Cut down the TV service

**am_vanquish** · 11-24-2010, 05:37 AM

We did the same thing in March, 2010. After 1 year of marriage, DW & I realized we spent a LOT of time watching television and decided we didn't want to grow old together as couch potatoes. We cut out cable originally to get more "quality" out of our time together. Our Comcast bill went from $94/month for internet + cable + DVR to only $28/month for internet. We used the savings on buying bikes to ride to the local park, and we're now saving for a kayak. Overall, it's been a rewarding experience to re-evaluate how we spend our time together.

Now when we watch television (which still averages 1 hour per day), we watch all shows on hulu.com, casttv.com, comedycentral.com, and sports on espn3.com. Casttv even has Showtime & HBO episodes ... channels we didn't even have back in 2009. Also, our home laptop PC has an HDMI output which allows us to watch shows for free online, but display them on our 46" television instead of crowding around a 13" laptop screen. The XBOX 360 also allows streaming sports on ESPN3.com and Netflix instant streaming directly to the big tv. Finally, we like that online tv episodes also function as a DVR because everything is "on-demand".

It's actually quite satisfying to know that we're getting all the same entertainment we had before, but saving over $700 a year.

**cjscully** · 11-24-2010, 01:03 PM

I took this plunge as well. For me, watching stuff online and using Netflix streaming are much better options than paying for a bunch of cable channels you don't really need/want to watch.

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 11-24-2010, 02:53 PM

I wonder how much money I have saved by never having had subscription television.

In adulthood, I did not even have a TV until age 28. When I got one, it was a little (11"? 13"?) black & white. I used to take it out of the closet when I wanted to use it. I'm on my second color tube TV now-- a small one.

Anyone else not pay for TV at all?

Cut down the TV service