One question I have been getting quite a bit lately is how can I save on my monthly cable bill? There are are some things you can do, some of them are pretty drastic, so just decide which will work for your family and budget!
Call And Ask. There are so many offers for new customers, but it seems those of us who have longevity with our provider just keep paying the same amount and never get a break! If you call and ask, they may have some offers for existing customer. Sometimes the fee structure or even bundling options have changed since you signed up, which can give you a price break on your monthly fees.
Make a Change. Sometimes there are some great offers for new customers. Just make sure you read the fine print carefully, like the program terms and cancellation fees. You do not want to sign up for something that could ultimately cost you money in the future.
Drop Some Channels. If you are paying for specialty channels (like HBO for example), you might be surprised at how much you are actually paying vs. how much you watch. For example, if you pay $15 a month and only watch 5 movies, then you are paying $3 per movie. You can rent movies at RedBox for just $1.20 each instead – which is much more cost effective!
Cancel Cable Service Completely. It may sound pretty drastic, but if you drop your cable altogether, you can use an antenna and booster and still gain access to several channels – including the major networks. You can purchase a Roku box for around $50+ and stream Netflix, HuluPlus, Amazon on Demand, Disney and other networks right to your television. The prices you pay varies based upon the channels/services you select will vary based upon the services you select, so keep that in mind when purchasing.
Buy Your Own DVR. If you look on your bill, you are more than likely paying a monthly rental fee for the DVR box. You might be able to find a great deal on one on Craigslist or other types of sites – where people have changed cable providers and have a box that they need to sell. You might pay a little more up front, but if you plan on staying with the company for a long time, this can easily pay for itself.
When it comes to saving money, you can do it – you just have to make sure that it works for you!
Tracie is a stay at home mom to three young children; ages 4, 6 and 8 in Raymore, Missouri. In November 2007, she and her husband decided to eliminate their debt and made many changes in their lifestyle to do just that.
In 27 months, they eradicated over $37,000 in debt through both budgeting and learning how to live a frugal life. She now shares her knowledge in order to help you stretch your hard-earned dollars so you can live the life you want.