"Cutting the Cord"- Hello New Year ~ Goodbye Expensive Cable Bill

 

THE STORY

Let's dive into this blogging thing and into the new year saving money!  Sat down and was looking over bills when I realized that my husband has been paying our cable bill unknowingly with a price increase of nearly $45 each month since August.  By the time I found it, we had payed $165+ additional for the same package we've had for years.  That's going to sting for a while.

We moved here roughly 5 years ago.  When we moved we got an amazing deal for a combo package that included cable, internet, and phone.  It was only a matter of time before they realized the error of their ways.  Around August they significantly increased our bill.  One phone call later they refused to budge on the price increase.  You would think that loyalty would mean something, but I guess in the cable world it doesn't.  Right there we told them to cancel everything but internet.

CUTTING THE CORD

The question from here was what are our options?  After some research, I realized this is a huge thing now.  Commonly referred to as "cutting the cord."  I'm going to share what I've learned in a format that I think will make this easier to understand.  If this is something you're interested in you need to first ask yourself a few questions:

Do you have internet? 

Honestly, most of the options that I'm going to discuss with you require internet.  However, there is an option that doesn't. 
Even if you have internet, this option provides most people with all their local channels for FREE. You read that correctly, FREE.

Gone are the days of traditional antennas, rabbit ears, tin foil, and giant satellites the size of small cars in your yard.  That said, antennas still exist today, and the technology is roughly the same.

According to Channel Master's, who specialize in this area, "the actual reception technology has not changed in decades. Antennas come in all different shapes and sizes today, even sci-fi-like designs, but those are physical changes not technical advancements.  If you buy an older home and discover a TV antenna in your attic or on your roof, it's going to receive the same pristine digital broadcast signals as anything you would buy today."

There are lots of options & it just depends how you want to approach this.

Antenna or Rabbit Ears (Indoor) 

We went for the flat antenna as opposed to the rabbit ears for our local channels.  I'll be honest in that we just ordered this item from amazon.  We live in a heavy populated metropolitan area so I'm hoping this bad-boy will do the trick.  I'll keep you guys posted.  You'll notice all the options in the photo above for placement of the flat antenna.  I even read a tip that said to post near windows with curtains so that you cannot see it if the design bothers you.

UPDATE: We installed our antenna today. It was the indoor option that I will link just below this post.  We receive roughly 40 channels for free now. Most of them are spanish, cvs, etc.  However, the good news is we are getting Fox, CBS, NBC, KERA, etc all crystal clear and just for the cost of the antenna.  If we wanted to get more, we could try the mounted options that are mentioned below.  We may try that this summer. That said, as of right now we are ecstatic with what we do have and in no way missing our expensive cable or cable bill! Less then $20 and one afternoon to set it up. Super simple with just a little maneuvering to get it in the right place to get the best reception. 

Click here for the option we ordered: Note that we have a newer tv with the digital analog reader built into the tv. 

 Antenna (Outdoor or Attic)

If you need a stronger antenna, there are attic and outdoor mount options available.  They require a little more work installing and routing cables to your TV sets.  However this route may result in better reception and additional channels.  You decide if it's worth it to you. Cost $20+ depending on the option you pick.  I'm not yet at the point where I need to go this hardcore. If we do, I'll keep you guys posted as well.  

Channel Master covers everything you could ever want to know about Antenna Selection in their guide here. Got questions? This is the place to go too get answers. CLICK HERE

This website also calculates how close you are to the nearest cable provider. It will help you decide on the strength of the antenna option you desire.  CLICK HERE

For perspective, when we typed our address in we have the chance of getting up to 71 channels from 21 over-the-air stations all for the cost of the antenna.  Why have I not heard of this before?  It makes me excited just typing it.   

Titan TV provides a free online TV Guide for these channels.  CLICK HERE 

Special Note that you have to know the type of TV you have. This will effect the options you buy. In other words, do you have an older TV, HDTV, or 4K?  What type of hook ups does your TV have? Do you have HDMI hook ups or something else?  Know these when you go to purchase accessories.

What channels or shows do you typically watch the most? Can you live without DVR, aka the ability to record your shows and watch them later?

Now you need to decide what channels or shows that you typically watch, and what options are available to get those.  We've covered how to get most of your local channels.  Now, how do we cover the rest?  Here you have lots of options.  Most of these are provided via streaming services and the media players that make streaming possible.  As a result, you must have internet for this option.

If you don't have a gaming system or smart TV that are compatible with the streaming services you're looking into, you need to invest in a media player.  Note that this is a one time purchase and will pay for itself typically the first month of cord cutting. 

• Roku ($29-$99 options)
• Amazon Fire TV Stick ($39-$70 options)
• Chromecast ($35+ options)- Limited compared to other options. Requires a device to "mirror" meaning extra work.
• Apple TV (Expensive $$) Didn't do much research on this one after I looked at the price & what it offers. Limited compared to the other options.

We have a PS4 but after research it did not offer all the TV and streaming options that we were interested in so we decided to purchase the Roku.  The Roku & Amazon Fire TV stick are extremely similar.  We chose to go with Roku as it was a little cheaper and also includes some additional free content like The Roku Channel which has free movies and TV.  Roku offers several different versions of it's media player but after staring at all the options I went with the cheapest player they offer. Here's the link for the one we purchased from Walmart.

Roku: Quick Guide- Website Click HERE

Roku Express vs. Roku Express+ 
If you have an older tv, you'll probably need the Express+ as it includes the ability to use older cords. Otherwise, go with the Express.
Roku Streaming Stick vs Roku Streaming Stick+
If you have a weaker internet connection, you'll want to go with one of these options.  If you want to stream in 4K, you want to go with the Roku Streaming Stick+ or the Ultra.
Roku Ultra
If you have an extremely weak connection this has the option to plug the ethernet cord in directly. It also has some other niceties but it's the most expensive of the options.

Again, there is no monthly subscription unless it's charged by the channel your streaming. For example, Netflix & Hulu ($6-$10 month)

Only took us just a few minutes to get Roku plugged in and the set up going.  What channels are actually offered FREE?  I've given you a small list. Understand that most of these offer older content, not new. If you want new, you'll have to subscribe to services separately which can be streamed on both Roku and the Amazon Fire Stick. We'll talk more about this in a moment. 

• The Roku Channel, Pluto, Tubi, Film Rise, CoolFlix- FREE Movies- (similar to Netflix only significantly a more limited list. Most are older films.)
• News Channels- CBS, NBC, Newsy, etc
• NBC/ABC- some shows blocked (Appears to be newer episodes. They may unlock later. Channel Free with Antenna)
• HappyKids.tv
• PBS/PBS Kids
• Popcornflix Kids
• Crunchyroll
• NickJr.
• YouTube
• Pokemon TV
• Weather Nation
• CWSeed

Other channels are available but you have to have a cable subscription or that channel individually.

How to enhance your media player with the new content?  This is what we did in addition to what's available.

AmazonTV- we get for free with our Amazon Prime Subscription ($99 year)
Hulu- New TV content and movies (currently only $6 month) 
Netflix- Movies (Newer/Older Content) & More ($10 month)
Vudu/ MoviesEverywhere- Free content, movies, etc. Purchase or Rent New Movies. In addition, download all your digital copy movies to stream anywhere anytime.

Other options:

Subscribe to channels individually- Note: not offered for all channels.
Example(s): HBO ($15 month) or Hallmark Movies ($4-5.99 month)

Sling- Packages starting at $20 a month includes most of the channels you watch now. Ability to add channel packages based on what you watch. Known as Al a Carte TV.  AKA, you get to pay for what you use. 

• Pro: Cheapest (Hands down, cable without the cost)/ Customization/ No Contract
  
• Cons: Most packages can only be used on one device at a time  
• DVR option: Additional monthly cost 

DirectTVNow- Packages $35-70 a month. Direct TV is basically a cable company. I might be a little cautious. The great news is no contract. If you don't like them, you can cancel. 

• Pro: Customizable?/ No Contract/More channels then Sling but cost more
  
• Cons: Most packages can only be used on one device at a time. Customers the least satisfied with this option compared to the others listed. 
  
• DVR option: Not currently an option

PlaystationVue- Packages $40-$75 a month. Highest customer approval rating across the board based on their pros listed below.

• Pro: Can be streamed on up to 5 different devices/TVS at the same time! The other providers do not offer this.  You also get DVR.
• Cons: More expensive
• DVR: Yes!

Need More Info: Click Here for Tom's Guide- Comparing the Three

Do you like sports?

Here's the truth. Depending on how much of an avid sports fan you are, it will be difficult to replicate a sports package.  It may result in you paying more then if you didn't cut the cord.  Look at your options and decide. All of the extra options above offer add-ons for sports but at a cost.  You have to decide if it's worth it to you.  The goal is to save $$ and to be happy! 

Want to try this all but still nervous about it?  I've figured out how to do it for just the cost of your media player? Here's some special offers that can make that happen.  No-Strings-Attached/No Contracts

 Sling- Special Offer(s)

• Pay for two months in advance get a FREE Roku Express
  
• OR 
• Pay for two months in advance get a FREE Amazon Fire Stick

With these offers, you're basically getting to try two months of Sling for FREE.  Plus, you get your media player as a BONUS.  There is no contract. If you don't like it, cancel after the two months and keep your media device. Try something different. 

DirectTVNow- Special Offer(s)

• Pay for one month get a FREE Roku Streaming Stick  

Sling & DirectTVNow are not offering me any perks for the promotion. Like I said, I just like getting more for FREE. With this option, you're getting your media player and one-two months of streaming TV/Movies for the same price. It's simple math. 
It's a two-for-one price deal.  !Win Win!