Two years ago, my son’s soccer team didn’t have a coach for 1 particular season, so our soccer organization asked the parents of my son’s team if one of us wanted to become the coach for that season.  I wanted to do it, but my wife talked me out of it because of my lack of experience.

So instead another dad took over, but he knew less that I did.  Now two years later he is the coach and unfortunately not the best choice.  I missed my opportunity, but it’s my own fault and although it’s a small regret, I kn0w that I will regret it for the rest of my life.  Believe in yourself, even if others don’t…  they don’t know your capabilities and passion!

So today when I was reading an article at www.freemoneyfinance.com called Would You Waste a Year of Your Life for $100k?, I saw an incredible opportunity, but not for me at my current stage in life.  The deal was the coupon site Groupon would pay a person $100,000 if they try and live on coupons only (no cash) for a year.

Now personally, with me having two kids I couldn’t do that, but if I were a college student, this would be a great challenge!  Especially if the student could take a few classes online.  The company payed for the person to stay in a hotel for a year, so living accomadations was taken care of.

Most of the freemoneyfinance commenters shot this down, but I think this opportunity requires a 2nd look, and below is a list of reasons why:

• This person (a male) would learn to be an frugal expert via saving with coupons!
• The company might pay him after the fact as a spoke person
• TV show might find him appealing and so he might get paid interviews after the experiment.
• He would write a book about what he learned since he would be the ultimate coupon using expert!
• He might even develop a seminar that taught others his tricks.
• He gets $100,000 and free living conditions!!!
• The limited contact with others would enable him to concentrate on his studies (this would be like getting payed to study… a win win)!
• Did I mention that he gets $100,000?  That’s a lot of money for a college student!
• Fame!!!  This is definitely a feather that you could put in your hat.  At the very minimum, it would be a great family story!!!

So, I think this would be a great opportunity for a college student, especially if he could do that college year via online classes!  I would take some of my hardest classes that period, since I couldn’t do much else!

Yes, while I couldn’t do it now (wife, kids, etc), I would definitely do it as a college student.

What I make of it after the experiment is over and I have $100,000 in my pocket…, would depend on how ambitious and creative I was…

So, do you think this is a hidden opportunity, a diamond in the rough so to speak?

-MR