Cut Down Your Cable Bill

Many who are into Netflix, Hulu+, and subscribe to various online television memberships have been able to completely ditched cable completely; but for some of us we just can't give up the tube.  Here's a few short and sweet tips for all of you trying to save money on your home entertainment.

1. Find the best deal in the area.  Whether it's cable, satellite, or something else; once you're out of your contract, shopping around to find the best deal is your best bet.  Be sure to look beyond the introductory price to see if you're actually saving any money though.
2. Just ask.  Believe it or not, sometimes all it takes to reduce your bill is just asking.  Providers don't like to hear that you're unhappy with what you're paying, the service you're receiving, or that you're thinking of dropping their plan.  They will usually bend over backward to keep you happy in this situation.  Asking the right questions makes all the difference.
3. Don't forget about basic channels.  We often forget that basic channels are free over-the-air and are often broadcast in HD.  Having more channels is great, but most of the shows I watch weekly are on basic stations.
4. Visit your library, Redbox, or Netflix.  If you're tired of paying for premium channels just to watch movies, local libraries often carries up-to-date DVD releases for free.  Also, renting DVDs from Redbox only costs a buck, and Netflix is unlimited for $7.99 per month.  If you subscribe to premium channels for the shows, there may not be a way around this unless you wait for them to come out on DVD...like I do for Showtime shows (don't tell me what happened this season on Dexter).
5. Figure out what you're actually watching.  If you're not watching as many channels as you thought, you might want to drop your cable package down to the next level and watch some of your shows online a-la-carte.
6. TV can be a social event.  TV can often be more fun watching it with a group.  If a friend who has a show that you don't but want to watch, and they're ready and willing to pay and watch it with you, suggest watching it with a group.

I hope this might help cut some costs and put a little cash back in your pocket.

Signing off...

Rob Cartwright