Cutting the cable TV cord has benefits that go beyond the financial. Sure, you're saving $50 or so a month by going without cable. But there are other good things that happen when you go without cable, many which may not come to mind when you first start thinking about making the move because you're focused on saving money. (See also:Massive List of Things to Do While Watching TV)
There's the obvious satisfaction of "sticking it to The Man" and not having to support a business that won't let you pay for only the stations you want to watch. Other benefits, however, may not be so obvious. But before I get into those, it's worth pointing out that the expected financial savings might not be as good as you might think.
The Somewhat Surprising Reality of Living Without Cable
My family cut cable at our house in early June, mainly as a test run during the slow summer TV season to see if we could live without it. We also wanted to save some money, which I'm quickly realizing is being eaten up by other costs that Wise Bread has covered. While our cable bill dropped by $50 a month, we still pay for alternatives that don't look like a lot by themselves, but add up.
Here are some of them, some of which are one-time expenses and others monthly:
- Netflix streaming at $8 per month.
- HuluPlus at $8 per month. We don't have this yet, but I can see it coming in handy in the fall.
- Occasional TV series purchase such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," about $20 a month.
- Redbox movie rentals at $1.20 or more each, for maybe five movies a month at $6 total.
- Roku box to watch shows, a one-time cost of $100.
- Antenna for TV, a one-time cost of $25, though much more can be spent.
- HDMI cable and adapter to hook up computer to TV so online shows can be viewed. A one-time cost of $50.
After spending about $42 a month on shows, I'm only spending $8 less each month than I did with cable. (It's worth noting that we had Netflix streaming when we had cable, and I'm not including our monthly Internet fee because it's an expense we'd have with or without a TV.) Add in the $175 for equipment, and the $8 monthly savings will take almost 22 months (two years!) to pay for it. Then I'll really start saving money.
Benefits of Cutting Cable
Since I'm not saving any money for two years, what do I gain by not having cable TV? A lot, in my view. Here are some benefits.
Less Channel Surfing
Since we no longer have hundreds of channels to scan, there's less mindless channel surfing and wasting time looking for something to watch. There's something hypnotic about scrolling through channels that's sort of relaxing, but it's also a waste of time that leaves you wondering why you're paying for cable TV if there's nothing on.
Paying for What You Want to Watch
There's plenty of extra stuff on Netflix and elsewhere in the non-cable world, but it's nice knowing that I'm not paying for a channel that I'll never watch and can instead buy a season of a show I really want to watch. I may not come across a great show by accident, but I'll take that chance.
Free Time
If we don't know ahead of time what we're going to watch, we're unlikely to turn the TV on. I don't want to make it sound like my family has turned Amish and we're not watching TV at all, or that we've discovered more family time and are playing more board games together and reading more books. But we are finding time to do other things, and my library card is being used more.
These are things you can't put a price on, though I suspect that even these may not be enough to prevent us from calling the cable company back in six months when we get tired of missing pro sports.
FAQs
Benefits of cutting the cord
There are a number of significant benefits to cord cutting, including cost savings, broader selections of content, and convenience. Many cord cutters will install an antenna to add local broadcast stations to further enhance their viewing options.
Does cutting the cord actually save money? ›
Cutting the cord on cable TV still makes good fiscal sense for most households. The trick is thinking outside the cable box to find affordable options for live TV services, so you don't have to pay extra to catch the big game or the local news.
What are the benefits of getting rid of cable? ›
Benefits of Cutting Cable
- Less Channel Surfing. Since we no longer have hundreds of channels to scan, there's less mindless channel surfing and wasting time looking for something to watch. ...
- Paying for What You Want to Watch. ...
- Free Time.
One of the main reasons people look at cable TV alternatives is cost; the average monthly cable TV bill in the US is $217.42, equating to over $2,600 per year.
What are the benefits of waiting to cut the cord? ›
Delayed umbilical cord clamping is associated with significant neonatal benefits in preterm infants, including improved transitional circulation, better establishment of red blood cell volume, decreased need for blood transfusion, and lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage.
What are the effects of cord-cutting? ›
The effects of cord cutting may extend beyond the emotional realm and manifest in both physical and mental aspects. Physically, cord cutting may lead to a reduced sense of stress and tension in interactions with the individual for both you and the other person.
How can I watch TV without cable or internet? ›
Use An HD Antenna To Watch Over-The-Air TV
An HD antenna is an excellent option for watching Over-The-Air TV (OTA HDTV). To get started, select an indoor antenna compatible with your area and powerful enough to deliver the local channels you want.
Do you really need cable TV anymore? ›
There is simply no need to be forking over $200 a month for cable TV in the year 2023. It's a waste of both money and mind. Afraid to quit cable? I'd wager half of what you watch isn't even on television anymore, but on a streaming service like Netflix or Disney+.
What are the cons of cord-cutting? ›
Cutting the cord is going to change your TV viewing patterns
So, one of the most common complaints about quitting cable is that now you need to subscribe to a variety of services in order to continue viewing all the shows you enjoy.
Is it worth it to cancel cable? ›
The average US household spends $109 a month on cable or satellite TV. If you cancel cable and go all-in on free streaming, you could save $1300+ per year. You could mix and match two streaming services each month and still save $1000+ each year.
To cut the cord and start streaming TV over the internet you'll need:
- A modem and WiFi router;
- A WiFi extender (for larger homes);
- A streaming video service;
- A streaming device for your TV;
Cutting the cord can not only save you money, but it reduces the number of devices and cables to organize, allowing for a cleaner setup.
Do I need cable with a smart TV? ›
Long story short, you no longer need a cable subscription to watch your favorite shows and movies on a smart TV. There are many options available if you're looking to rely solely on streaming.
Why are people cancelling cable TV? ›
Rising cable costs and the thousands of options for shows and movies on various streaming services have been key factors in the popularity of cord-cutting. As long as streaming subscriptions are more affordable than cable for the average household, it makes sense to move away from cable.
Why is cutting the cord important? ›
Another concern is that a delay in umbilical cord clamping could increase the potential for excessive placental transfusion, and the increased hemoglobin may increase the risk of polycythemia or jaundice.
What happens when you cut off the umbilical cord? ›
When your baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and there is a stump left. The stump should dry and fall off by the time your baby is 5 to 15 days old. Keep the stump clean with gauze and water only. Sponge bathe the rest of your baby, as well.
What is the purpose of cutting around the umbilical cord? ›
Why is the umbilical cord clamped and cut after birth? As soon as your baby is born, your provider places 2 clamps on the umbilical cord to stop the blood flow. Then she or he cuts between the clamps on the cord so your baby is no longer attached to the placenta which is still in your uterus.
