We cancelled our TV satellite service about two years ago. We cancelled it because we could no longer afford to pay a monthly TV bill and reduce debt.
We're in a much better financial state than we were two years ago. We can now afford to pay a monthly TV bill, and continue to make substantial steps toward reducing debt. The question is - should we?
We have found life without TV to be not only acceptable, but in many ways preferable. The kids no longer fight about what's on the TV. The TV is not constantly on, rotting our brains. We have an extra $60 per month to allocate somewhere else. Most of what's on TV is crap anyway.
We are missing the Olympics. And I miss the Big 10 network and NCAA tournament coverage most of all (Go MSU!). And sometimes, if used properly, it can give you a parenting break. (The same old DVDs get tiring after a while).
So, we're considering whether or not we should re-up with our satellite TV service. And, getting the cheapest, most basic service is not appealing to me Like I said, the Big 10 network is part of the deal.
What do you all think?
TV?
August 6th, 2012 at 02:45 pm
August 6th, 2012 at 04:35 pm 1344267324
August 6th, 2012 at 05:02 pm 1344268929
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August 6th, 2012 at 06:09 pm 1344272999
What is the proper response when guests who stay with you for three weeks complain there is no television, when no mention of television had ever been made to the visitors? We mentioned hulu and youtube as alternatives -- does that deserve a oomplaint from guests?
August 6th, 2012 at 07:10 pm 1344276606
August 6th, 2012 at 07:13 pm 1344276828
August 6th, 2012 at 07:46 pm 1344278806
In addition to the time savings of not watching dumb sitcoms, I like that our kids aren't getting all the marketing. It makes living frugally that much easier.
August 6th, 2012 at 11:18 pm 1344291523
August 6th, 2012 at 11:57 pm 1344293853
August 7th, 2012 at 04:03 pm 1344351804
August 7th, 2012 at 06:20 pm 1344360023
As for Youtube, we do that, but downloading is slow.
We're still kicking it around. We have done OK without TV, and it will probably stay that way for a while.
August 8th, 2012 at 03:36 am 1344393380
Paulette - last I checked, Hotel Nexus has cable!
August 10th, 2012 at 09:29 pm 1344630592
You could all agree to allocate the extra $60/month in any number of ways, such as a once monthly night out at the movies, among other things.
August 10th, 2012 at 11:15 pm 1344636923
I'd look into an antenna - they are very small and inexpensive these days. We found we had to get a new antenna when we dropped cable last year - our "not so old" antenna was obsolete since they moved a lot of programming to/from UHF or VHF. I don't remember the technical details - but just make sure it is a newer antenna and has the right spectrum for OTA waves. I was surprised how small and sleek and useful the new antenna was compared to anything we have ever used in the past. You can always buy an antenna on amazon and return if it does not work out for your location.
OF course, in this day and age there is just a whole slew of low-cost cable alternatives. We are a household that enjoyed cable and valued the at-home entertainment, but are at the point of "Why pay 10 times as much for all the same stuff?" The quality is high as is ease of use, compared to the cable alternates of the past. I'd definitely look at all options before going back to cable.
August 12th, 2012 at 02:04 am 1344733452
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August 12th, 2012 at 05:44 pm 1344789848
Jerry
August 18th, 2012 at 10:01 pm 1345323707