It’s hard to fathom why it took us so long. The thought of severing ties with our cable provider had been swirling around in our minds for months, but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to do it. Engrossed in a multitude of shows, just like many other Americans, we found ourselves in front of the television night after night.
Change can be daunting, but we realized we had to embrace it. A substantial number of people are opting out of their pricey, lengthy cable contracts, and we desired to be part of this movement.
Initially, just to test the waters, we switched to the smallest cable package, which, surprisingly, still cost us a hefty $80. This downsized our channel choices, resulting in less TV time.
Approximately six months ago, we plucked up courage and bid goodbye to our cable subscription. In hindsight, we wish we had done it sooner.
Our aim wasn’t to abandon TV altogether. Rather, we wanted to reduce our consumption while saving money. You can adopt this lifestyle too. Here’s why you should seriously consider ditching cable.
TV DEVOURS TIME
Most of the time, watching TV is just a black hole for time. It’s passive entertainment, which often leaves us looking like mindless automatons, completely absorbed and oblivious. It’s never an image one would find appealing.
After a gruelling day at work, it’s all too easy to succumb to the seduction of the TV. However, we decided we didn’t want our family huddled around the screen every night. We didn’t want this for our 4-year-old, nor for ourselves. There were a plethora of other enriching activities we could be indulging in.
Between cell phones, laptops, and tablets, we were already exposed to enough screens. We aimed to reduce our TV time, especially with our young, easily influenced daughter. The simplest solution was to eliminate cable, erasing the temptation entirely.
Considering following suit? Here are four good reasons to stop overpaying for a cable subscription!
AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVES ABOUND
The reign of costly cable subscriptions is waning. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Sling TV, the internet, or even a good old antenna provide access to your favorite shows. Thus, choosing an expensive cable subscription is becoming less logical.
With the money saved from our first cable-free month, we invested in an antenna for our home. It gives us access to a sufficient number of channels and PBS for our child to indulge in her favorite cartoons, without additional monthly costs.
Moreover, we can keep up with our favorite shows via the internet, albeit not live, saving us significant cable expenses.
On another note, my husband’s devotion to college football was once the overriding reason for keeping our cable subscription. But a much cheaper plan provided by Sling TV, offering ESPN, proved to be a game changer. It costs a mere $20 monthly without any contracts.
YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS
The time we unknowingly dedicate to our TVs is staggering. While all TV is not intrinsically bad, it’s critical to monitor consumption levels, understand its influence on our kids, and realize the opportunities we’re forfeiting for those few hours of frivolous entertainment.
Each moment is precious. We shouldn’t squander it on mindless TV watching. Spend time playing with your kids or pursue that hobby you’ve always wanted to take up. Once you’ve managed to extricate TV from your routine, you’ll marvel at all the extra time you now have.
Certainly, TV can provide stress relief, especially after a demanding day. But after severing ties with cable, discovering various other, more fulfilling relaxation techniques is a revelation. It could be as simple as reading a book, dozing off for a short nap, savoring a hot cup of tea, or soaking in a warm bath.
AVOID DOUBLE-PAYING FOR TV
I grew weary of the feeling of paying twice for TV, a sentiment perhaps shared by many who subscribe to cable. Not only was I shelling out over $100 monthly, but I also had to endure numerous commercials. It seemed unfair to pay for TV only to be bombarded with nearly a third of the time with advertisements.
Since cutting our cable connection, we’ve regained significant time and money, with no regrets. It’s actually bewildering why we hadn’t ended it sooner. If you still have your cable TV, I strongly encourage you to let it go. You’d be amazed at the variety of productive ways to utilize your time and trust me, within a month, you won’t miss it whatsoever.
Do you think you could live without your TV? Have you cut the cable cord yet? Are you even contemplating it?
