When it comes to saving money month to month, I admit that I am NO expert. Whether our family likes it or not, we are living paycheck to paycheck for most months throughout the year, and that means cutting back on anything and everything we can. One bill that no one really ever wants to touch, due to a so-called “bundle” or because of the fear of losing ones favorite channels being recorded each week, is Cable.
Cable television, whether you subscribe through your phone company or local station can set back families as much as $100 or more a month. Why pay SO much for 1,000+ channels, when you realistically only watch about 10 or less. For many families, that is why I am writing this article…to save you money on your Television subscriptions AND find you a Cable Alternative that works best for you. This may just be the “kick in the pants” that you need!
Keep in mind, most of the options listed below suggest having a broadband internet connection (verizon broadband affiliate link ).
How to {ninja} kick the cable box!
So, you may be asking yourself…what could I use to substitute for Cable? Well, there are quite a few options! Here is just a quick list of some of my favorites, and a little info about each one.
Hulu and Hulu Plus : Hulu, is an online video service that offers a selection of hit shows, clips, movies and more for FREE. Or you can also try out Hulu Plus, priced at $7.99/month. Hulu Plus is available on connected TVs and Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, set-top boxes, mobile phones, and more. What’s nice about Hulu Plus is that it offers unlimited instant streaming of current hit shows, classic series and acclaimed movies. Watch any current season episode of top shows like Modern Family, Community, The Vampire Diaries, and many more.
Netflix : For $7.99/month, you can have a subscription that will provide you with endless movies and shows streamed to your television. Many online services limit the amount of time you have to watch a rental to one to two days after you begin to play it. Netflix, however, lets you keep discs as long as you wish, and its streaming content is available to view anytime. Netflix is getting heat from customers for changing its pricing model, charging separately for disc-rental and streaming subscriptions. But if you watch several movies in a month, a subscription service could still save you money. If you’re primarily interested in newer, popular movies, stick with disc rental. If you’d rather browse for less-current movies, documentaries and TV shows, Netflix’s streaming service has a broad selection.
I recommend that if you subscribe to Netflix, you have one of the following devices: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii or any other device that streams instantly from Netflix.
Amazon Prime : For $79 annually, you get unlimited movie and TV streaming.Watch thousands of your favorite movies and TV shows online, at home on your TV, or on Kindle Fire or iPad. New customers are eligible to try out this program for 30 Days for FREE.
Vudu : VUDU is available without a monthly subscription or contract through Walmart. There are no late fees, plus thousands of our movies are available to rent for just $2 for 2 nights. Rent or own the hottest new releases instantly so you can watch them on your iPad, PlayStation 3, or computer, as well as on a VUDU-enabled TV or Blu-ray disc player. VUDU provides the largest library of HD movies, and you pay only for what you watch without a subscription or late fees. At Walmart.com you can shop for VUDU-enabled TVs from Mitsubishi and Vizio along with VUDU-enabled Blu-ray disc players from LG, Magnavox, Philips, Samsung, Sony and Vizio. Be sure to also check out their 99 Cent Movie of the Days as well!
A box of a different color!
These two options require that you BUY a box, and then stream your services with one of the options listed above (i.e., Hulu, Netflix, etc.).
Apple TV : For $99, you buy the box and attach it to your TV and use it with iTunes to stream your services through Hulu and Netflix. This is a really great source to use if you are familiar with Apple, and how their products work. To rent a show, costs about $0.99 and movie rentals start at $2.99. TV show rentals are 48 hours, movies are 24 hours. I wasn’t that impressed with the time limit and prices.
Roku : Starting at $49.99, you receive a box that hooks up to your television. For a little more money, you can even get a box that includes a remote with an earphone jack and motion control for video games. Like AppleTV, the box allows you to stream many free internet TV and movie channels and subscription services onto your television at home. There are hundreds of channels to choose from, and from what I could tell – there are NO monthly fees. Simply get the box, and you are set! This is definitely the best deal for your money, in my opinion! And be sure to check out this SUPER HOT DEAL ~ get $10 Off til 07/27/2013.
Where can I view FREE episodes of my favorite shows?
Many local networks, including FOX, ABC, NBC, ABC Family, Lifetime and others post entire episodes on the World Wide Web. I love being able to watch my shows while I work via the computer! Some other websites that offer FREE shows include:
What about FREE movies? Do they exist?
Well, of course they do! If you are willing to travel to your nearest Redbox or Blockbuster Express kiosks, you can rent a DVD or Blu-ray movie starting at 99 Cents/night! You can always find codes as well, they offer FREE nights throughout the year as well. Not to mention all the FREE movies and television series you can borrow from your local library for FREE!
- Well, for starters…you will definitely feel like a “lose-r” when you realize how you could have switched months, years, and maybe even a decade ago! The amount of money you save in a month, or even a year is incredible!! Would you rather spend $100 or $1200 to watch television each year?
- Local LIVE News ~ unless, you stream it from your computer, you will probably not get to see all the horrible violent things that occur in our everyday world. Admit it, you know its true. But again, you can just go to your local news website and view all the latest stories, videos, and even weather 24/7! Or if you are really wanting to see it on a daily basis, you can always dig out the old bunny ears! Yes, they will work with your flat screen (believe me, our family has watched many shows with this flashy feature – Ha!).
- Your DVR ~ since I have little ones, I tend to record about 95% off all the shows I watch. And then when I have the time (late at night or early in the morning), I watch them at my convenience. When you switch, you won’t have the option to record everything BUT you will know its there if you are signed up with Hulu or Netflix.
- For those of you that have endless numbers of channels, including sports favorites and children favorites – no worries! You can also subscribe to those for a small fee, or watch them online for FREE as well. I cannot tell you how many times my girls enjoy watching their favorite characters anytime they want! And, let me just say…I am so thankful for Disney Jr and Nick Jr!
What do you have to GAIN when you use an alternative?
- MONEY! I know I already stated it above, but this is what its all about! Saving money is key, even if its just a few dollars here and there. It adds up! That extra $50 you save each month could go towards paying off other bills!
- Peace of mind. Having too much of something can sometimes be stressful. That said, if you are more of a 50 channel family vs. a 5000 channel family – then switching would be perfect for you!
Overall, this is what it comes down to…don’t be afraid to leave your cable company! Change is hard, but if you’re being charged an arm and a leg (and maybe half your paycheck each week), then chances are you deserve better! Television is definitely not worth spending hundreds of dollars on each month – and to be honest, your time and money is better spent by spending time with your family.
Post published by Melissa Roach, our Product Review & Giveaway Specialist.
Melissa is a Full Time Mom & Blogger HERE (please check out her blog)
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