Turn off the Cable TV

[sarah]

Frugality does not mean deprivation. Luxuries are acceptable life expenses as long as a person makes informed choices about them. Yes I know that the Tightwas Gazette author says that she uses cable usage to judge the frugality of a household. That doesn't neccessarily make her right. I choose to have staellite TV and yes it is expensive I also have netflix. Do I regret these expenses no. Do they make me less frugal maybe? Could I live without them. Absolutely. However I chose not to. I have neither satellite radio nor a cell phone. Are these frugal choices or lifestyle choices. I am not certain. In some ways I am extremely fortunate that I get to choose. Most humans don't.

[ren]

I think if I tried to get rid of cable (well, satellite) and DSL service, my roommates would kick me out of the house.

Hey, think of all the money I'd save on rent! Hmm...

Okay, joking over, my share of the bill ($15/month and $7/month) is small enough for what I get in return that I don't begrudge the money. Staying in touch and informed on the internet and TV's news, cartoons, documentaries, clear broadcast channels are worth it in my budget.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by sarah

Frugality does not mean deprivation.

True. I think frugality has more to do with having sensible priorities. For example, we first got cable TV earlier this year. We were both 42. What made us decide to do it? I had finished repaying my students loans and my wife had recently gone back to work after 10 years as a SAHM. So our expenses had dropped considerably and our income had jumped up. Treating ourselves to $10/month for cable seemed quite reasonable.

[cicy33]

I think not having cable would be soooo bad for my budget! between the internet and tv the entertainment keeps me from shopping! I use the internet so much that it is an investment not an expense