Hi,
When I eliminated TV my income doubled that year and has nearly doubled every year since. I challenge you to give up TV for the next 30 days to try it out - if you dare!
I'm not against "TV shows" per say - it's the endless mind-trapping that TV creates to keep you hooked and watching - the commercials, the next show coming up later, next week's episodes, etc. All that "non-sense" takes up a big chunck of your mind space and focuses of your unconscious mind in ways that aren't in your best interest. Instead...
Try Netflix or Blockbuster online.
You can still watch TV shows on DVD. And once you start watching shows this way, you won't ever be able to go back (no commercials, no waiting until next week for the next episode, and you get to watch on your schedule).
Now, the part of you that doesn't want to give up TV is probably saying stuff like this: "I watch educational shows on the Discovery channel" or "I have TiVo (DVR) and I can watch stuff when I want already" or "I can't disconnect the TV because my family likes to watch certain shows together" or "I only watch sports (which you can't watch on DVD)" or "I hardly ever watch TV" or "I don't drink or smoke - TV is my only vice, let me keep it".
First of all this is just the part of your mind that doesn't want to let go. These are all just "excuses". I had many of them myself before I gave up TV. For LIVE television (like sports or American Idol) you can make an event out of it and watch it with friends (at their house or at a sports bar). Everything else is better on DVD. And these days most TV shows come out on DVD a few months after the season ends.
If you have the courage to take the 30 Day "No TV Challenge", tell the world what you're going to do by posting your name and start date in the comments below.
Here's a list of DVDs to get you started...
Movies:
Phenomenon
Peaceful Warrior
Pay It Forward
Life is Beautiful
Akeelah and the Bee
Celestine Prophecy
Freedom Writers
Great Debaters
American History X
Coach Carter
Remember the Titans
Glory Road
Invincible
Braveheart
TV shows:
Avatar: The Last Air Bender (seasons 1, 2, & 3)
[this may be the best TV show ever made and it's an animated series]
Veronica Mars (season 1)
[one of the best single seasons of television ever! There are 2 more seasons, but they're just not as good]
Dexter (season 1) [warning -very dark, but very engaging. Also one of the best single seasons of a TV show. It's like watching a long twisty turny movie]
Heroes
Scrubs
My Name Is Earl
Smallville
Get started at www.Blockbuster.com/dvd58 (this link gives you a 30 day free trial) or http://www.Netflix.com
(I recommend that you start out with at least the "3 out at a time" plans because you'll be surprised how much free time you have when the TV isn't sucking it away.)
If you dare to take the 30 day "No TV Challenge" leave a comment below. Also share your favorite TV and movie recommendations too.
