Comments on: Solving The Television Dilemma: Dropping The Cable Bill Without Losing My Favorite Shows

By: Bible Money Matters

Bible Money Matters — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:39:30 +0000

Our solution was to start using Hulu and other streaming video services along with Playon and our Xbox 360. Through that we get to watch most of our favorite shows on our TV (not computer) and all it cost us was a one time fee for the playon software. (If you don’t have an xbox/ps3/wii it could cost more).

By: Sicarii

Sicarii — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:42:50 +0000

Two words: Hulu and Blockbuster. If you’re paying for internet already Hulu or sites like it are a great choice. See if your shows are listed there. Check out your video rental store, most places rent full seasons of DVD’s, and then it’s on your schedule as well. I know video rental prices vary greatly from place to place, but our local blockbuster’s daily rental price is $1! At that price it just doesn’t make sense to buy most DVD’s. Even if a DVD costs $20, it would take 20 days of rental to reach that cost. How many movies do you really watch 20 times? Probably very few.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:46:50 +0000

We’re in the process of ditching cable all together. We’re talking about buying a relatively inexpensive or refurbished PC with a decent sized flat screen monitor. Then we’re going to use a combination of online resources that let you stream TV, and also sign up for downloadable netflix right to your computer.

Our idea is to have all our music, TV and media in one place on a single shelf somewhere and eliminate the need for cable costs, wires, and sacrificing space. We live in NY, so space is a precious commodity. We’re thinking we could break even in about a year a year in relation to our current cable costs verses a new computer.

By: Paul Lampe

Paul Lampe — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:47:20 +0000

Also try this simple tactic: Review your cable TV bill and determine the monthly cost. Review alternative services such as Dish Network and research initial monthly costs for the alternatives. Call the cable company and tell them you want a lower rate base on comparable service which can be purchased cheaper somewhere else. I did this and saved $192/year on my cable bill and never had to change anything. All it took was about 15 minutes on the phone. (Hint: This can also be done with credit card interest rates) It doesn’t “drop” the cable bill, but it lowers it significantly.

By: Chad S

Chad S — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:55:20 +0000

I recently swicted to digital broadcast TV(using bunny Ears) it is not that bad, when you get a clear channnel it is just as good as cable or maybe even better. I am sure if we get a roof top atenna it will be even better. The new digital TV is nice there are more channels. two thums up for the FCC

By: Louie Shamarro

Louie Shamarro — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:03:55 +0000

If you take away one thing from this entry, let it be this…

Arrested Development is the funniest show ever. Period.

By: J.D. @ Get Rich Slowly

J.D. @ Get Rich Slowly — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 05:56:18 +0000

Ah, you’ve anticipated one of my upcoming entries. I’m waiting for Apple’s announcements on Tuesday before I write mine, though. In essence: I’m hoping to transition from a flat monthly cable fee to a buy-on-demand plan using the iTunes Music Store. There are pros and cons to this approach, of course, but I’ll write about those…

As it is, we do use Netflix. We watch a two or three DVDs a week and rarely repeat. If we do decide to repeat — as we’re inclined to do with Upstairs, Downstairs, one of the series ever produced for television — then we consider purchasing.

By: Flexo

Flexo — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 05:40:56 +0000

Just had to comment to mention I’m also a big long-time Dr. Who fan. When I was young I taped every episode off PBS and built quite a library. Haven’t seen the new series 2 yet, though.

By: mary

mary — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 04:35:24 +0000

You can also watch some ABC’s top TV shows like Lost and Greys Anatomy at ABC.com. The shows are available the day after they air on TV and they have the last few shows available for viewing also. You have to watch some commercials during the first half hour (the 2nd half has none) but you can keep up to date with the shows and don’t have to pay anything.

By: Trent

Trent — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 02:44:01 +0000

The question about why we’re not using Netflix will be answered on Monday, folks.

By: david

david — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 01:15:04 +0000

Well I heard that you can get all those shows on something called torrent, for free. I have no idea what it is, but maybe you should look into it *wink*
regards,great post

By: Lazy Man and Money

Lazy Man and Money — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 23:24:33 +0000

Brian brings up a good point with things like sports. My local baseball team (80% of what I watch in the summer time) is on cable. ESPN is also a fair percentage.

The other issue is that no one at the water cooler was talking about Arrested Development last night. By that I mean, there’s something about being socially in the loop. That can be lost without cable sometimes.

By: moneysmartlife

moneysmartlife — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 21:25:27 +0000

Ditto on Brian’s comment. The college basketball season helps us get through the cold, dreary winter months. I don’t know what we’d do without ESPN during March Madness!

I’d like to change our cable subscription to the lowest tier BUT no ESPN.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 19:14:01 +0000

You all have very good points. My only hesitation comes from ESPN. There isn’t a better source for sports events, news, commentary, and statistics.

By: Jason Rehmus

Jason Rehmus — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:51:22 +0000

My wife and I have never paid for cable. We had it included in our rent at one apartment, but never signed up on our own.

We love Netflix! We “saved” money by never ordering cable. But, we also saved money on our movie rentals. The $17.99 per month membership is less than what we were spending each month at the local rental store.

I’m curious to see your future post, Trent.

By: Benjamin Meyer

Benjamin Meyer — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:50:34 +0000

I own a Tivo and don’t have a monthy expense. When I bought it rather then paying the $10 a month forever I payed $300 for a lifetime fee. I have owned it for nine years now, long ago the initial investment paid for itself. Of all sites I would think this one would know that. On DVD’s have you checked your local libraries? Maybe your town’s branch doesn’t have much, but the next town over might. Also local video stores have them now to. Picking up on on their slow night (where they ofter 99 cent rentals or whatnot) is a easy way to try out new shows.

By: iportion

iportion — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:41:03 +0000

We decided to get rid of it all even basic cable and just do netflix. We saw manor house which was good and see Monk and mystery shows like law an order on it.
Sometimes I like the food network and discovery but mostly I find TV unproductive.
Also I spend less because I see less commercials.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 16:48:04 +0000

I’ve found a lot of the DVD series that I want to view are free through the local public library. I’ve enjoyed the Sopranos, the Shield, 6 Feet Under, Band of Brothers, and others this way. Right now I am on the waitlist for the first installment of Sopranos season 6.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 16:40:49 +0000

The other thing to consider along these same lines is netflix. They have all the DVD series, but with the hassle of ebay replaced with mailing them back in.

The 2 disk at a time plan is something like 10 dollars a month, which could be a savings over even ebay.

By: Trent

Trent — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 16:36:29 +0000

Unless you watch many different DVDs per week and never have any desire to repeat, Netflix doesn’t save anyone money. I will explain this in a future post; look for it early next week.