by Claire
In March of this year, when I began blogging, I made significant changes to my basic living expenses. One of the biggest decisions was cutting the cord on cable and switching to a digital antenna. It’s been eight months since then, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to go cable-free! Thankfully, I haven’t encountered any issues with my new TV aerial. However, I’ve made sure to keep a list of reliable installers handy, just in case I need tv aerial repairs in the future.
Before buying anything else for television-watching purposes I challenged us to use an old PlayStation to watch Netflix and HuluPlus. I’m pretty good about setting these challenges to make sure I stick with something before I spend extra dollars on extras. (Tangent: The same rule applies to workout clothes. Nothing new until I am consistently exercising for at least six months. You should have seen some of the items I went to yoga in at the very beginning. Hello, 1990’s! I liked to consider myself retro. :-/)
The PlayStation worked fine for the initial experience although it was cumbersome to use. I found that to be an added benefit as it prevented the kids and I from just mindlessly turning the television on instead of doing something more productive. I still have not purchased my own Roku but I am borrowing the Roku of a friend who isn’t using it very often. I love it! So, I decided to post about it since it has been awhile and maybe there are new readers who could benefit from my television cutback decisions.
We get all the local channels in HD and then we stream Netflix and HuluPlus via the Roku. I can’t find a flaw with this arrangement especially given our very busy schedules. My friend says he doesn’t need his Roku back anytime soon (he primarily uses the xbox to access) and he has generously offered it to the kids and I for the short term. I’m not in a hurry to buy one so even if he needs to take it back, I won’t be purchasing my own very soon. We did fine with the PlayStation! But for now I’m welcoming the opportunity to enjoy this great item!
If you are still paying for cable, do some research. You may find much cheaper alternatives!
P.S. Although you are likely sick of hearing about the latest in “As Steve and Claire Divorce…” I’ll share that I got another one line snail mail letter today. He instructed me to provide any suggestions for the divorce decree to him directly no later than November 30. Gladly! In fact, I’ll beat that deadline!
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
We gave up cable, and even network tv, about 10 years ago. We have a Roku with Amazon Prime, Netflix and HuluPlus, and couldn’t be happier. We can still watch our favorite shows on HuluPlus, we rent movies occasionally from Amazon Prime, and we love Netflix for movies and tv shows (I’m re-watching “Alias” right now.) 😀
I also <3 the Roku, for some of the same reasons you have listed. We recently switched internet companies, and we could have added cable for $10/mo. However, I thought about how my almost teenager loves to watch Dick Van Dyke and the Cosby Show (that one has left Netflix, sadly!), and how that wouldn't be the case if we had "normal" cable. Maybe when the kids leave for college, we will get cable. But for now, it's worth missing out on some of the latest television so we can miss out on some of the time-wasting and all of the offensive parts of television.
Julie, Cosby is now on Hulu!
Just wanted to comment on how well you have been doing, Claire! The key to change in personal finance is mindset and your Thanksgiving post proves you have made this change. Don’t let the nattering nabobs of negativity get you down!
I can’t wait to get rid of satellite. When we moved to our new place in Oct. 2011 I had no idea they put me into a 2 year contract. 🙁 None of my paperwork states this, but for me to terminate early is like $680, ouch. So the day my contract expires in Oct. 2013 we are DONE with it. I love Netflix and Hulu. Plus we can watch a lot of our fave shows on the network websites for free anyway. Looking forward to saving $88/mo!
Love it! I gave up cable 2 years ago and have not looked back since. Me and my kids are barely home and that $100+ a month just wasn’t worth it. I love how you found alternatives and made the situation fit you. great post!
The only thing I really miss not having cable is ESPN. Wish the cable company would offer channels a la carte. But other than that, I don’t regret my decision to cut the cord.
And don’t apologize for the ‘divorce update’. It’s a part of your life and affects every aspect of it. Some of us can relate. Glad to know that it will be over with soon, and you can move forward.
For six years I only had Netflix, I just got cable and internet a few months ago. I’m in heaven!
Finally I realized the amount of money I was spending to go to a restaurant to watch baseball, basketball and football games cost more than what I would spend on cable/internet. There were also a LOT more calories consumed so I’m actually saving myself a few dollars and calories at the same time 🙂
Those Lululemon and Prana clothes are very alluring.
The most I’ve ever spent on “yoga” clothing was $20 dollars at Target for Champion shorts that could stand up to a hot yoga session. Otherwise, the teachers are right — you need very little for yoga but a mat and some comfy clothes.
No cable here too, Netflix through desktop PC and Android phone.
Steve and Claire Divorce are the best, so many life lessons
I haven’t had cable for a few years. I had cabel and HBO for a little over two years when I lived with my brother, but he paid for it and when be left I went back to no cabel. Now my husband and I use Netflix and we recently purchased Amazon Prime (it was half off over the hollday weekend). To be honest, I only miss HBO and I hope to someday be able to have it again.
Need advice on the Roku. We still have satellite (basic package) only because my husband and I are HUGE sports fans.
Even our 4 year old knows the theme to Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN.
How do I get around that?
Hi Deeanna,
I’m a Roku novice but another reader said she misses ESPN the most. And someone else made the point that they were spending as much or more money on going out to places to watch games. I’m not a sports fan (I get my fill with just my kids playing) so it isn’t an issue for me, but from what I am gathering you may be stuck with satellite if watching sports is a must have.
I do love having no cable. There is something so freeing about it. I hate walking into my apartment with the TV on – it gives me a headache and makes me feel panicky.
Reading this article and comments has certainly given me something to think about, as currently I have basic cable and still use dvd Netflix.
I wish Netflix was a little cheaper other than that, it’s great to watch at home after a long days work.