Every time I pay the bills, I stare at my budget spreadsheet and try to figure out places where I can cut costs so that I can put more money into savings each month. I’ve streamlined our grocery spending pretty significantly and that was always the biggest variable. There were so many fixed costs and I felt like I couldn’t do anything about them. The alarm service pricing is set. Same for insurance costs.
The one that drove me the craziest was the cable bill. $170 per month. Close to $115 of that was TV. The more I considered this bill, the more I wondered if it was worth it. Yes, I love TV, but do I love it for almost $1400 per year?
For years, I’ve heard about people who cut the cord and went cable-free. I was always envious, but thought I couldn’t do it. Then, I started to look at the options and I decided that we should try it.
So, I bought a Roku
We’ve had an Amazon Prime membership for a while. We also have a Netflix membership, so neither of those were new costs. I did add Hulu Plus so that we wouldn’t miss our favorite shows on ABC, NBC and Fox. After a week with the Hulu, I was sold. For the shows that we regularly watch, it covered all but three: Dateline, Person of Interest and Big Bang Theory.
I decided to purchase an antenna
Because I’m technologically inept, it took a couple of days for us to get the antenna working. (My father-in-law saved the day.) We got CBS, but no NBC. The picture was great, but I was still debating whether or not we needed the antenna and a Tivo for the CBS shows. (Tivo’s service would be an additional $20 per month.) Since CBS offers episodes of the shows that we want online, we decided that we will hook up the laptop for those episodes.
The antenna, amp and Tivo will be returned this week.
We’re still trying to figure out what the easiest way to watch Mad Men and Breaking Bad will be. Even if we have to purchase the videos from Amazon or Vudu, it will be far cheaper than our cable bill during a given period.
Here are the costs and savings associated with the change:
Roku: $75. (The model that we purchased is regularly $99, but I had Amex points to put toward the purchase.)
Hulu Plus membership: $7.99/month – $79.99 for the remainder of 2013
Breaking Bad: $1.99/episode for 8 episodes: $15.92
Mad Men: $1.99/episode for 13 episodes: $25.87
Homeland: $1.99/episode for 12 episodes: $23.88
Total Costs for 2013: $220.66
Cable Cost for remainder 2013 (if we still had it and prices remained the same): $1,140
Total Saved in 2013 by canceling cable: $919.34
Even if the TV episodes for our favorite cable shows are a little more expensive, we are still saving a bundle. (In the past, that’s how much we paid for episodes of Dexter, so I assume the prices will be similar.)
This change is definitely worth it.
Tell me – can you live without cable? Have you made the switch to cable-free?
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
I watch almost all of my shows online or via iPad apps (global, cityTV and CTV all have free ipad apps with the latest episodes in Canada where I am). The only reason we keep cable and the reason I can’t give it up is for sports. We watch a ton of games live, host game day parties etc so I’m not sure how we could completely give up our TV service and still get sports in real time.
Ugh, I envy you, I’ve mentioned it numerous times and my husband says no way! Funny I saw this just now, I was just about to get starting making a dreaded budget today, I’ll have to do a search to see if you’ve posted about streamlining the groceries….that is by far the biggest bill….I applaud your courage
oooo that’s a good point too for me. streamlining groceries is major!
Awesome! I just have internet and NetFlix at my school apartment but I get cable at home via my parents. Amazing how you worked around it!!
~Ang
YES! So glad to read this post. I joined amazon prime after reading a few notes from you (regarding it)
Thanks for adding in the antenna links to amazon too. I need the amp for my local channels. Great post!
WOW. Wow. Major props to you for really thinking the details through. The truth is, I could probably live without it, simply getting my TV from the internet, as well. Haven’t cut the cord, yet, though. Sometimes live TV and DVR are just convenient… but your savings are pretty darn convincing. This is something I’m going to have to keep in mind and re-assess. Thank you for sharing!
I haven’t had cable since I moved about 18 months ago. I would suggest you look into what you watch on Hulu and how often. I know the shows I watch are on the major networks and they are all available on the free version. The plus version really only helps with some stuff and/or watching it on the TV. For me it’s just as easy to hook my computer up and watch it on the TV that way. Then again it IS only what 7.99 more? Haha. Excellent write up with a few other ideas tossed in too,