Cut The Cord With The Cable Company and Save Money

Since You Are Home #7

My cable bill was way, way too high. I kept thinking about cutting the cord. However, I didn’t know how to do it. I am not comfortable with technology and thought it would be too complicated.

I found out that it is super easy. So, I created this simple step by step guide for all the folks like me. If I can do it, you can do it.

What Is Your Goal

Before you cut the cord, you need to decide what is your goal. Mine was to cut the cable bill by at least $100.00 a month (ended up saving $166!!!).

If your goal is to provide every show and games to everyone at any time, then it is best to stay with cable.

Step 1: Decide On A Streaming Service

A. Programming

There are many streaming services to choose from - Hulu, Sling, YouTube, etc. Go to their websites and you will see a list of all the channels they provide to your area. If the channels you watch most often are listed, then that may be a good streaming service for you.

Personal Experience: Hulu vs. Hulu Live: Hulu, was not for us. It’s a library of shows that you could bring up on demand.

We wanted live streaming - news shows as they happened, TV shows that were airing now and live sports. We looked at Hulu Live and decided it had all the channels we needed. It also had original programming.

B. Price

Besides deciding based on programming, you need to look at price. They all vary slightly and have different packages. Personal Experience: We selected a package that allows us to stream only on two devices at one time. We have it on more devices, but only two devices can be on it at the same time. It is possible to sign up for more devices but the price of the package will increase. The cost of Hulu (just the library) is about $6.00/month. The price of Hulu Live with two devices is about $55.

We limited it to two devices at a time because we decided we did not want everyone in their own rooms, or on their phones. We wanted to communicate together and do things other than be on electronics. Remember our goal was not to have everything available to everyone all the time. Otherwise we would have stayed with cable.

C. DVR Options

You may also want to consider the DVR options offered.

Step 2: Choose a Streaming Device (a set top box)

There needs to be a connection that brings the streaming to your device. If you have a smart TV, then it may already be wired for the streaming service (Hulu, Sling, YouTube, etc).

Go to the app through your remote and it will guide you through setup. Once an account is created, you can immediately start watching through the streaming service.

At this point you are not disconnected from cable, so you will loose nothing. Usually there is a free week or 14-day trial to see if you like it. You will not need it because you will immediately see that there is very little difference.

If you do not have a smart TV, then you need to purchase a set top streaming box or stick (Roku box, Amazon firestick, etc.). This gives your device a portal from which to stream. They are fairly inexpensive.

It is about the size of a deck of cards and connects easily to your TV. Once you plug it in, it will walk you through creating an account and you can begin streaming as soon as you are set up.

Personal Experience: We have a smart TV, but it was too old to do direct streaming. We needed to purchase a Roku box for everything to work.

What You Will Be Giving Up

There is no access to premium channels like HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc. These channels are available in standalone format and you can purchase them separately.

There also are no local channels. I don’t mean network channels that carry local news. You can still get for example, CBS news (at 5:00, 6:00 or 11:00) that has local anchors covering regional news and events.

However, if your area has a truly local station, for example News12 – New Jersey Local News, may not be on the streaming service lineup. This also includes, PBS and other local stations.

There is a chance that your streaming service may offer it, but check their website. Also, foreign TV channels usually aren’t available. Again, check your streaming service.

Option: Indoor Antenna

To get local channels, you can get an indoor antenna. When you want to watch local stations, use your TV remote to switch to the antenna. You will no longer be on your streaming service because the antenna will broadcast the local signals to your home. When you are done watching, switch back to the streaming service.

These antennas are very small, install it near your TV and are fairly inexpensive. The deciding factor whether an indoor antenna is suitable for you depends on where you live.

Personal experience: We cannot use an indoor antenna because we did not want to cut down some trees close to our house, and also we are too far from the broadcasting towers.

Step 3: Notify The Cable Company

You are not done until you notify the cable company.

Like most people, we had our phone, TV and internet bundled together to get a reduced price. In the bundle our internet was $60 and our phone was $10 for a total of $70 per month. We decided to disconnect our phone. The only calls we were getting on our house phone were telemarketing ones.

When we called to cancel TV and phone, we were told our internet only price would now be $90.

We asked for a deal and to speak to the retention department. They gave us a deal if we kept one TV with cable and our phone, it would be only $60 per month.

We took the relief even though it was for only one year. I marked the date on my calendar one month before it’s due to expire and will call back then to negotiate another deal.

The deal actually solved our indoor antenna problem. Having cable on one device we can switch to it when we want to watch local channels or PBS.

You are still not done until you return your equipment to the cable company – cable boxes, remotes, etc.. Don’t forget the modem too (see below for more info). The companies have local drop offs, so when you call to cancel ask for the closest return location.

How To Save Even More Money: Buy A Modem

Most likely, you are renting one from the cable company for about $10 per month. Personal experience: We calculated that we paid about $1500 in rental fees for an $80 modem. The costs were rising every month.

We called the cable company to tell them we were returning the modem and asked what do they recommend as a replacement. They recommended models with several features. The one recommendation that we didn’t follow was they suggested we get one that allowed for phone connection. We were disconnecting our phone anyway and these type of modems were a lot more expensive.

We went to a local computer store. I am sure you could get them at office supply stores too. The sales people helped us, but we really didn’t need it. They are available to order online too. When you return your equipment, make sure to bring the modem.

When the new one comes, just disconnect the cables from the old one and insert them in the same spot on the new one. It’s easy. I did it and so can you!l

What's Not So Good

It takes a little longer to turn on the TV and get to the channel. More than one button on the remote is pressed and then you have to find the menu that you want. It takes about 15 seconds instead of instantaneously.

At times there is some buffering. This can be tough if you are at an integral part of what you are viewing. Hopefully, the new modem that you purchase will provide a stronger, faster internet connection. Yet, there will still be a little buffering.

Extras: Netflix, Amazon, Etc.

Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are not included and you have to pay extra for them. Personal experience: We didn’t consider Amazon Prime as an addition to our cable bill because we use it for getting free delivery with our online purchases. We already had Netflix.

Just be careful, if you start adding more and more streaming services and specialty channels, it can really add up. Again, if your goal is to have it all, stay with cable.

Some Things To Keep In Mind

People don’t want to cut the cord because they are concerned about what they will be missing . Personal experience: We found that we had a more robust lineup and more viewing options then ever before. We did not miss out on any shows or live events.

The money saved is so worth it. It could be equivalent to a week of groceries, a car payment, or a nice dinner out for you and your family.

If you use a streaming box or stick, the manufacturer has many varieties of remotes. Personal experience: We went with the deluxe. It not only turns the TV on and off, but it allows us to change the volume and mute also. This way we just need one remote and put away the one that came with the TV.

Initially, you may be spending a little more money to optimize your system, - a new modem, a set top box or two, maybe even a new smart TV. Remember, you will still come out ahead financially.

Just Do It!

The time has come to cut the cord. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back. Although I have never heard of anyone doing that. Instead, all I hear is that people wished they had done it sooner. Me included.

If I can do it, you can do it. Just do it!