As more and more millennials are cutting the cord, cable providers are scrambling to figure out what to do.
Ten years ago, it was completely normal to pay over $100 each month for your cable TV service. These days, thanks to the internet, it’s possible to eliminate that cost altogether.
This post discusses how to save at least $100 each month on your cable bill.
Why are cable bills so expensive?
The main reason that cable bills are so expensive is because so many consumers are lazy. They simply don’t know that cheaper options exist, or that they can negotiate the price of their bill.
Also, many people are paying for a boatload of channels that they don’t even watch. While it might sound nice to have over 200 channels, how often do you actually watch all of them?
How to lower your cable bill with a new provider
The first thing you should do is look online to see which cable providers are available in your area. In most places, you have more than one option (for example, Comcast XFINITY, AT&T U-Verse, Frontier, or Dish Network).
Once you determine which providers are available, give each of them a call and get a quote for service. Then, use each quote as leverage toward lowering your bill with the next provider.
For example, if Comcast says their cheapest plan is $80, tell the AT&T sales rep that you are happy to sign up for $50, and see what they say. Most of the time, cable salespeople have flexibility and special offers for new customers.
How to lower your bill when you’re locked in
Unfortunately, many people are locked into cable contracts that they can’t get out of. Or, they only have access to one cable provider.
In these instances, try reducing your channel package to the bare minimum. You might not get to watch the premium movie channels that you love, but, you can easily save $50 or more each month by sticking with a basic channel package.
Cut the cord
Do you really want to save $100 or more each month on your cable bill? Then it’s time to cut the cord.
Dozens of streaming TV and movie services now exist, like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Disney+, and more. The price for this type of subscription is usually around $10 each month.
Get an HD antenna
If you live in a city, or near a local broadcast region, you can most likely pick up over a dozen local channels, in HD quality, for free. Check out this list of the best HDTV antennas to get an idea for how much they cost, and which device might be best for your location.
What will you do with your cable savings?
Once you cut the cord, or reduce your channel package, you’ll never look back. Use that extra $50 or $100 you are saving each month to pay off your student loan or credit card debt, save for retirement, or plan a vacation. The choice is yours!
