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Top 5 Tips On How to Save On Your Cable Bill This Summer from BillShrink.com.
- Prioritize: Start by having a clear idea of what channels and shows you and your family really watch. Do you thirst for True Blood? Are your kids Hannah Montana fans? It’s easy to get lured into ordering lots of channels, there’s no point in receiving 100 channels if the 5 you really want aren’t included.
- Consider all the fees: Don’t just look at the programming/content cost to compare. You also need to look at the cost of equipment, the number of rooms, the type of equipment you will need, etc. These prices can vary by provider as well. Obviously, if you have fewer TVs, your total costs will be lower. Also, do you really need DVR in your guest room or extra rooms, think about how often you actually use those TVs.
- Take a TV vacation: While you’re on vacation this summer, get your cable provider to halt service while you are gone. Let’s say you love Entourage on HBO. When the summer three-month season is over, call your cable company and downgrade to a package with fewer channels until your favorite show is back on.
- Consider a long-term relationship: If you’ve found the right TV package and aren’t planning on moving soon, many providers offer additional discounts if you sign a two-year contract.
- Find premium shows online, but beware of upcoming costs: TV lovers can now find almost any show they want on the Internet. But beware that many of your favorite shows online now come with a price tag. Hulu, which used to be free and offered popular shows like Family Guy, Saturday Night Live, and Lost is now considering charging up to $10/month this summer. Instead, see if you can find those shows directly on the network’s website.
BillShrink is a free personalized search engine that compares millions of service options against an individual’s unique needs to help them save money.
I like your ideas on how to save on the cable bill. I did away with mine in 2009 and haven’t had TV since then. I tried a “box” but couldn’t get reception. I go to the Library and “rent” our DVDs and VHS tapes for free and although I miss a few of my favorite shows, I don’t miss having to decide if I should hold off on electric or gas to afford the cable. This is especially nice tho’, since my 7yr old Granddaughter lives with me and I’m not being bombarded by “Commercial” talk and her asking for things she really doesn’t need! Every cloud has a Silver Lining!! She gets closer monitoring on what she watches, and most times when we turn on the TV it’s something we all watch together. The only drawback is we’ve accumulated so many “favorites” that we own(Disney,H.Myazaki,etc.) we need more space! But then, who DOESN’T need more space anyway? LOL
Lynn I wish I could do the same. Great job!