How to get rid of cable (and still watch your favorite shows)

(Source)

About two months ago I took the plunge and canceled our cable.  Am I crazy?  Well Andy and Josh would have told you I was, two months ago.  In fact, when I told them that I had cancelled the cable their reactions were well, not very good. 

"Whatever.  Just do it after the NBA finals." (Oops.  How am I supposed to know when game 7 was?)
"What?! You're cancelling Cartoon Network just to save money?" (Thanks Josh for your support.)

Alright well it was cancelled.  Let's look at why it was cancelled.  I had my work cutout for me - I had to convince my two guys that it was going to be ok - no wait, better this way.

We had our cable, Internet & home phone bundled together.  After taxes and charges we were spending $160 a month.  That's $1920 a year.  That's too much for the frugal mama.

I kept our Internet on for and upgraded the speed (yeah!) for $25 a month.

Then I had to figure out how to get those boys happy!

(Source)

First I signed up for Netflix.  I know you've heard of Netflix.  It streams right through our Xbox and the Wii.  But it also streams right through Josh's 3DS and my computer.  Unlimited streaming of movies and television shows for $7.99.  Plus you get 1 month free!

(Source)

Then, I signed up for Hulu Plus.  It also streams through our game system and the computer.  I have to say, I'm not much of a fan of Hulu's movies but I watch the television shows ALL THE TIME!  I love that they have classic shows, but they also have current shows.  In fact, I'm watching Days of Our Lives right now! (Some shows are streamed the very next day!) It has tv networks like Fox, CBS, MTV, CW, A&E and shows like Law & Order SVU, Desperate Housewives, The Today Show & more.  You get current seasons as well as past seasons.  All for $7.99 a month. Plus try it and get 1-week FREE trial week! 

Boys are happy.  But then Andy thought about his basketball.  Turns out that he could watch it online.  And he was able to connect the lap top up to our tv.  Most networks have live, full episodes online. 

(Source)

With the money I was saving I went ahead and signed up for one more service.  Blockbuster.  I figured we might as well try it since you get 1 month for free.  With Blockbuster you can get DVDs through the mail.  But not just DVDs.  You get Blue Rays and VIDEO GAMES at no extra cost!  I chose the option for 3 out at a time (one for each of us!) for $20.00 a month (remember the first month is free!).

I love it because I'm saving money on video games.  Josh has been begging for some Mario game.  Normally I would have bought it (New costs $50 and used costs $35) Well we got it in the mail the other day and he played it for oh I don't know 5 minutes? And said "eh mom you can send this back.  I don't really like it."  If I would have bought it used for $35 and then taken it back to GameStop to resell it I maybe would have gotten about $10 (if I was lucky). 

Alright.  So month one.  Spent $25 for the internet.  Got Netflix and Blockbuster for free.  And I spent $7.99 for Hulu Plus after a free week.  So the first month I spent $32.99! And saved $127 the first month! 

After the first month I am spending $25 for the Internet and $35.98 for Blockbuster, Netflix and Hulu Plus.  For a total of $60.98.   And my boys are happier than ever - they watch their shows AND now they get video games in the mail! For a savings of $99 a month.  A savings of $1188 a year!!

Pretty awesome right?!? $1188 a year? That's HUGE for my family. We are getting ready to purchase Ooma Telo Free Home Phone Service for our house phone (it's an extremely low cost home phone - ours should run about $4 a month for unlimited local and long distance calls plus lots of other features).  It runs right through the Internet.  After we use it for a little while I will let you all know how it works! :)


Live a FabuLESS Life is now seeking advertisers. If you have a blog, Etsy shop or home business that you think would be a good match for Live A FabuLESS Life let me know! For up to date stats and more information please email me at liveafabulesslife@yahoo.com