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Ready, set, go! Some extreme penny-pinchers are headed our way on TLC's Extreme Cheapskates.

THERE are various things people do for sports. Some climb mountains, some swim across oceans while some others dive into … dumpsters?

In TLC's latest half-hour reality series, Extreme Cheapskates, the lengths some people go to save money should be classified as a sport.

In the pilot, for instance, licensed accountant Kate Hashimoto gives viewers the 101 on the less-than-graceful art of dumpster diving.

Firstly, one must dress like a homeless person. She says it helps to put on a shabby, tattered tee to evoke sympathy should store managers chase her away.

Looking dumpster-ready, she heads to a curb by an upscale grocery store (who said beggars can't be choosers?) where leftover groceries are disposed. Pick only packed and sealed goods, she advises, and if it's gone beyond the expiry date, well, that's okay.

Lastly, know your rights. Should a store manager attempt to chase you away – despite your being all dumpster-glamorous – know that "once the trash hits the curb, it's public property".

Kate is just one of many who have discovered this cost-cutting sport. There's Ben who makes his own toothpaste, Jeff whose primary mode of transportation is his bicycle, and Greg who flushes his toilet once a week and makes extra income by participating in medical experiments.

Extreme Cheapskates is part-entertaining and part-heartbreaking to watch. Undoubtedly, the novelty of watching some of the wackiest, unthought-of cost-saving practices will have many glued to the tele.

But somewhere towards the second half of the show, it gets heart-wrenching as these individuals encounter situations that will "test" just how frugal they can get.

Kate, for example, is having friends over for dinner. Will she serve them her dumpster finds? And on Episode Four, Vickie's 13-year-old daughter complains that she has nothing to wear but an Amish-looking dress. Will the frugal mother take her to the store?

Here's where the sport of extreme saving becomes questionable. Serving your friends dumpster food might save you some ka-ching but it also puts you at risk of losing that friendship. And is it worth saving a few bucks on clothes at the expense of your teenage daughter's self-esteem?

If anything, Extreme Cheapskates proves that it costs to be cheap.

Extreme Cheapskates premieres today at 10pm on TLC (Astro Ch 707).

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 9 Julai 2013