Cutting out cable, building my own collection

[Radiance]

Hello,

I finally decided to cut cable ($40 a month)
My morning programs are in public television, so no problem here.
Where can I get the following cheap in DVD or VHS:

Spongebob.
Mickey clubhouse.
Elmo, don't forget about Elmo!
Music programs for kids.
Handy Manny.
Thomas the train.
Other?

For the adult of the house:
Discovery Channel type programs
History Channel type programs
Pixar movies (my favorite of all times is Monster Inc, I've watch it more than 10 times) , erg, well, I guess this is for me as well as for my son

My idea is get one per month...

Thank you!

[momof1in150]

You can get videos for free from your library. Buying videos for young children is a waste of money. Your son shouldn't be watching TV yet anyway. Sorry, you asked and it is how I feel.

[Radiance]

Honest opinions are just fine! no problem momof1.

I still want to get some DVD/VHS and I would like to know where can I do that dirty cheap. Remember some are for me too. :-D

I am indeed getting some from the library. Although I forgot to renew once and got a fine!!! arg

[graceful]

Did you check on craigslist or ebay yet?

I had 2 shopping bags full of VHS tapes that I gave to my god brother last year for his baby. Talked to him last month - it's still in the garage because they haven't hooked up the VCR. Argghh!! Mostly Seasame Street and Sing-along tapes.

I know for adult programing, check out hulu.com for on-line streaming of shows. DH is the knowledgeable one about things like this - I just watch.

If we ever had to cut back or buy a house, cable would be the first to go.

I'll look around the house to see if there are any stray tapes or dvds left - if so they are yours.

Another idea, if you still have cable for the next few days, tape the shows on your VHS. A 200min tape will hold quite a few shows. When you get to the end of the tape, it's time to re-wind and the tapes in the beginning are new again.

I use to tape the educational shows for my kids because I never liked the crap that was on TV at the times I allowed them to watch.

Good luck.

[Radiance]

Thanks graceful!
I'm diving in craiglist and ebay tonight.

And you are very sweet to offer some tapes/dvd.
My dvd player and the vhs are hooked up! ;-)

I am not savvy enough to record the programs....

[am_vanquish]

I 'm not sure if the the objective here is to cut discretionary spending or provide entertainment for less. If it's the first, go with the library suggestion. If it's the latter, then I suggest Netflix. Even though it's discretionary, we feel like we get a good value out of the $10 we spend no our membership every month. For $10/month, we can fit in 2-3 movies per week. Not as good as the library, but much better than the theatre and traditional rental stores. I belive Blockbuster has a similar program where you can get movies on-line OR in-store, but I'm not positive.

Be honest, how often do you watch DVDs that you buy? It is rarely more than once. Having a "collection" of something like this seems unwise ... especially when DVDs become obsolete to HD/BluRay or whatever else is next. I can only imagine what my grandparents have done with their massive collection of VHS ... paperweights?

[graceful]

Originally Posted by am_vanquish

Be honest, how often do you watch DVDs that you buy? It is rarely more than once. Having a "collection" of something like this seems unwise ... especially when DVDs become obsolete to HD/BluRay or whatever else is next. I can only imagine what my grandparents have done with their massive collection of VHS ... paperweights?

I think she was keeping cable primary so that her child could watch the educational programs on PBS and some other children programs on TV.

$40 a month for that was too much is money was so tight. A child's video library would make more economical sense since kids (esp. really young ones - around 2yo) watch the exact same shows over and over by choice. And also because it sounds like she limits the TV watching to 30 minutes in the morning while she is getting ready and maybe another 1 to 2 hours for the week.

[graceful]

Don't forget freecycle. I never had much use for that site but I hear it works in some areas of the country.

[Radiance]

Well, yes,

We watch one 30 min program in the morning while we get ready and that is on public television.

In the evening I let him watch 1 spongebob episode and I watch one iCarly episode. Easy watching, unwinds very nicely. This is right before his bed time.

During the weekends we watch 1 hour tv per day in the afternoons so I can get some phisyical rest. This is handy manny or similar.

I do not remember when was the last time I watched an "adult program"

I think at this point 2-3 Spongebob dvd or VHS will cover for a while plus some library borrows. But if I can get some other programs that would be nice. Nothing big, maybe a total of 10 bought over 10 months. I think that should be reasonable.

I do recognize this is a WANT and not a NEED.I am on a crunch for numbers, but baby steps work better for me.
If I embark in too many big changes too fast I end up failing, getting depressed, etc etc.
As easy as I can do it. Self dicipline with self-patience, easy, gentle.

Thanks everybody, good stuff.

[Radiance]

Will chek all this resources and report back!

[disneysteve]

Just for the record, not all libraries lend DVDs for free. Ours charges a rental fee.

I would check thrift shops and yard sales, craigslist, ebay, half.com and Amazon.

As for the adult shows, see how many of them are available for free online. Go to the network's website, like Discovery channel's site or History channel's site. Also check hulu.com and fancast.com. Remember that sites that let you view the show online are usually okay but sites that allow you to download the actual file of the episode are generally illegal so avoid those.

[Broken Arrow]

I don't know how you feel about this, but netflix starts out at $9 per month. With that, you get unlimited DVDs, but only one mailed to you at a time. However, you also get certain programs streaming, which is great if you have broadband.

That's what I am trying out right now, but I have to say, I like it so far.

Oh, and don't forget Hulu, which is currently free.

[disneysteve]

Another option - ask a friend or family member to record a tape full of episodes of the shows you want and watch them. When you get bored with those, have them record more. All that will cost you is the price of a blank tape.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

If you have a little time to mix with other parents when you are at your child's day care, put out the word that you are interested in borrowing DVDs/tapes. Once you have a few of your own, you, too can join in on lending/swapping tapes.

[Radiance]

Now you got me!
Isn't VHS and VCR the same thing?
I guess not?
My equipment says CD/DVD/VHS player

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by Radiance

Now you got me!
Isn't VHS and VCR the same thing?
I guess not?
My equipment says CD/DVD/VHS player

VCR is a device, VHS is a video format

With the exception of some old BETA format players of yesteryear, VCRs play (and can record to) VHS tapes

[Radiance]

There are several spongebob VHS for under $3 in sites like alibris,craiglist, ebay, google search provides options as well, shipping sucks though...And it is 4-6 episodes
DVD seasons volumes (20 episodes) can be found for about 8 including shipping.
While it is more expensive, I lean towards DVD also because they use less space...
I joined my local freecycle, if I get approved to join will let you know how it goes.
amazon has used Monster Inc for $12 including shipping :-)

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Radiance

There are several spongebob VHS for under $3 in sites like alibris,craiglist, ebay, google search provides options as well, shipping sucks though...And it is 4-6 episodes
DVD seasons volumes (20 episodes) can be found for about 8 including shipping.
While it is more expensive, I lean towards DVD also because they use less space...
I joined my local freecycle, if I get approved to join will let you know how it goes.
amazon has used Monster Inc for $12 including shipping :-)

$8 for 20 episodes isn't more expensive than $3 for 4-6 episodes when you look at it on a per episode basis. DVDs are also much more durable and long-lasting. Plus, they can also be played on your computer or a portable device like a laptop or portable DVD player when you travel. I wouldn't be buying VHS tapes today at any price.

$12 is a lot for Monsters, Inc. Half.com has multiple copies listed starting at $4.75 plus $2.99 shipping.