Cutting Cable Does Save More than Money
Mon, Apr 19, 2010
A little over 8 months ago, I made the decision to completely cut my cable to save money. I was paying off debt with gazelle like intensity so I decided to temporarily increase my cash flow and speed up the payoff. This action instantly added an additional $70 a month to my budget that was applied toward OPERATION CONQUER DEBT. However, there were additional benefits to replacing my cable with limited streaming Internet television.
Additional benefits from avoiding cable T.V. costs
Increased time & productivity
The amount of time I spent watching T.V. decreased dramatically. With this new found time on my hands, I was able to do other things. It is a conscious decision to be productive or find less fruitful ways to pass the time. I opted for productivity (most of the time) by spending more time reading, writing, and working on other side projects. 
Here are some productive alternatives:
- Start a side business
- Go back to school or take classes
- Family game night
- Volunteer for a local charity
- Catch up with family & friends
Alternative Social Entertainment
Without a television to lean on, entertaining guests becomes more active than passive. Stimulating discussions abound when the television is not demanding part or all of our attention. Also, on nice days I find myself more eager to get out of the house.
No Cable Anxiety
Do you have a certain time that your friends know not to call you because your favorite show is on? Do you know people who form their schedules around their favorite prime time series? There is no need to check the T.V. Guide listings, I simply add the shows I like to my Hulu queue and watch them when I want. Most shows only keep a few of their most recent episodes online for a limited time. There is an expiration date, but it isn’t limited to the time it comes on T.V.
Less Advertising!
Commercial breaks online run 15-30 second intervals. This is much better than the 2-5 minute intervals of commercials from mainstream media. This adds up to approximately 20 minutes for a 1 hour show. 1/3 of the show is commercials. While we all would like to think we are immune to the effects of advertising, the reality is commercials are designed to make you shop more and spend more. The industry is growing so they must be doing something right!
I don’t know how much longer I’ll keep my cable completely off, but right now I rarely miss it. Being single, I have the liberty to make this decision without disrupting household dynamics.
What about you? Have you ever cut or limited your cable? What effects did you notice besides more money in your pocket?
 Article written by: Lakita HumberLakita is an IT Systems Administrator by profession with a passion for the things of God, worship arts, and financial stewardship. She started Personal Finance Journey as a way to help and encourage those on the road to financial freedom. She has been blessed with the opportunity to minister throughout the U.S. and Internationally as a workshop speaker and presenter. Connect with Lakita on Twitter & Facebook. |
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Tags: Reduce Expenses, Save Money
Jason,
For the last four year my only option for TV is to watch TV Box Sets on DVD. I love that I can watch at any time and an hour show only takes 42 min.
I bet all of us could do something more productive than watch TV.
Craig Ford´s last blog ..How to Save Up To $500 A Year Dining Out
Craig, actually, Lakita wrote this. I forgot to add the bio to the end. I like the box set idea!
Craig,
Did you keep the box sets in a collection or resale them?
I agree, we can be more productive by limiting our “tv time”
Great post! Love the family game nite idea!! I have not cut the cable completely, but we only have a few shows that we get into and so it doesn’t interfere too much with family time!
You are right though, no TV increases productivity and keeps the “ads” away!
Jason @ Redeeming Riches´s last blog ..Tithing – How Much Should a Christian Give? Part 1
If it was just me, I would cut the cable. Unfortunately my husband won’t go along with that idea. He LOVES tv.
You have a compelling argument though.
Bucksome Boomer´s last blog ..Week in Review: Wedding Bells Edition
Bucksome,
I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to cut completely either if there were more people to factor into the equation. Unless they were all 100% on board!
Ditching the TV, or at least the cable, should increase the amount of time that we spend interacting with PEOPLE rather than with entertainment devices. That’s a win-win. You might make some new friends or pick up a money making/saving idea from mingling with people–what chance of that is there while being hypnotized by the TV?
Another point a lot of us underestimate is the degree to which TV brainwashes us, and it isn’t just the commercials. Think about the negative views of people and of society we develop from the six o’clock news and from all of the crime shows. Society may not be perfect, but it’s the only one we have and we need to make it work, fears notwithstanding.
Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last blog ..How to Buy Health Insurance Without Paying Too Much
So true Kevin! I find more time to catch up with friends and work on other projects