I’m thinking a lot about self-employment and want to be as prepared as possible. As part of that, I’ve been reviewing our budget closely (we’ll post the full budget soon) and hunting for areas where we can cut or eliminate spending. Cable TV has come up repeatedly in those conversations.
There are other reasons we’re considering dropping cable beyond the money. We spend a lot of time watching TV and often question whether it’s worth it.
There are a few shows we feel we really need to follow—Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, The Walking Dead, and so on—but most of what we watch is just mindless procrastination that keeps us from things we should be doing.
I’ve also noticed many people watch the same shows while paying far less than we do. Some pay nothing at all; others spend only a small monthly amount, such as $10. If we can save money without losing value, why wouldn’t we?
I’ve even received some criticism on the blog for wanting to cut costs. With the unpredictable income of self-employment, I want our baseline expenses to be as low as possible. We still want to have fun—there are plenty of free and low-cost activities to enjoy—but if we can get the same enjoyment for less, it’s a sensible change.
What do we pay for cable now?
Right now we pay $57 a month, including taxes and fees, for a very large channel package that even includes HBO. The bill would be higher if I didn’t call every six months to negotiate a discount. That simple call usually results in a lower rate—likely because many customers are cutting the cord.
Would we be more productive without all those extra channels?
About $60 a month won’t break us financially, but I wonder if spending less on channels would make us more productive and perhaps happier. With our current package there’s almost always something on TV to watch. Realistically, we pay $60 a month and only consistently watch three shows a year.
Reducing channels would likely make me more productive. That’s a major reason I’m considering canceling cable. When I should be working, TV is a constant temptation. If I get hooked on a show, it’s very easy to binge and waste an entire day. I admit that nearly every Saturday I work on side projects while watching a Boy Meets World marathon.
If we could get what we want for $10 a month instead of $60, that’s $50 saved every month—money that could fund things with more value than the background shows I often watch (looking at you, Teen Mom and other MTV fare).
Related: 16 Alternatives To Cable TV That WILL Save You Money
We do enjoy watching TV.
Don’t get me wrong—we both enjoy TV. I like a good movie and new series (I’m into Under the Dome at the moment). Our current cost isn’t outrageous and is lower than what many families pay. I’ve heard of households spending over $100 monthly for fewer channels. Some report the average cable bill is around $125 a month, which seems excessive to me.
There are several ways to lower cable expenses. We’ve used many of these tactics to bring our bill down. It helps to sign up using new-customer promotions, and always ask for additional discounts. Ask for a free receiver, waived equipment insurance, complimentary HD or premium channels like HBO, and so on. Calling your provider every six months to request a lower rate has always worked for us and usually takes only a few minutes.
What other TV options are there?
Netflix – Less than $10 a month
Netflix costs around $10 per month and lets you stream shows and movies to your TV or receive DVDs by mail. I tried it a few times by streaming through a PS3 and didn’t find many titles that interested me, but others find it excellent and it often suits casual viewing needs.
Hulu Plus – Also under $10 a month
Hulu Plus costs $7.99 per month and offers streaming with fewer ads than the free Hulu service. It’s useful for getting recent episodes that may not be on other streaming platforms.
Antenna – Free
An antenna can provide local broadcast channels at no cost. If you don’t already have one, they’re inexpensive and can deliver basic networks for free. I now use an antenna to receive local channels and find it works well for news and network programming.
Amazon Prime – $79 a year (often discounted)
Amazon Prime includes unlimited streaming as part of its membership and has other benefits like free shipping. The list price is $79 a year, but there are frequent discounts—students and other qualifying members often pay much less.
Library – Free
Your local library is a great free option. Many libraries lend DVDs and other media at no cost, so the only expense is travel time and gas.