Comments on: How to Keep TV from Stealing Your Money and Your Life

By: Aspertame

Aspertame — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

One thing you don’t mention is how many networks are now offering full episodes onine – go to usa.com, cbs.com, syfy.com…you get the idea — they all tend to show their shows online. For free. With a whole lot FEWER commercials, usually. Sites such as hulu.com and fancast.com link to tons of online shows, both current and “classic” tv. If you already have a decently powered computer with a tv size screen and newer video board — “older” can mean buffering Sloooowdown headaches — you’re set. (Or a digital TV to hook the computer to – yes, you can do that. Get tutorials online or bribe a geek friend!)

We dumped the Comcast last month, saving us $85+/month – All of our favorite shows are available to us to watch online, sometimes a week lagging behind the broadcast dates, but most we can watch online the day after they’d air on cable. We have “rabbit ears” to pick up crystal clear digital broadcast stations locally, so seriously not a sacrifice!

By: Viviana

Viviana — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I gave up TV service about a month ago when my television died. It is now working again and I am debating whether to get the paid service reinstated.

I have become more productive and more social without the TV but I do miss an evening watching a film or having it on when crafting. I find that watching programs on my laptop actually demands more of my attention then having it on a bigger screen.

Has anyone else found that people think you are strange when you tell that you don’t have TV? I have been told that I am brave.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I canceled TV service about 4 months back and have never been happier or more productive. Sure, it’s nice to have it and nice to lay around watching it… but at the end of the day, it is a waste of time and money.

By: Bible Money Matters

Bible Money Matters — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I recently wrote on my blog about how my wife and I haven’t paid for cable TV since we’ve been married, and then went on to talk about how we were able to get all the shows we wanted for free by streaming them to our Xbox. Well, a few weeks after I wrote that we bought a new 50″ plasma TV and my wife insisted that we get cable tv. So we did. *sigh. On a positive note we were able to get a great deal on our cable package, and get a ton of free extras by doing a little bit of homework, and ordering our package through the cable company’s online chat – instead of through their website or by phone (where they woudldn’t give us any extras). In any event, if you do get cable or satellite, do your homework, and push to get the extras for free or reduced. More often than not they’ll give it to you – even if you have to try a few times.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Do what I did and get one of the home brewed solutions. It may sound super nerdy but there are so many options out there for free TV alternatives that its ridicules to be paying anything for TV, in my opinion. Now with Boxee.tv released this past Monday, you can get even more free TV in more convenient ways..

http://www.pffirewall.com/moneysaving/ditch-cable-bill/

By: Vas

Vas — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I love my paid TV however I know that too much paid TV is just plain unproductive. I limit myself
during the week to 1-2 hours a night max. Weekends
probably spend more time on it but only because of the sport. It definitely helps me unwind during the week after work. I suggest that you only start to watch TV after all jobs are done. I stick to this and my TV time is like my reward

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I have also mixed feeling about watching TV.

While it is a big money and time consumer, it also allows to turn my brain off and relax.

You sometimes need to find a balance where you are allowed to spend time on “useless” activities. It is good to avoid burnouts

I actually watch TV through TIVO in order to avoid commercials and save times (it takes only 40 minutes to watch a 1hour show ).

one thing is for sure, I won’t stop watching hockey!