Save Money & Your Brain - Get Rid of Cable TV

[cicy33]

As mentioned in another thread I pay way to much for cable and internet about $138 per month combined. I rarely watch tv, not due to morals or brain concern, just because I am usually on the net or doing housework. But the tv is on and I do watch it as I work. Usually disney, I love those silly shows. but I also love the stand up comedy and all the law and orders. We don't go to or rent movies so will keep my one horrible expense! my husband on the flip side, watches the news, weather and sports constantly.

[pearlieq]

We love our cable! The best price I could get here was $45/month for Dish Network, and I would cut it if needed, but as long as we have the means, we find it very enjoyable.

As for the alleged brain-rotting from TV, I don't buy it. You can watch mindless confections or informative programming. Or you can find a healthy balance between the two and be happy!

The same could be said for any type of diversion--you can read Archie Comics or Tolstoy. You can listen to Miley Cyrus or Vivaldi. You can play Hungry, Hungry Hippos or championship-level chess. There's room for everything.

[StanFatherof3]

I really thought our family would miss cable way too much to cancel it. Then, this winter we were without service for a couple of weeks. And, we got by just fine. So after talking it over with my wife, we decided to drop it. We have more time to spend together and I worry less about my littler ones seeing something they shouldn't on TV.

[cheap]

We spend way too much for cable/internet $150 per month. But we can afford it and I am ok in saying that I love tv. It is possible to watch tv and have other activities and interests.

[cicy33]

I called our cable company last night to see how much I could save if I didn't have the pay channels and digital cable. Thought if it was worth it I might just drop down to extended basic cable and internet. It will drop my bill less than $20. Apparently I get a deal for the internet with a package deal.

[Dingobiscuit]

I pay $162/month after taxes and fees for:

• Digital Cable with HD, including 9 premium channels (Encore package)
• 2 DVRs
• High-speed Cable Internet
• Digital telephone
• Price-lock for 24 months

That is pretty good for all of that junk.

[cschin4]

No. I like TV. I like watching HGTV, the Food Channel and assorted shows. So, I will pay what it is worth to me. If it gets too expensive and I no longer enjoy it, then I will disconnect.

[ThriftoRama]

Funny. People are always amazed that I live without cable TV. My sister's friend once asked me "what do you do all night without TV?" My thought was "can you really not think of anything else to do but watch TV?"

I didn't have the heart to tell her that I didn't even own a TV for the first 6 years I was living on my own. I only missed it when I wanted to rent a video.

Now, our TV is used mostly to watch free DVDs from the library.

Although, my hubby has mentioned getting cable, so he can watch NBA finals without going to a bar. That might actually save us some money!

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by ThriftoRama

My sister's friend once asked me "what do you do all night without TV?"

Isn't that a sad statement on our society? I do watch TV, probably more than I need to, but if I sit down in the evening, run through the channels and don't find anything interesting to watch, I turn off the TV and go do something else. And some nights I never even turn the TV on because I'm busy doing other things.

[Beckiboo]

Originally Posted by ThriftoRama

Although, my hubby has mentioned getting cable, so he can watch NBA finals without going to a bar. That might actually save us some money!

We got Direct TV a few years ago so dh could watch sports. It would be hard to go back to local channels only, although I often don't watch TV for days at a time due to kids playing video games or watching DVDs. I don't think dh could go without TV anymore than I could go without internet service, though! Just beware, ThriftoRama, that sports lovers want to add the sports packages, which can add up quickly especially if you upgrade for several different sports!

[KatieNK]

What will happen when everything goes digital, in terms of antenna users? I know you need a box but what will reception be like?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by KatieNK

What will happen when everything goes digital, in terms of antenna users? I know you need a box but what will reception be like?

It should be crystal clear because it will be digital. It should be as clear as digital cable or satellite.

[eisor]

We got married 9 months ago and went about 4 months without cable or internet. We just couldn't live without internet any longer. So, we found $14.99 cable internet and ordered it. Well, the small print required that you have cable as well. So, for $19.99 we get BASIC (very very basic) cable and internet. Plus, we got our modem for free and we made a $50 profit on all the mail in rebates. So, 2.5 months free!

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by KatieNK

What will happen when everything goes digital, in terms of antenna users? I know you need a box but what will reception be like?

The only people that will be affected are the bunny ear people. and I have heard there is a place on tv they advertise they can call to get that fixed. not sure what it is. My understanding is you don't need a box if you already have cable. Part of my cable is with a box and part is not.

[Daylily]

So glad to find that there are others out there that don't have cable or dish! When I tell people that I don't have it they look at me like there must be something wrong with me!

For a long time we only had about four channels. About a year ago, DH had a digital-ready antenna installed in our attic and now we get a couple extra channels - for a total of three PBS channels! I'm so happy to have the extra PBS channels because that's mostly what we watch anyway.

I agree with some of the other posters though, I'd be happy to get rid of the TV altogether. When DH is away on business, there are days that I don't even turn the thing on!

Don't even get me started on households with multiple TVs. I think my parents have six televisions! Gasp! for TWO people. In light of that, perhaps you can understand why I am not a television fan.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

We pay $132/month for cable, internet, phone.

Cable includes HD-DVR, Second DVR and all digital channels. Internet is super fast FIOS (fiberoptic).

We don't have netflix or blockbuster. So we usually watch baseball games during the summer, absolutely love HD, and hockey/football/basketball during the winter. We leave it on as background noise usually.

DH and I both work on the computer a bit at night (we have no kids). Though recently we're obsessed by Mario Kart Wii.

[vsjhoc]

My DF and I knew we were meant for each other when we discovered that neither of us has, has ever had, or wants to have, cable TV.

[AmbitiousSaver]

We pay $150/mo for cable, internet, phone. I need the internet for work (I work from home) and phone was cheaper with the cable company... and cable with DVR has saved DH and I a lot of arguments.

BUT this thread did prompt me to call my cable company and ask WHY they always advertise $99.85 a month for bundled service and I pay $150

We have some additional features but just cause I called to complain, they lowered my bill to $130 for the next 12 months without having to give up any features.

[creditcardfree]

Originally Posted by AmbitiousSaver

We have some additional features but just cause I called to complain, they lowered my bill to $130 for the next 12 months without having to give up any features.

Way to go!! It does pay to call occassionally and see if there are better offers. We are cable free here...but have internet, phone, cell phones and unlimited long distance for about $140.

[MomofFour]

We pay $20 a month for the "family package" from Dish Network. We just recently got a digital converter box for our tv, and it actually added some channels to the regular tv now. So, there is almost always cartoons to be found on regular tv. I'm thinking more seriously about cancelling Dish!