Running cord cutting thread

**creditcardfree** · 10-23-2016, 03:36 PM

About three years ago we installed an antenna in our attic so we could get good television reception in our semi rural home without cable. We used this site to determine signal strength for our address. I thought the map and signals were very accurate. We did notice the reception wasn't the best during lightening storms, but otherwise had no major issues.

Now we moved to a new place a year ago, and reception for channels we watch is terrible. So we now have limited cable again with Time Warner. We have internet included and our bill is about $90.

We use Ooma for phone service, paying less than $5 per month. (And the Ooma Telo is on sale through the end of the week if you click the link). I expect once our daughter leaves home we will eliminate home phone service all together.

And I wish I could go back to OTA. Maybe the next move!

**mo0n** · 10-23-2016, 03:59 PM

I bought my house in Feb 2013, and used the opportunity to cut the cord then.

I have a wall antenna that allows me to watch CBS, NBC, ABC, etc. The picture is actually pretty good. I subscribe to Netflix and Hulu. Hulu acts like a DVR, and Netflix is...Netflix. I currently pay $42 a month for the internet I use (I also game online, so I need a little faster than 5mbps), and Time Warner hasn't throttled my speed (AT&T will do that).

I'm big into sports, so I knew sacrifices were going to have to be made when I made the cut. I subscribe to SlingTV in March/April for NCAA March Madness, and sign up for NFL Game Pass to view NFL Games online (after the fact). Thankfully the Big Blue Nation of Kentucky spreads far and wide, and I have no issue viewing their games.

I don't miss cable or satellite. There was an adjustment period, don't get me wrong. But I like paying for what I use instead of for what I don't.

**disneysteve** · 10-23-2016, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by Weird Tolkienish Figure View Post

My cable is $160/month (2 HD boxes, 1 digital only box, phone, + internet)

We have not cut the cord, but I'd just suggest you check how much you will actually save. You will still need internet and phone, and they often hike the price for those services when you don't also have cable TV service from them.

Not saying you shouldn't cut out cable but before you do, make sure you know the actual savings so you can decide if it's worth doing.

**DaveInPgh** · 10-23-2016, 05:45 PM

A little over a year ago I cut back to Internet only with Verizon, who was not willing to give me a good deal for their Internet service without bundling it with services I no longer desired. My Internet only bill was over $70. I got an offer from Comcast for Internet and Local channels that came to about $55. Although I already was adjusting to live with Roku on one TV and an antenna on the other, it was a no brainer to take their offer.

Fast forward and that special bundle deal expired and my bill is up to $80.

I have no regrets from getting away from the high priced Cable TV packages.

However, cable or no cable, the frustration of having to jump back and forth remains.

**mcsewnab** · 10-23-2016, 07:08 PM

We cut the cord about 5 years ago. We were paying too much for cable and we didn't watch much TV. We replaced it with an antenna, Netflix, and Hulu. That covered more than the amount of TV we wanted in our lives.

We recently canceled Netflix so now we are down to Antenna and Hulu. We do have a Tivo Roamio OTA for a DVR that we also pay $10 a month for on top of the $8 for Hulu.

No issues for us making the change. We weren't really hard core TV watchers anyway. I think for some it may be an adjustment but for us it was well worth it.

**feh** · 10-24-2016, 03:54 AM

No cable or dish here for 8 years now. We get about 18 channels over the air. I also set up my own PVR, so we can record whatever we want.

We also stream content, using Netflix and Kodi software.

**GoodSteward** · 10-24-2016, 08:14 AM

I cut out dish a couple years ago, and just had ATT DSL. We used netflix and vudu streaming. Eventually we changed over to a new internet provider that was local and net only, so no worry of jacking up prices for no tv. RIght now we don't even have netflix. I just have amazon video and vudu. I get movies for 1-6$ typically from people who sell the codes. I also use Vidangle to rent movies for 1-2$ that filters the language and other things we don't want to see or hear from movies.

I could care less for mainstream tv, and I especially don't want commercials back.

**cypher1** · 10-24-2016, 09:06 AM

While I don't own a TV, I still stream certain shows on my PC or projector. Otherwise it's been 6 years now, that I pay 50 per month for DSL with no contract, and which has stayed at the same rate. I realize for the money the connection is much slower, vs cable. But the cable ISP always tried to upsell services (starting at 75) and raise rates each year.

With no landline I still pay 52 per month for cell phone, which is fine with me. I have other friends who pay premium for unlimited data for cell phone, replacing high speed internet at home. But I couldn't give up that connection (for work), for tethering off my phone.

**JoeP** · 11-04-2016, 01:42 PM

We have the following:
1. Broadband: $60/mo (no contract)
2. Netflix: $9/mo
3. AT&T no contract on 4 smart phones 25GB+rollover: $160/mo (no contract)
4. ChannelMaster 4228 antenna: ~$80 one-time expense
5. A Roku: ~$100 3 years ago
6. Google Voice to give us a virtual number and voice mail: free

I am simply amazed at the amount of content on Netflix. Our Roku can view youtube content and the Netflix we subscribe to, and also enables access to other services, some free (PBS) and some not (Hulu).

Take a look at Google Voice. It is a free and easy way to get voice over IP features, along with voice mail, and the ability to have it group call a number of cell phones. So our Google number is set up to ring my and my wife's cell phones, but people can also call either cell phone directly. This is good for family trips, so you never miss a call. My favorite feature is that we get a text transcription of the voice mails, and phone numbers are hyperlinks.

We are lucky in that we get Rochester and Buffalo stations with the antenna. There is some duplication, but the sub-channels offer many choices. We're also lucky we don't care about sports, and feel good about not subsidizing that industry.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 11-05-2016, 11:31 AM

$100 for internet and basic channels. Last year on deal it was $70 for internet. We're lucky to get internet for some reason we didn't have comcast when we moved into our rental. No other choice.

For home phone we use google voice and obihai. Have done so for years.

**Captain Save** · 11-08-2016, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

We have not cut the cord, but I'd just suggest you check how much you will actually save. You will still need internet and phone, and they often hike the price for those services when you don't also have cable TV service from them.

Not saying you shouldn't cut out cable but before you do, make sure you know the actual savings so you can decide if it's worth doing.

most people don't need phones anymore.. i don't have one in my household since we have cell phones.. but if so you can get a VOIP phone

get an introductory internet plan.. companies try to entice you with nice offers for a year... when the year is up, call them up and tell them you're going with the competitor.. they will either keep the same price or you just move on to their competitor..

However this does not work where the cable company has a monopoly ..

Running cord cutting thread