My family and I have recently had to cut back on costs and reconfigure our household budget because it began to feel as if we were living beyond our means. One major source of financial strain came from our astronomically high cable bill. At one point, I considered canceling our premium cable and switching back to basic cable. After careful consideration, I was able to come up with a better solution without resorting to rabbit ears on top of my flat screen. Here is a look at how I am saving my family 60 percent every month on our cable bill.
I Threatened to Go to Their Competitors for a Better Deal
CNNMoney reports that the average cable bill in America amounts to $75, with some consumers paying well over $100 for a larger range of channels. When I realized we were paying entirely too much for our cable service, I called up my cable company right away. I hinted that if we weren’t able to get a better rate on our service, we would be forced to sign up for cable service with their competitors. Suddenly, new doors opened up for us. The representative on the other line told us what we could get a better deal on our cable and we were suddenly faced with a bill that was 60% cheaper, equaling $65 in savings.
Drop the Premium Channels
First and foremost, we dropped the premium channels that we never watched. We kept one premium channel that my family watched frequently. Once we dropped the premium channels, our bill was significantly lower. I do not see any point in paying for channels that my family rarely or never watches. By dropping our premium channels, we saved an extra $10 per month.
Took Advantage of a Great Special
Talk about perfect timing. When I called my cable company, I was met with the lucky news that they were currently running a special and I was eligible to take advantage of it. This special offered up a package deal on cable, internet, and landline phone. By consolidating these services, I saved an additional $40 on my cable service.
Lost the DVR and Additional Cable Boxes
We were able to further our savings on our cable service by opting out of our DVR service and returning our DVR box and additional cable boxes. Since most of our shows are available on demand, there is really no need for a DVR service. Also, since we have a small house, there is really no need for additional cable boxes throughout the house. By dropping the DVR and additional cable boxes, we saved an additional $15 per month.
