Cable TV can be really expensive! In our area, it costs $40+ per month to have the standard cable package. Add digital cable, a DVR, HDTV, and it could very likely cost over $100 a month for TV.
Years ago, although we lived in a suburb of a fairly large city, our analog TV reception was not very good. We could get ABC very well, but forget Fox or CBS (which made it very frustrating to watch pro football). So, we decided to add basic cable, which was basically just the normal free broadcast stations, plus a few extras like the weather channel and QVC.
It was pretty inexpensive when we signed up (about $11 per month). However, the cable company had increased the prices so much over the years, that we were up to $17.50 per month (for free broadcast TV, mind you!).
Ever since the digital transition, we discovered that we can get great TV reception on our HDTV and our regular TV using a digital converter. Channels come in crystal clear, and we get multiple stations (for example, we get 3 PBS stations). So, we made the decision to cut the basic cable and just use our antennas. We haven't looked back since!
If the network stations don't cut it for you, you can always supplement with Netflix (which still works out cheaper than cable) or Amazon Prime, if you're looking for something additional to watch.
What about sports?
The biggest complaint I've heard (and had myself) was the lack of ESPN with rabbit ears. Well, there's a new service called Sling TV, where you can pay $20 a month and get ESPN streaming live using your internet (and a streaming device like Kindle Fire, etc). Plus, you may be able to get ESPN 360 on your computer depending on your internet provider. We got it when we had AT&T UVerse for our internet.
If you are paying more than you like for cable TV, then borrow someone's rabbit ears and see if it works in your area. Maybe you can save on this monthly expense too.
What about you? Do you pay for TV service or have you found some creative ways to do without?
Bella Casa
We have basic + the news channels, History, Food Network, etc...we pay $60, it's outrageous. No premium channels at all, like HBO or things like that...I can't imagine what those folks pay.
I wish we could cut out the cable, but we are hooked 🙁
April
I wish. We pay $150 a month for basic cable.
Jane Anne
We are really working on budgeting and cutting back so we can pay off our debt. We have been waiting for the end of College football to cancel cable. Since the Championship game was last night, it is time! (I am hoping that we will get so used to not having it that we will be able to enjoy the games via Sattalie Radio in the fall. That will be hard but I am really focused on paying things off.) Our phone is also through comcast so we are going to cancel it and just use our cell phones. This is going to save us a lot of money!
BarbaraLee
We can't get cable out here in the country so that $17. looks pretty reasonable to me. No matter what we have to pay almost $30 for dish. We got the digital thing too and that is working out pretty good. Sometimes the bad weather causes problems but I think we could update our attena.
Lynn
We can't get cable where we are, either, and we tried the new box thing for the changeover in Feb. and that doesn't work in our area because it's too mountainy. So it looks like we won't have any TV at all starting next month! You can rent library movies for free, though, and keep them for a week.
A fantastic frugal option 🙂
Prudent Homemaker
We got rid of cable in 2007.
Just this month, my husband found Hulu. (www.hulu.com) They have many tv shows for free. There are a few (one each time for about 17 seconds) commercials, but as long as you don't mind watching on the computer, it works just fine.
Corrie at "Cents"able Momma
Thanks for the idea about Hulu, Prudent Homemaker! I've heard of it before, but never tried it. I just checked it out, and it looks pretty neat.
Marcia
I absolutely love my new antenna. For around $35-$40 it reaches over 150 miles and picks up 29 TV stations!! I will never go back to satellite TV. I bought the converter box at a rummage sale for $1 and it is wonderful. I still use the old bulky televisions at my home, but did you know that if you have the newer (flat panel) digital TV that you will get HD for free? You don't have to pay for HD channels if the shows are already shown in HD. Check out Titantv.com to see what stations you could be getting in your zip code/area with an antenna. I get NBC, CBS, ABC, 6 different PBS stations, plus a lot of old B&W movies from the 50s that I just love. I watch MASH back to back every evening now.
Danielle
We just cut out our satellite in the new year and got a digital antenna (or whatever it is called, I'm not sure, okay my husband actually bought and installed it). We are not missing a thing! With our toddler around we are officially one or more seasons behind on all of our favorite tv shows, enter netflix and Amazon Prime. I'm impressed with the variety on both of these services all of us; two young(ish) adults, two teenagers, one old(ish) adult, and a toddler all have a great many interesting things to watch. I am going to do some checking on Slingback, since it's not football season we aren't really missing sports but that may change come fall.
Jennie @ The Diary of a Real Housewife
Great advice! Just need to talk the hubby into it =)
I would love if you would stop by and share on my Friday Favorites linkup!
Evecruz
I had the box pay over 250.00 it didn't work out for us. Stuck with dish but I like it better than direct tv.