Money Savers Part 2: Cable Alternatives

money-savers-part-2

If you’ve been thinking about ditching cable, now is one of the best times to give it a shot! There are so many options for devices, streaming providers, exclusive shows, etc. that we haven’t missed having a cable a bit. And we certainly haven’t missed the extra $60+ a month we were paying for it, either!

Devices

The first thing we did before getting rid of cable was pick out a streaming device and make sure we had a solid internet speed. We knew we might do it in the near future, so several Christmases ago we requested a Roku stick as our gift. We wanted to test it out before actually cancelling our cable, and ended up loving it right away!

The best part about streaming devices is that they only require a one-time purchase, and there are many different “levels” of devices for you to choose from. (The Roku we originally tried is around $50 and can be purchased just about anywhere!) If you aren’t able to afford extra apps and streaming services, there are lots of free apps included. My favorite free app right now is YouTube because it makes finding preschool/baby songs and videos so easy! I also love that it’s portable so we can move it from room to room, or even take it with us when we go on vacation.

In addition to the Roku stick, we purchased a digital antenna. This isn’t required, but after experiencing a very scary weather situation a year ago we wanted to make sure we had the local news whenever we need it. And I won’t act like I don’t love still getting to watch my morning news and Live! With Kelly every morning. Ha!

Apps/Services

Adding streaming services for these devices can help you save a ton of money, or can add up quickly. If you aren’t careful, you might end up spending as much as you did for your cable service! There are soooo many apps to choose from, ranging from TV show apps to movie apps. The ones that we’ve stuck with are Netflix and Hulu. Hulu is great to have if you enjoy watching popular shows on basic cable channels. If you can avoid spoilers from friends and family, you can see most new shows the day after they air. Netflix is awesome for watching a season or series at a time, and even some new Netflix exclusive shows. One of my favorite things about Netflix is the “Kids” setting. I know that as Baby Girl gets older, I can stress less while she’s watching her shows because no inappropriate or scary commercials/shows will come on. This momma greatly appreciates that feature!

If you stick with just these two streaming services, you still save a lot by getting rid of cable. If you want to save even more, upgrade to an account that allows more TVs to stream and split the cost with a friend or family member. Currently we only pay for Netflix every other month because we share an account with my brother. Talk about a major money saver!

I hope that you find this information helpful for you and your family! If you have any questions or want to share your favorite apps/shows, I’d love to hear from you!

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