Cable modem rental - NOT

[QuarterMillionMan]

I was also wondering about this myself. I'm currently on the promotion bundle and renting all of my equipment from the cable company. I wasn't sure if getting my own equipment would work, after the promotional rate ends. I rent the modem/wi-fi device. This information will encourage me to research buying my own equipment.

[disneysteve]

the modems that I would have to buy to be compatible would be in the 100-150 price range.

Don't be so sure. The modem I just got has a list price of $150. Amazon sells it new for $60. I got it used for $14. You might be able to get the one you need for a lot less than you think. Check Amazon and ebay.

[Thrif-t]

I'd love to do this because we just started getting charged for our modem but only 3.95/mo. We've had so many problems in the past with our internet and have gotten new modems for no charge. I'm afraid if I got my own then when there is a problem they won't come out and service me they'll just say it's my modem, but maybe it's the line. For the convenience of not having to worry about fixing my own service problems I'll stick with the 3.95 per month. Plus the modems that I would have to buy to be compatible would be in the 100-150 price range. If the rental prices jumps too much I may think about.

[disneysteve]

I decided recently that my goal this year was going to be to clean up some things in our financial lives. We used to be much more frugal, mainly out of necessity, and as our means increased, we loosened our belts and got a little sloppy.

The first thing I focused on was our cable bill. We had been on a promotional deal that ended recently and our bill jumped up. I called to see if there was a new promo I could get and there wasn't a deal that was worth it to me. So I cancelled part of our service package and knocked $18/month off the bill that way.

I then realized (actually already knew this but had forgotten) that we were renting our cable modem for $7/month. I looked on Amazon and was able to buy the exact same modem used for just over $14. I ordered that. It came the other day and I installed it today. I'll return the rented one to the cable company and start saving $7/month which will pay for the new one in just 2 months.

So if you are still renting a modem, stop doing it. It is way cheaper to buy your own.