So there are a ton of posts going around about cutting the cord, and whether cable is better than satellite. And while I agree with with most of the points in the posts, I still chose to keep my cable package.
I know that saying that is a taboo in the PF community, but let me assure that I have my ducks mostly in a row. I have a budget for everything, I invest in properties, I have my student loans, car loans, and credit card balances paid for, and I’ve even taken care of my estate planning. That’s what being a finance writer makes you do! So I’m not going into debt any further, and no one can find a better way for me to spend my money than I am right now. Heck, I have 5 side hustles!
Anyway, there are tons of reason for cutting the cords. You can find most of the shows online, or cable is too expensive are 2 arguments that most people make and I think both are valid points, not necessary true for everyone.
But here are my reasons for keeping my cable services:
I like local news:
One of the biggest things about satellite for me was not being able to watch my local news when I wanted to. I like in city of 200,000 people and small news is far more entertaining and relevant to me. I also am a National News junkie, which is odd since I tend to hear everything from being on Twitter all day.
Cheaper in my bundle:
You may or may not have read my post on how to barter with your utility companies, but I am pretty good at that, so when they think they’re locking in mine for 2 years, I ask them for things like 60% of my cable services and free channels. I’m paying around $35/month for cable and that includes HBO and my HDPVR. Skills, I tell you!
Too lazy to wait for things to be downloaded:
Yeah, you read that right. I tend to go out to a ton of events on behalf of Chic Darling, and I tend to get home relatively late so I end up missing most of my shows. Do I really want to sit there and download things and slow my laptop down? No! I have the shows recorded on my PVR and I settle in with my laptop to catch up on my shows and unwind.
Internet intermittent:
Even though I get my internet and cable from the same provider, I tend to see discrepancies in the services provided. My cable, which is not affected by the weather, never goes out, while my modem needs to be reset every 3 days or so. Odd, right? Also, most shows aren’t available online in Canada. That part sucks.
I use it for background noise:
Yep, you read that right! I like having having the TV on while I work. You’d be surprised at how many episodes of Criminal minds I watch in a week.
What about you? Do you still pay for cable?
We literally just cut our cable two days ago and we’re going to see how it goes. I certainly don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer and wanting to keep it is just as valid as wanting to get rid of it, providing it’s not causing you financial stress. For us, we kind of just want to try out life without it and see how we feel. There may be things we miss and if so, we wouldn’t have a problem signing back up. I think it’s ridiculous when people try to make something like this into some kind of ethical question.
I know, right? It’s very rampant in the PF world.
What? Still paying for cable??
Just kidding. This is totally a personal decision and I don’t mind when people still have cable. For us, we cut it because we didn’t watch that many stations. Most of the shows we watched were on the large broadcast stations. So, I bought a Mohu Leaf for $30 and get 25 channels in HD over the air. I get my local news, national news, and the big stations. This works for me as background noise as well. I thought I was going to miss it, but I have found that I just get more things done without it. I also have a really good internet connection, so that makes streaming pretty good.
I wish we had access to stuff like Mohu in Canada. I would be all over it.
That’s weird that you don’t get the news with satellite! Here you can get the news regardless of what you have. We are thinking about switching mainly because we like a lot of the larger stations (ABC, CBS, CW, etc.) and those are all free.
I get the national news, but not the hyper local ones.
I think you should keep your cable service so I can remain employed :o) Thanks for all your support!
Ha! I used to work for the cable company, too!
I’ve been a big supporter of the Ditch Cable mindset, but it truly is a personal decision. You’ve thought about the costs and benefits and come to the informed conclusion that it’s worthwhile.
My biggest concern is that a lot of people don’t ever stop to evaluate whether or not it’s worth paying for, they just keep paying out of habit. It’s important to think about all the ways you’re spending each month and cut what’s least important to your family.
-Bob
I will give you that. I think if you can justify it, and make it wok your then you’re good to go!
For me, it would be missing ESPN – I’m a football and basketball (occasional baseball) fanatic! I don’t think I could ever cut the cord.
I know what you mean! Football season would be hard without cable!
I cut the cord a couple of years ago, but all the shows I care to watch are on Netflix and Hulu Plus! I don’t like watching sports or the news. It’s a nice money saver, but I totally get why you prefer to keep it :).
Netflix pretty much sucks in canada, and Hulu isn’t available here, sadly.
Sometimes as PF bloggers we do push it hard, cutting this and that expense. Well, if one works hard for their money I’d say go for whatever you want. Probably the hardwork and focusing on the big wins makes up for the very insignificant cost of cable and definitely improves ones quality of life!
That said, I rarely watch TV, let alone cable. Not for savings, just don’t like it that much 🙂
amen!
Cable companies are starting to wise up and charge more for those that just want the internet and not cable TV. In my area, you can get basic cable and internet for $60/month. If you just want internet, it’s $50/month. The price difference used to be greater but not any longer.
I’ve noticed that, too!
I still pay for cable because it is cheaper to get cable and internet instead of just internet. Its nuts that it works out that way, but I’m not going to complain.
Isn’t it crazy how that works?
We still pay for cable because it is cheaper than other forms of entertainment and encourages us to stay home instead of going out to the movies, events, etc.
It’s a great alternative for people who like being entertained.
I also keep my cable because that’s where I get some idea on where to go next for vacation and what to do when I’m there.
It’s also a cheaper way to entertain myself, instead of going out and spend more on watching current movies and expensive restaurant meals.