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cheapest alternative to cable tv hd tv antenna

How to Stop Paying a Crazy High Cable Bill

Home » How to Stop Paying a Crazy High Cable Bill

January 7, 2019 (Updated: September 22, 2024)

Cutting the cable is scary. Most people want to but don’t want to lose their favorite channel.

What if you took a good hard look at your monthly cable bill?
That is exactly what 30+ people did at the bottom of this post.

They all shared how much they were paying and their fears. The problem readers shared with us is they didn’t know how to cut back the cable bill. Many readers didn’t want to sacrifice losing sports.

Check out how we cut our cable with the cheapest alternative below.

It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done

– Nelson Mandela

How to Stop Paying a Crazy High Cable Bill

*Scroll down for the video.

Five+ years ago, we cut our cable. We did it because we got so crazy into our debt payoff that we didn’t want ANYTHING we didn’t see as a need. Life with two toddlers was quite busy, and any chance my husband and I had to watch TV, we were too tired.


We eliminated cable. We used an antenna to get our local channels. The news in the morning was all I had time for, and PBS for the kids was about all they watched.


When your kids aren’t in school, there is NO reason to pay for channels for them.

There may even be some shows your kids don’t get and haven’t heard of it, and it won’t break them.

how to cut the cable bill

An HD ANTENNA IS THE WAY TO GO


If you want to cut the cable the cheapest way possible, this is it.

If you found a crazy good deal on a TV during Black Friday sales, then you’ll probably get a bunch of free channels loaded onto the smart TV.


Buy an HD Antenna.

The one I’ve had for four years now with no issues is from Antennas Direct.

Check out all these FREE Streaming Service trials to score with your free cable!

cutting the cable bill to pay off debt

THIS IS THE CHEAPEST ALTERNATIVE TO CABLE

National data reported earlier this year projected – “the number of those cutting the cord will climb 32.8% this year to 33 million, higher than the 22% growth rate (27.1 million) that was originally projected in July of 2017.

This number represents the cumulative number of adults who have ever canceled a pay-TV service and have opted to continue without it.

( Source: Forbes and eMarketer)

Suppose you are one of the statistics of cable cutters. You need to check out ClearStream Antennas Direct. I found this brand in my favorite wholesale club-no, geez, not Costco, BJ’s Wholesale club!

 Check out this post for an up-to-date look at the best antennas for 2022.

HOW AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR ANTENNA WORKS

Going the antenna route is the cheapest when you are thinking about cutting back your cable bill. You will pay a one-time fee, and that’s it.

I bought ours at BJs for $39.99. I’ve had this exact brand for four years now.

The best part about buying an HDTV antenna is you don’t need internet access. We talked about internet speed a little bit in our video(the video is at the bottom of the post), but I’ll share it again with you here.

Join me on Tiktok, where I share more debt-free living tips.

How to Stop Paying a Crazy High Cable Bill

NO INTERNET NEEDED

I currently pay a very LOW price for the lowest speed internet. $26 is our total monthly bill. Yes, the INTERNET bill!

I can work on the computer blogging while the kids watch Netflix, and my husband is on his phone, and we have no issues. 

Once I got a better wireless router, we stopped constantly seeing the red circle on Netflix.

The only time we run into an issue is when I upload a video, which takes a little longer. So for me, I look at the cost of the internet plan to the one or two videos I’m uploading a month as a win. 

It reminds me of when I was a teenager, and my dad would download all his songs and movies overnight because of the internet speed, except ours still isn’t that bad!

how to cut the cable bill

YOU CAN GET FREE CHANNELS WITHOUT AN ANTENNA

If you have your mind made up and don’t want to get a TV antenna, almost all smart TVs give you the option of hundreds of channels for free. We need to decide as consumers: Can we deal with what is available to us at no cost?

There is plenty of music video channels, history, Heartland channel, News, and more. I encourage you to give the channels a chance before quickly scrolling through them. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Here’s a Tiktok Video I did on this exact way to cut your cable.

@thefrugalfarmgirl

who needs Hulu or Netflix anymore?! 😜 #freetvchannels #freechannels #dontpayforcable #cutcable #frugallivinghack #frugallivingmomma #savingmoneytip

♬ White Lies (EP Version) – Max Frost

HOW TO INSTALL AN ANTENNA

It’s super easy to install.

You can place the antenna inside or outside. And you can hook multiple TVs up to one.

how to cut your cable bill

The black box above you hooks up to the cable cord directly to your TV.

The other end of the cable gets the antenna.

how to cut your cable bill

We have our kitchen TV over by this window because it gets the most channels. You can flip it to the white side or black side. These antennas can also be painted to match your wall color.

Always move your antenna around to find the best spot to receive channels. Then, you can use the sticker it comes with to apply to a wall, etc.

When shopping for HDTV antennas, you want to look at the mile range. Think about your location. We lived out in the country and went for the 35-mile range indoor antenna.

I ended up buying two antennas before my husband told me we could have hooked both cable cords up to one. Our living room TV antenna we have out the basement window.

Details on the Antenna Direct ( We own this one)

  • Best performance among flat HD antennas in the 35-mile range category
  • Sure Grip guarantees the easiest installation of any indoor antenna
  • Grips to any smooth surface such as walls and windows
  • Perfect for dorm rooms, RVs and over-the-road vehicles
  • Multi-directional element delivers range and reception in less than ideal locations with no aiming necessary
  • Black or white double-sided design
  • Paintable, so you can match your wall, furniture or accent color for a custom fit
  • Connect one end of a coaxial cable to the antenna and the other end to your TV
  • Scan for the available channels using your TV remote control
  • Watch all your favorite over-the-air TV shows, news, kids programs, sports and more on network and local television in full HD
  • Watch TV stations like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and more with each network providing digital sub-channels for maximum content
  • To find the broadcast towers serving your area, go to antennapoint.com and enter your zip code
  • Includes antenna, 12′ of high-performance coaxial cable, Sure Grip strip, assembly and installation instructions
  • Warranty: lifetime limited on parts
Antennas Direct ClearStream 4 Outdoor UHF HDTV Antenna
 
Here are the specs on this one 
  • Advanced 4-tapered loop design allows up to 98% of the available broadcast signals to each the incoming antenna cable for free over-the-air digital and HD programming
  • Receive short-range high UHF reception up to 65 miles away with no monthly cable or satellite fees
  • Lets you enjoy free local broadcasts, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and other local networks with their newly expanded programming for kids, news, sports and more
  • Crystal clear UHF HDTV short-range signals keep you in the know in the event of an emergency or bad weather
  • Sleek and compact design blends in with most home decorsMade of extra-durable, corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum for long-lasting use
  • Includes antenna (coaxial cable and mount not included)
  • Warranty: lifetime
How to Stop Paying a Crazy High Cable Bill

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP WHEN HOOKING UP YOUR TV ANTENNA

If you buy the indoor one, hook it up and place it in a spot and you only get three channels, you need to move the antenna. It may seem silly, but even moving it a few inches makes a big difference.

In our kitchen, this happened, and I remember my dad telling me to move it.

Then one day, I had enough of not getting all the basic channels and moved it to the top of the window instead of the bottom; low and behold, we got over 40 tracks.

I get all the basic networks, and we got many highly entertaining Canadian channels!

How to Stop Paying a Crazy High Cable Bill

THE BREAKDOWN OF THE COST

Even if you have to pay $40 for a year, you will pay $3.33 a month- That is cheaper than the Netflix price of $7.99 per month, and that $7.99 price only lets you stream one device at a time.

The beautiful thing about the antenna is you aren’t paying $3.33 a month because your $40 payment is FOREVER! As long as this thing lasts, and I’m guessing it will last a very long time.

Look at it as $40 out of the budget, and that’s that. No monthly payment. You’re all set.

This is the cheapest alternative to cable.

Today Jan. 7th, Through Jan 13th, you have a chance to win one.

hdtv antenna eclispe

How much do you currently pay for your cable?

What hesitations do you have about dropping cable altogether?

HERE IS OUR VIDEO CHATTING ABOUT CABLE CUTTING OPTIONS:

cheapest alternative to cable tv hd tv antenna
Category: Live Debt Free, Frugal Living, Giveaway
Previous Post:how to eat healthier on a budget13 Simple Tips for Eating Healthy on a Super Tight Budget
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About Tasia

Welcome! I have desired my own backyard farm since I was a girl. I started a frugal crazy couponing lifestyle that allowed us to pay off our debt, create an online business and purchase our farmhouse and land. Join me as I share everything we are learning with you to encourage and inspire your dreams.

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Comments

  1. David

    August 23, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    Yes I give $28 way antenna I guess that’s fine outside and I get over 60 to 70 channels I would like 200 miles away and they’re very clear and it’s high definition antenna

    Reply
  2. Eloise Rowe

    January 7, 2020 at 6:11 am

    I currently have a Spectrum bundle package. It’s $160.94 a month before taxes & fees, and for the cable alone it’s $85.96. I originally needed to have internet because of being in school and having a class or two online. Well, naturally, you call with the mindset of ordering nothing but the internet and low and behold, you’re on the phone with “super upsell seller of the freakin’ year,” and guess who ends up ordering the whole bundle? Lol, muah! Anyways, I also have a couple antennas from before cable but I could never seem to get many channels no matter where I placed the antenna. It just got too frustrating so I caved 🙄! My biggest hesitation to drop cable altogether is losing the DVR and not be able to record my shows anymore. Also, just losing my favorite channels, and rewinding and fast forwarding. I would love to win an antenna and cut my cable line completely out of my life😁! I’ve gotten spoiled rotten on the cable and DVR thing and simply have to snap out of it so I can save myself so much money every month! Thank You😁

    Reply
  3. Judith

    October 20, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    I have a Roku and get 100 channels from movies to TV shows. I do pay for internet service and have Hulu + Disney + (ESPN) that I do not watch for 13 a month. It is way cheaper than the 185 I was paying for Dish network.

    Reply
  4. Cynthia Milne

    January 1, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    I am always looking for ways to save money. Would like to eventually get rid of our direct tv.

    Reply
  5. Kevin Harris

    February 6, 2021 at 2:04 pm

    I would like to get rid of my direct TV but I’m worried I’m to far away from the big city.

    Reply
    • Tasia

      February 12, 2021 at 9:54 am

      how many miles out are you?

      Reply
  6. KP

    July 17, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    I have tried two HD antennas. I have an HD tv. I can only get PBS channels, A bunch of old crime tv channels, a bunch of paid advertising channels, a country music channel, Dabl, the dog channel, pranks channel, funny video channel, retro tv shows and the news. I only watch little news and PBS out of all of these. When I had Cable I had Spectrum. They are still charging me for the equipment I returned to them. I went to their branch store here to return and brought back my reciebt only to be told they could not figure out why I was being charged. I have called and had to speak with an offshore call center where it was as though the customer service rep was reading from a teleprompter. I never want cable again. There were few channels I liked on it anyway. So many channels were advertisement. Garbage. There has to be something better.

    Reply
  7. Vanessa Coffman

    January 5, 2022 at 11:25 am

    I pay over or about $150 for cable and I wouldn’t know about getting rid of it because of the ESPN channels as well.

    Reply
  8. Marie Vazquez

    January 7, 2023 at 11:44 am

    Im a senior on a fixed income this antena would be so beneficial for me I’m going to give it a try th as Nike for the info much appreciated Marie V

    Reply
  9. Robert

    August 8, 2023 at 7:53 am

    $125
    I LIVE FAR IN THE COUNTRY AND HAVE TRIED AN ANTENNA ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO WITH OUT SUCCESS

    Reply
  10. Larry Hofmann

    November 22, 2023 at 1:08 am

    II bought a roku t.v. over a year ago. It gives me all the free channels I could possibly want in my life. It does require internet to get everything. I do have an antenna for local channels.

    Reply
    • Tasia

      November 24, 2023 at 8:46 am

      Yes there are so many free channels on there.

      Reply
  11. Bob

    December 13, 2023 at 9:23 pm

    I pay 0$ for tv and I get about 120 channels. I have a smart tv so I also get all the channels on it, but I pay 130$ a month for internet. If you know what to do tv can be free

    Reply
    • Tasia

      December 14, 2023 at 9:03 am

      Very true! Now we just need to get the internet bill lower.

      Reply
    • Terry

      March 20, 2025 at 10:20 am

      I took a higher route and I did away with cable and I watch streamed movies but the reason I am writing you is to say that I got G Fiber for my internet and it cost me $70.00 a month but I stream all of my movies through that

      Reply
  12. Gilbert Gross

    January 4, 2024 at 11:43 pm

    I’ve cut my cable now I need to get a HD antenna Would be real nice to win one

    Reply
  13. Fred

    June 6, 2024 at 2:28 pm

    Being retired it’s so hard to afford

    Reply
  14. Terry Massey

    September 21, 2024 at 9:16 am

    I bought a smart TV . My other TV was really old so I decided to buy a new one. It had many free channels on it for free movies. I purchased Disney Plus with Hulu and also have Philo whith alone has like 70 channels. All together I am paying $35 a month.

    Reply
  15. Brian Drulard

    April 10, 2025 at 8:34 am

    STOP PAYING for what is free! Antenna packages are available, (antenna, booster, & cable) in one. 1990 got tired of paying cable, went to antenna package dealer was selling in locale paper, paid $100. for it, since then til 2 years ago had to replace. More than paid for its self. So glad every time I see cable rates going up or signal problems with cable. Keep your money inn your pocket.

    Reply
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