dreaming with no action taking whatsoever. And I know, because I do it all the time and it drives myself crazy! Haha… The only time I really like playing the “what if” game is when I’m about to drop some dolla dolla bills on the lottery (*gasp*). If you can’t dream there, I don’t know where you can!
“…appraise your life, and offer you a check to cash in and start the life you have always wanted.” – This line intrigues me the most. How does one go about appraising another’s life? What are all the factors included? I can’t even wrap my head around it, haha… and half-tempted to apply JUST to find out what my life is worth!
“…couples that are tired of being in the same old rut, with the same old job and want to find out what their lives are really worth!” – This is also depressing (especially the “lives are really worth” part?!), but of course will make for excellent television. I do wonder, though, why you have to be a couple or family? No solos allowed? The drama would be too little?
“…roll the dice and turn your fantasy into reality” – Sounds like a gambling ad…
“Will you Go Big or Stay Home?” – No room to do both? Blasted… Though that’s certainly the case for overnight success. But could you then really consider this a “success” if it’s all given to you on a silver platter? Wouldn’t you want to accomplish it all on your own? Am I reading too into this and spoiling the fun for everyone?? Haha…
The moral to all this, of course, is to be working towards your goals NOW and not waiting for overnight success. And if you then happen to be one of the lucky ones to be granted such dreams in a flash, even better. Just don’t get caught playing the “what if” game forever!
Now who’s gonna apply for this crazy life-changer?? What dream job would you pick? Or are you an old (conservative) fart like me just hustling the old fashioned way?
Here’s the link again to learn more/apply: backstage.com. I think I’ll shoot off a few emails to Mr. Cuban just to get in on the dreaming… I don’t want to come off as too boring over here! ;)
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There’s no way I’d want to be on national TV, even for a ton of money! Other than being a mile away from my financial goals, I’m pretty happy with my life and the path I’m on, and would feel much better about reaching my financial goals on my own than taking a short cut this way (I’d be totally boring on TV too – although I’m open to any other short cut ideas! ).
But if I did decide to participate, I’d love to be a professional investor (hopefully on my way already!), or an international exotic golf course player / tester (as opposed to playing professionally which I certainly couldn’t do!)
Could you imagine a show dedicated to professionally investing? Haha… SNOOZE FEST. It would literally last 30 seconds too – “I just clicked this button and poured all my money into index funds – done.” ;)
Unless you go the Shark Tank “investing” type route. Then it’s on!
Interesting concept, but I want to earn my success by working my ass off. I want to be able to look back and say ‘hell yeah, I did that’. That said, I’d definitely watch that show but I wonder where the conflict will come in – I mean if the protagonist has nothing to lose (because they are being paid by this show), where’s the challenge?
It would be even better if they added a twist: “If you fail at your new career you have to pay back that check we just sent you!” Haha… Though I can GUARANTEE you’d figure out a way not to fail! In which case it would help you!
What an intriguing idea. I suspect that the reason they are not recruiting singles is because they anticipate more drama in a family that chooses to take this gamble. I would also be interested to find out what my life is “worth,” but I would definitely not want to have to be on TV to find out! I’m happy with my life right now and doubt that “cashing it in” would improve things. :-). I’ll probably watch the show if and when it airs though!
Hmph. Single person bias again!
(Not that I would do this in ONE MILLION YEARS.)
(I assume that with the couple thing, they’re going for relationship drama — inevitably there’s going to be conflict there because of all the new situations.)
Not entirely sure what the conflict is here (what is preventing people from just taking the money, doing the new thing for a little while, and then go back to their old lives)? I mean if they offered me enough money to be FI I’d take it. Though I doubt that’d be the case. Also, I’m pretty sure SO and I would be TV-poison. Well maybe just me, since I’d just go back to get my PhD. SO would be more interesting with his clothing boutique.
Now I almost want to sign up…
Haha… if you make it on you better tell us ;)
I’m definitely not going to apply, I imagine they need to get someone who will jump all in to a new life and then hate the results. Thereby providing all sorts of reality tv level drama and conflict.
Here are a few scenarios that came to mind: The guy who dreamed of running a deep sea fishing boat – then it turns out he gets seasick
The person that always wanted to run a bar/restaurant/BnB – but they have horrible biz skills and hate any sort of conflict with customers/employees
So… nope not for me. I’m pretty sure that they don’t want to give me a chunk of money so I can retire early and spend more time with the family :)
I would totally watch that deep sea fishing episode, haha…
I absolutely love your list. Heck, I would love to be the kicker for the Skins. Except I’m female and can’t kick worth a damn. I actually entertained professional poker player at one point in my life, but then I looked at the realities and they’re all freaking broke (or at least go broke at some point). Also, tried to get a job in a bookstore when I was a graduate student. They are surprisingly hard to come by. Kudos on the list.
I actually have a friend who is (was?) a professional poker player. He had mad ups and downs with it all and shared it with us years ago:
https://budgetsaresexy.com/2009/08/confessions-of-online-poker-player/
I still want to try it one day :)
An interesting idea for sure, sounds like a show I’d watch. I’d certainly need more details before I would even consider applying and would need to get the approval from the wife and kids.
I want to be a starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals….I find it interesting that in these challenging times… this guy…a right-hander no less… gets $210M for 7 years…$30M a year…I believe he will pitch every 4th day IF he stays healthy…Sooo with 162 games that’s 40 games he’ll appear in…That comes out to $750K PER GAME…before taxes…and “meal money”. Yep this is the life I would want….
That would do ;)
Real World when I was like 19 yes, Cash in Your Life now that I’m 32, gonna pass but I do like the ideas of what would you try to be if every door was open for you.
I think being a GM for a professional sports team would be my ultimate, well an owner would probably be the top, but how would they even get me that spot, like excuse me Mr. Cuban this guy is taking over please step aside we are from Cash in Your Life.
Right?? And w/ Mr. Cuban you’d also get to learn about investing in companies (can accompany him on shark tank!) business, and just learn from a really freaking SMART person overall. Damn.. Now I’m tempted to apply! ;)
“find out what your life is worth” ya, I’m interested to see how that’s done too. I’d consider applying, if, you know, they think my life was worth a lot…
Is this open to Canadians as well?
That’s a good question, I don’t know?
I’ll email them and update this thread if they email back :)
U.S. only – sorry.
I think my wife would leave me if I even suggested we think about something like this, lol. Seriously though, I’ll take the old fashioned hustling any day over drama on national TV since I’m already following my dream. Though, if I did have nothing maybe they could get me a spot on the Cowboys roster. :)
I would actually consider this (I would go for writing and filming my own movie!) except for two things:
1) They are looking for couples/families so as a single person looks like I don’t qualify.
2) With my student debt they would probably appraise my life and I would end up owing them money XD
Haha… I like the writing and movie filming idea though! That would be interesting to watch!
If someone wants to follow their dreams but needs an extra push… this show would be perfect! I would love for a PF blogger to be accepted! That would be fantastic for their blog, as well!!! Cool concept for a show.
Wow sign me up…..to watch the show! lol! I also do think you can go big AND stay home! I think everyone does have a little bit of that fantasy to just say “F it” and go move to a quaint European town and try something new…or maybe that’s just me. But I don’t think I’d just cash in my entire life to do it…it would probably require some careful planning and a whole lot of hard work. I can’t wait to watch this show though!
That’s an intriguing opportunity. We’d probably pass since we’re blogging anonymously. Tempting though. I wonder if the check would be big enough to just reach FI immediately. :)
Hah! I think we’d be a ‘no’ since I doubt they’d allow Frugal Hound to do her houndy thing on the show. Also, I would not enjoy being filmed. Also, they would quickly decide that Mr. FW and I are the most boring, drama-free people on earth (“and there they go on a hike again; bet they’ll go to bed at 10pm again tonight too; this is not making good television…”).
On the other hand, maybe we could broadcast the benefits of frugality and old-man hobbies to the world (again, probably not something that would yield high ratings…).
My first reaction is to be careful of getting fame the wrong way. A reality tv show has so many downfalls to image, that I would be hesitant. Now becoming famous by being an author, now that’s sexy. I’m still confused over the concept, and how you will be selected to win the big money?
Hey, any other singletons want to submit a fake couples application to see if we get contacted? Obviously would need to ‘fess up at that point. I’ll be First Mate on a yacht charter.
Haha… I’ve heard a lot of people do fake it to get on these types of shows actually – especially the dating types. Then again, a lot of these shows are also scripted so would it really matter in the end as long as the ratings are good?
If you’re already in “retirement” I think that sounds like fun. If your still in your career though, it would definitely set you back on your journey to FI.
Interesting, but I won’t be signing up. I like you list of “real” jobs though, so diverse, haha.
Nope. Made a promise to myself never to go on a tv show unless it’s Wheel of Fortune because I kick butt at that. ;-)
Hahahhaha… that’s a funny promise to make :)
Dunkin Donuts was my favorite job ever. Worked with some of my best friends and wife (girlfriend at the time). I didn’t even like coffee then. What a waste!
I wonder if this is going to end up like a lot of those people who win the lottery. Then they realize that it’s still not making them happy and that they have to fundamentally accept who they are before they can even make improvements.
Probably… And then the show will merge with that other one about winning and then losing all those millions. Two for one :)
Heck no I wouldn’t want that type of drama in my life. Reality shows always pick the people who are going to create the most so that they can have a good tv show. I’m already slugging away at things I want to do anyway though so it’s not really something I’d even consider!
The one thing I would like to do, but when I’m an old grumpy lady, is to have my own food truck and just sell whatever I like off it. I can drive all over LA and curse everyone out on the road! And of course I’ll invite other old grumpy friends of mine to join my adventure. Super random…
When you’re ready to do that (provided food trucks and all other cars aren’t flying through the air like the Jetsons by that point), let me know. One of my friends runs the popular site FoodTruckFiesta.com and has mad connections in the food truck industry :)
I’ve got a good thirty years or so before I’m officially considered old and grumpy:P If I’m not senile by then I’ll bug ya about that!
I applied – wish me luck. We’re debt free so I guess our “lives” would be worth a lot of cash. If they paid us enough to open a business it may be worth the cameras. We’ll see!
AWESOME!!!!
I HOPE YOU WIN!!!
Thank you for reminding me why I don’t have cable!
I realized that I was going to apply…..but then when it asked me what my job was, I was about to say, “Well, technically unemployed, but BLOGGER, baby!” Then I realized, “I’m already living my dream!” :)
‘Nuff said. HA! :)
Serena
I still think you should apply :) You could open up your own refinishing/flipping/furniture building store!!! I mean, you can already do this now if you wanted to, but it would be a nice jump start haha… as long as you didn’t have to give up the blog and what not… which, I guess you would, so in that case scrap this entire comment – hah.
I would absolutely cash in my life, but unfortunately I don’t think the show would have the lofty budget I would need to live my life (retire).
Instead, I’m already working on ways to change my work life, to do what I love. Hopefully I’ll be able to announce it on my blog in the next 8 weeks.
Rock on!! Excited to see what that is!
This offer seems to be pretty exciting! I myself would try this, thinking this as a opportunity. I think it really depends on how we see this offer whether it may bring good or bad. Thus, it needs “decision-making”.
I would definitely try out if I was still stuck in my old job. Life is awesome now so it’d be tough to drop that and go work in some “dream job.” Self employment is the best. I don’t think I can go back and work for someone else.
I don’t think you’d have to go work for someone else necessarily here, but I agree you wouldn’t want to give up the good life for a shot of a “maybe but probably not” good life in front of national TV haha…
Yes! I mean no. I mean Yes! So no. Absolutely. Never. I guess that means it depends on how the wind is blowing on a day that I’m looking at such a site. So at this moment it’s a definite no. Maybe. :)
I think you should apply and see how far you get and then see where the wind is blowing on decision day :)
I have a lot of dreams, but dreams, as well as people, change all the time! I wouldn’t want a camera crew following me around as I navigate my life and my goals, no matter how much they paid me!
I’m a pretty private person, hence being semi-anonymous in the blogosphere. To be honest, I’m not even sure what my dream job would be, so I don’t think I’d be a good candidate. I’m also quite introverted, so another reason not to be on the show. :)
I love the smell of books too! They should extract that scent and sell it as a bottle of perfume or potpourri.
Haha I agree. I know they have one for the smell of money actually!