Cutting Cable

***Pauler*** · 01-20-2011, 09:23 PM

are there any of you that have cut cable.

my wife and i are thinking of doing this for the following reasons.
1. save $70-80 a month
2. we dont want to just sit and be entertained and would rather be more productive with our time.
3. we could get most of what we want to watch online anyway.

if there are any of you that have done this...would you mind sharing your experiences?

**DaGeek** · 01-20-2011, 10:09 PM

It's a good thing to do from my past experience (once with cable, and a few other times with various other addictions), but only if you substitute something in its place. Not sure what you and your wife can specifically replace it with, but I found that, unless I made myself do something else instead, I'd just either end up wasting time sitting around or I'd find another way to waste time --- either way, it made it a pointless endeavor.

DropKick74 · 01-20-2011, 10:27 PM

I've found net flix to be a fantastic replacement. I got an xbox and it streams it in so I pay 10 dollars a month for better movies than HBO, just a thought

Giga Hertz · 01-20-2011, 11:28 PM

Can't you stream most things for free these days?

From the looks of things, Australia is the only sane place when it comes to TV. We have satellite which costs money, but otherwise we get a fair few digital TV channels, and some analogue channels, all for free.

normajean777 · 01-20-2011, 11:42 PM

I've never had any sort of cable before, just the free channels so I can't really comment firsthand. Although my aunt and uncle said that cutting the satellite was a good step in helping their rocky marriage. It made more time for open communication, and saved money when they were starting to struggle financially.

Pre-Ex-Girlfriend · 01-21-2011, 02:40 AM

When we moved about a year ago, we decided not to get cable in our new place. I'd say we watch just as much TV and movies as we did when we had cable. Now we just watch it online or on DVD. We do have bunny ears that get four channels, but that will end in August when Canada goes digital. Anyway, I'd say that if the $70-$80 is worth it to you, then do it. Oooh! You could spend that money on a date night now and then, which is much cooler than sitting and watching TV.

TunerSteve · 01-21-2011, 08:20 AM

I had a job change 3 years ago that cut my pay +50%, and cable was the first thing to go. I DO miss a few favorite programs, Dirty Jobs, Discovery channel, ESPN, but overall it's been okay. There are several online alternatives such as Hulu, and the money saved is being put to a better use. When I sat down to budget my income after the job loss, it was obvious that if I was to continue to give to my local church, I had choices that needed to be made. I also adopted a child through Compassion International, and even the basic package was more expensive than the $30/month that I send to keep a child sponsored through this great organization.

When I look back, I am truly amazed at the amount of money I used to waste. hind sight truly is 20/20

bobthecockroach · 01-21-2011, 09:47 AM

My wife and I both grew up with TVs and cable in the house. When I moved out, I decided to do without a TV at all, figuring I could use my (large) monitor to watch DVDs when I wanted to. When we got married and my wife moved in, she brought a fairly large (to me) collection of movies and TV shows on DVD and she was fine with the no TV, no cable set-up too.

After more than a year on my own and more than 6 months with her, I can honestly say we don't miss it at all. We don't use Hulu or any other online service. We watch a DVD (either TV or movie) maybe once a week. Even shows that I thought I would miss (there was only one, Bones), I don't really miss. I'm curious to see how they turned out, but if I never find out, it won't bother me.

At this point, I cannot foresee ever owning a TV again. Honestly, I'm not sure how people find time to watch it. I already feel like I don't have time to do everything I'd like, and there a lot of things (read, play guitar, write code, walk, cook) I'd rather do than watch TV.

There's no reason you can't do a 30 (or 60 or 90) day trial. I'm sure the cable company won't be upset if you change your mind about canceling your subscription.

Almost Enough · 01-21-2011, 10:32 AM

We do Netflix streaming on Xbox 360 as well. When there's nothing good to watch, we take it as a sign to do something else. We love not having cable. Most cable channels are junk now anyways, unless you want to pay extra for the ones you actually want to watch.

TunerSteve · 01-21-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

There's no reason you can't do a 30 (or 60 or 90) day trial. I'm sure the cable company won't be upset if you change your mind about canceling your subscription.

I would recommend this option; after I dropped DirecTV, nearly 3 years ago, they have sent me mailings every month trying to get me back. They have spent the same amount of money sending me mailings as they used to spend sending me a bill!~

bobthecockroach · 01-21-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TunerSteve

I would recommend this option; after I dropped DirecTV, nearly 3 years ago, they have sent me mailings every month trying to get me back. They have spent the same amount of money sending me mailings as they used to spent sending me a bill!~

They'll probably even give you a discount.

mikegug · 01-21-2011, 11:35 AM

I haven't had cable in 20 years. We do Netflix.

As I am exposed to Christ more, I see what useless crap TV really is. Yes, there is some good stuff, but there isn't enough good stuff to justify putting my money toward it, which in aessence is saying, "Yes, I agree with most of what you're streaming into my house." I'm not saying that is the absolute/only way to see it, but it works for me.

I am, at heart , a cheapskate and I love sticking it to the man that way. That's why I pay cheap guitars. I love getting great sound for next to nothing (relatively speaking...). I know a guy who gets great sound where money is no object. It makes him happy. That's cool.

I like the date night idea though. $80 per month on date night. Cool! You're wife will love it!

OK... as a Christian, I have to recommend Clearplay as your next DVD player. I wish I worked for them..., but we have turned many friends onto this and they LOVE IT! I told my pastor about it and he mentioned it to the whole congregation. LOL! About 3000 people! He loves it too. Clearplay.com ... if you have kids, it is a must.

Excuse me while I step off this box of soap...

bobthecockroach · 01-21-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikegug

OK... as a Christian, I have to recommend Clearplay as your next DVD player. I wish I worked for them..., but we have turned many friends onto this and they LOVE IT! I told my pastor about it and he mentioned it to the whole congregation. LOL! About 3000 people! He loves it too. Clearplay.com ... if you have kids, it is a must.

Movie ratings have gotten much clearer about what is depicted in movies. IMDB also has parental guides available which tell you exactly what is in a movie. I can't really see the need for this kind of filter, especially after you mention paying for something as a means of saying you agree with it. Aren't you still supporting the inappropriate content by paying for it, even if you filter it out?

I don't have kids, but I think I'd be much more concerned with the overall effect of movies instilling false hopes and false fears than of my child seeing a breast, which they either have or will see one day anyway.

It occurs to me this is way off topic. Sorry Pauler.

**jamforchrist123** · 01-21-2011, 12:40 PM

I'd vote yes, cut the cable. You can always find out what happened on your favorite shows later.

mikegug · 01-21-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

It occurs to me this is way off topic. Sorry Pauler.

I don't wish to have a discussion about it. As a Christian dad, I see the value in it, and I'm passing on the tip in a thread discussing entertainment. Nothing else.