Have you ever thought about cutting cable? Not only can it
be a great way to save money each month, but you might also be surprised to
find you won’t miss it! We live in a world of ever-improving technology, which
means there are plenty of options for viewing TV shows besides cable and
satellite. In 2016, the average American household spent $1,236 a year on
cable. That is a lot of money! Many of my friends have expressed an interest in
cutting cable and saving money, but they don’t know where to start.
Fortunately, I have a little insight into this. We cut cable in my household
approximately three years ago and love it. We get to tailor our TV channels to
what we want and we aren’t locked into a contract so we can cancel services at
any time. The only downside, and we’re getting pretty used to it by now, is
that our favorite shows are delayed by one day. The steps to get started are
outlined below.
1.
Make sure
you have good Internet: A good Internet connection is vital to cutting
cable. There is nothing worse than having a subscription to different streaming
services and not having the capability to view the shows without buffering.
Also don’t be afraid to negotiate price with your Internet provider. The
Cord Cutting Report has a guide to help you learn how to negotiate for the
best deal.
2.
Buy an
antenna: Over-the-air or local channels are broadcasting in HDTV now, so
you can get a crisp, clear picture for free. Most of the current popular shows
air on one of the local channels. Some TVs have antenna already built in, so
make sure to check your manual before heading to the store.
3.
Determine
what additional hardware you need: In order to watch streaming services
such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime you need a TV that can access the
Internet. If you have a smart TV, you’re all set, and you may also have apps
preloaded to the TV already. If you don’t have a smart TV, check your game
consoles. Many PlayStation, Wii, and Xbox consoles can stream video from the
Internet. Another alternative is to buy an external device such as an Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon
Fire stick. Make sure to do the research to see which product is best for your
needs.
4.
Pick your
streaming services: There are so many different services out there,
including ones that allow viewing of live TV. Here is a great
list of different streaming services. Again, you will have to determine which
one(s) fit your needs. In my household we chose to have Netflix, Hulu, CBS and
Amazon Prime. If you are concerned about watching sports, here is a
great guide to streaming services that allow you to watch live sports.
5.
Enjoy!
Once you figure out all the equipment you need and get everything set up, it is
time to enjoy your new-found savings. You will wonder why you didn’t cut the
cord before!
True, getting an antenna or
additional hardware will be an added up-front expense, but these are a one-time
expense; they will pretty much pay for themselves with the money you save not
having a big cable bill.
Ditching cable isn’t as difficult
as it seems, you just need to do a bit of research to see which products are
best for you. What works for one household may not work for yours. I would love
to hear your experiences or thoughts on cutting cable; send them to me at Val@rivervalleycu.org. For more money
saving ideas visit my blog here.