Recently we have been trying to live a simpler life (and save a few bucks in the process).
About a month ago, we finally took the plunge and cancelled our cable. It was and it wasn’t an easy decision. We knew we really didn’t need it and we actually didn’t watch that many channels to be paying so much. We also don’t want Alex growing up thinking TV is a main form of entertainment, though the kid does love him some PBS Kids. The one thing that kept us on the fence was sports. I guess I should say that kept John on the fence. He really wasn’t sure about not having full access to his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes come Fall. Eventually, he realized there are other ways he can catch the games. So, after much deliberation, I trekked my butt out to our nearest Time Warner store and turned in our cable box and remote.
I’m not gonna lie, it was pretty freeing and also a little scary. I really don’t remember a time before having cable. First world problem, I know.
But don’t you fret! We ordered this RCA antenna for our TV to pick up local channels which has been nice. We watch Good Morning America in the morning and then there is basically nothing on all day so I don’t feel at all compelled to watch TV during the day. Phew. We also decided to order an Apple TV (to stream Netflix and Hulu Plus) because don’t get us wrong, we still like TV. We just don’t want it to run our lives. Now we control when we watch stuff and we aren’t flicking to random things that we really don’t want to be watching (Ahem, Sharknado).
We figured out that we will end up saving around $65 per month! That’s with the subscription to Netflix and Hulu Plus (which each run $8/month). How insane is that?? The initial shock of buying the antenna ($45) and the Apple TV ($100) wasn’t great, but when you look at it, that was only a little bit over how much we were paying EACH MONTH for cable and internet.
So, all the cool kids are canceling cable. Don’t be nervous. There are so many options to watch your favorite shows! But hey, if you love cable (or satellite), do your thing. You’re still cool to me.
