Cost Cutting Idea #1

I have to admit that I wasted a lot of money on cable TV. When I first got my job, the difference between my graduate student stipend and what I was earning as a software developer was so high that I thought I could afford any TV package I choose. Therefore, I proceeded to choose Comcast’s digital preferred with HBO package. And as if that wasn’t enough, I added a monthly subcription to an Indian channel on top. 

My income hasn’t changed much since then, but what has changed is my attitude towards money. I just cannot justify spending around $50-100 a month on cable TV anymore. The problem is not just the amount, but the fact that it is a recurring cost that I will have to pay every month - over the course of my lifetime this will probably add up to a fortune.

I will admit that I got rid of the monthly subscription to the Indian channel and HBO some time ago. Then I downgraded my subscription so that now I get channel 1-100 only. Now, I am thinking of taking one more step and going down to the basic package that has channels 1-29 only, and costs around $15 a month. The lineup basically contains network television and some government/education channels.

Now you may ask me why I am not getting an over the air antenna instead of continuing with my cable subscription. I did get an antenna, but my reception was horrible with it, so I am going to stick with Comcast for now.

Now, when I downgrade, the channels I believe I will miss the most are:

• USA (I love Monk, and the marathons for  House and Law & Order: SVU)
• Food Network (I love Unwrapped)
• Travel Channel (Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern is fascinating in a disgusting way)
• Life, Oxygen, and TBS (they sometimes have older movies that can be watched when there’s nothing else to watch)
• CNBC (I find Suze Orman’s Can I Afford It section very entertaining)

I watch mostly network television during the weeknights, and the above mentioned channels during the weekend. So, my plan of action to keep my sanity is:

• Watch Monk on usa.com – make sure to watch it every week so that I do not use missing Monk as an excuse to get the expensive package back
• Go to sleep early (by 11pm)  during the weekdays/ This way, I will be killing two birds with one stone – I will build up a stock of Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien to watch during the weekend (nbc.com has full episodes), and be able to wake up early and get to the gym before work the next day
• Hulu.com – hulu is a life saver – they have a huge variety of shows (albeit sometimes only a few episodes per series, but there’s still a lot of good stuff to watch). I have been using it since it was on beta, and if you haven’t tried it yet, I urge you to do so today.

Now that I have a plan, all I need to do is make the phone call to Comcast. I plan to do this soon – I really do, but I am not sure when I will be able to gather enough courage to finally take the plunge. But I promise to keep you updated

So now that you know all about my plans regarding cable TV, tell me about yours.  Do you have one? And are you ready to save a bunch by downgrading or eliminating your subscription?