Disbelief in one of our frugal habits

[Ramose]

As an Australian it seems strange to me that cable is considered a basic. Here we have Foxtel which is essentially the same thing but is considered a luxury. Foxtel is often one of the first things cut when people try to budget.

[Gailete]

As an Australian it seems strange to me that cable is considered a basic

I sure would consider it a luxury here myself. Too many people think they have to have what everyone else has and so sign up for these things even when they can't afford them. My in-laws next door rent a small home next to us. No matter who moves in there they all get a satellite dish for TV. Doesn't matter if they pay their rent, they always seem to maintain their cable account.


I find it odd that while our tax dollars help support people on welfare, I see them using their card for free food at the store while chatting on their cell phones which to me is also a luxury. If they can't afford to pay for their own food, how can they afford cell phones? Since we just tried to apply for some government help for a hospital bill but got turned down as 'having too many assets', I don't understand how others get on the dole and have all the gizmos we can't afford. Something is majorly wrong with our system these days.

[isaac]

My wife and I cancelled our DirecTV this August. They sent us an empty box to return our receivers, we boxed them up and mailed them back. Found $400 missing from my checking account from DirecTV for a "No Return Fee". Apparently it takes 30 days for them to process the receivers being returned, and the Fee is automatic after 5 business days. It's unavoidable. After 30 days when my Receivers were processed as returned they begun the Refund process, another 30 days. So I cancelled in August and I should be seeing my $400 in the next couple of weeks.

Anyway enough about DirecTV.

DW and I plugged a laptop into our Living Room TV. With $7.99/Mo/each for Hulu and Netflix, and a shady not so legal movie downloading program, there's almost NOTHING we can't watch on demand. Plus laptop serves as Pandora Radio we leave playing while cleaning and such, DVD/BluRay player, and right now i'm sprawled out on my couch with wireless keyboard typing up all this nonsense on my giant monitor

I get asked at work all the time "Have you seen that new commercial, it's so funny, with the guy, that does the.. thing!!" I always have to remind them I don't have a TV Service Provider and they give me the "sucks to be you" look. One guy actually asked if I was Amish, LOL.

[shiftins]

You can get netflix and hulu for cheaper than cable. For sports games I will go to the bar next door but besides that you are not limited to cable companies. Ive been using this option on my xbox and I have not payed for cable in a few years... Let them look I prefer this way.

[Ramose]

Doesn't matter if they pay their rent, they always seem to maintain their cable account.

That is just crazy!

[glamatomic]

DH & I haven't had cable tv / satellite for years. And yes, people look at us funny- especially since we don't even own a TV set!

Who needs it when there's Hulu and Youtube etc though?

When I worked for my State's Dept. of Energy some years ago- it used to amaze me how many people would call up the Call Center and say they couldn't pay their electricity bill because they had to pay their Cable bill. Yeah, lot of good your cable tv is going to do you without electricity!

[susie michelle]

I know many families who don't have a TV in my community. In fact, I sometimes feel strange because we do. I think it's a choice that is becoming more and more prevalent. Kudos to you for making the TV-free choice.

[PennyDime]

We have streaming from netflicks about $8/ mo and Apple TV if we absolutely need to buy a movie or show. It saves us close to $100 a month.

[AccountantSalary]

Not sure why anyone would find lack of cable unusual. Lots of folks rely on their computers for entertainment, such as college students, and do perfectly fine without pay tv. Having said that, I do have cable but almost never watch it live. I use TIVO to record everything and love that I control my viewing habits and not the TV.

[Gailete]

Not sure why anyone would find lack of cable unusual

I have visited frugal living boards where when someone with a tight budget that doesn't cover necessities and it is suggested that they cancel cable (since in general they barely could keep a roof over their heads and food on the table), you would think they were being told to give up their first born. Some with statements like, "my husband won't have anything to do if he doesn't have cable TV to watch". In my mind unless the guy is severely disabled, I'm thinking what about a second job to help with finances, help around the house, play with his kids, do yard work and other house repairs, take up a hobby, help the old lady next door, take up an inexpensive hobby, and the list goes on. Many just could never imagine a life without TV. My ex turned it on the moment he got up and he left it on as he walked out the door to work and since I turned it off the minute he left, he would turn it on again the minute he got home and it would stay on until he went to bed even if he wasn't in the room to watch it, yet even during some really lean times he had his cable-very frustrating, plus a waste of electric. Back then there wasn't computers, video players, etc. But still so many other things to do with your time.

[Fast_Eddie26]

I'm cable free and loving it. I have a lot more time to do other things I enjoy and the cost savings is great! I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

I use Hulu or youtube for when I decide to watch some videos. Otherwise I read or blog for fun.

[JoeP]

Many just could never imagine a life without TV. My ex turned it on the moment he got up and he left it on as he walked out the door to work and since I turned it off the minute he left, he would turn it on again the minute he got home and it would stay on until he went to bed even if he wasn't in the room to watch it, yet even during some really lean times he had his cable-very frustrating, plus a waste of electric. Back then there wasn't computers, video players, etc. But still so many other things to do with your time.

We grew up across the street from a family that had their TV on when at least 1 person was in the house. Only time they shut it off was when nobody was home, or it was past midnight. We referred to it as the Life Support System: if the TV was on, it was providing nutritive rays and noise essential for the existence of human life. We knew they were home by the shifting bluish glow of The TV against their family room drapes, so we didn't have to waste effort to call them or walk over to play with their kids. Plus they were one of the first to have cable.

[Gailete]

We referred to it as the Life Support System: if the TV was on, it was providing nutritive rays and noise essential for the existence of human life

LOL!!