So I called the cable company today--paying more for less and I do have a question

[Violet2]

I'm on a frugal rampage over here... Scroll down to the end for the question if you want to skip the background.

We are paying $70 a month for basic 8 channel cable and DSL internet.

New customers can get 100 channels and DSL for $59 a month for a year.

We can't have that deal b/c we aren't new. I'm waiting for a supervisor to call me back on that b/c do they really think I'm paying $70 for essentially no cable because I like it? Uh no. It just really chaps my behind that we cut cable to save money and instead are paying MORE money for LESS service.

The cable provider has pretty much a monopoly in our area as they own the cables. So no competitors other than satellite.

Satellite is $30 a month and we would actually have 120 channels. We are paying almost $20 right now for 8 of the usual free channels (NBC, CBS etc...).

I could get internet from ATT for $15. It would be slower and I'm still researching whether or not it would be too slow for work purposes.

So $45 all together.

But is there a way to live without cable or satellite? What is involved and how much does it cost?

Maybe if I can't cancel the internet, I could cancel the cable entirely???

TIA
V

[Tradd]

Not sure what your work internet needs are, but I have the lowest AT&T DSL speed and it works just fine. I do lots of streaming music and video online without a problem, but I'm only running one computer (it's just me). If you're going to have multiple users with one wireless router, I'm not sure.

[nwmomof2]

Can you get internet through your phone service? We have DSL and unlimited local calling (no long distance -we use a Costco calling card for that) through Frontier (used to be Verizon) and pay $55/mo.

We do not have cable. Cancelled it 4 years ago, we use a digital antenna and a digital converter box (on an old tv) and can get the main channels (CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, etc). My kids watch PBS kids, my DH occasionally watches some series or another in the evening. We use netflix DVDs and streaming for movies, and borrow lots of DVDs from the library, mostly for the kids. Although we are not big tv watchers, we don't miss cable at all, and certainly don't miss the monthly cable bill.

Actually, I really hate the cable company. Their monopoly really makes me mad, and I feel like they rip off the customer because they are able to get away with it (most people see cable as a "need" not a "want"). Sorry to rant.

[2xy]

We were experiencing the same issue. Turned out we were being charged more because we no longer had a contract. We entered into a new contract and got a lower rate. HTH.

[vannienicole]

We haven't have cable since jan 2009. as long as there is internet, we can watch things online. (hulu and whatnot)

when we didn't have internet, we watched movies we had around the house. I will say that since we rid ourselves of cable, we have spent more time together

[Violet2]

Originally Posted by Tradd

Not sure what your work internet needs are, but I have the lowest AT&T DSL speed and it works just fine. I do lots of streaming music and video online without a problem, but I'm only running one computer (it's just me). If you're going to have multiple users with one wireless router, I'm not sure.

We might do Att no term contract for a while until we can qualify as a 'new customer' for the UAV cable company.


V

[Violet2]

Originally Posted by vannienicole

We haven't have cable since jan 2009. as long as there is internet, we can watch things online. (hulu and whatnot)

when we didn't have internet, we watched movies we had around the house. I will say that since we rid ourselves of cable, we have spent more time together

I thought I would miss all the channels, I don't. But we are on the internet more.

I think I want to get rid of the cable completely and just pay for internet. But I need to figure out how much the stuff is that I need to do taht (I still want the free channels).

V

[Thystle]

Specifically what exactly do you watch or want from cable?


I mean specific shows or channels. If you can type out a list and maybe even start a new thread I think most of us can tell you if you can watch it online for free or not.



And for cable tv free homes that still like to "watch" Netflix can be your friend!

[SunRise]

Originally Posted by nwmomof2

Can you get internet through your phone service? We have DSL and unlimited local calling (no long distance -we use a Costco calling card for that) through Frontier (used to be Verizon) and pay $55/mo.

We do not have cable. Cancelled it 4 years ago, we use a digital antenna and a digital converter box (on an old tv) and can get the main channels (CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, etc). My kids watch PBS kids, my DH occasionally watches some series or another in the evening. We use netflix DVDs and streaming for movies, and borrow lots of DVDs from the library, mostly for the kids. Although we are not big tv watchers, we don't miss cable at all, and certainly don't miss the monthly cable bill.

Actually, I really hate the cable company. Their monopoly really makes me mad, and I feel like they rip off the customer because they are able to get away with it (most people see cable as a "need" not a "want"). Sorry to rant.

ditto

I got rid of cable many years ago and am satisfied with the free channels we get. I have a flat screen tv w/ a digital antenna and get about 13 channels. We also have netflix and roku (this is a black box that attaches to your tv and you can watch instant netflix movies (black box is a one time purchase))

For internet we use verizon (20 dollars) and for phone we pay 45$ (45 dollars includes long distance to canada, which is a must for me), although vonage is an option and less expensive.

FIOS has just hit our neighbourhood and is trying to attract customers with low prices...($40 dollars from one company for phone and internet) so you may want to check into those prices.

NOW, the digital antenna loses signal sometimes, when watching tv. AND t

[lolar2]

The main thing most people miss without cable is if they like to watch a lot of sports, more than would be available using just an antenna, or sometimes there are a few obscure shows that are hard to get online or on DVD. Otherwise internet should work fine.

[Violet2]

Yes, we would be fine with an antenna. We don't need cable. I can watch stuff online with no problem.

However, if we could get a package cheaper than our current no-cable price, that would be fine too. Either way. I just want the price to go down.

V