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
*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.
Check out how to keep your TV console area organized here.
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!
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.
If you are struggling with how to keep your TV area looking and organized check out these tricks.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The black box above you hooks up to the cable cord directly to your TV.
The other end of the cable gets the antenna.
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
- 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
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!
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.
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:
13 Simple Tips for Eating Healthy on a Super Tight Budget
We pay about $250 / month with Comcast . I am currently looking in to dropping cable/phone service and keep Internet for $50/month. Starting the year on saving mode since my husband is out of work for now… Hopefully we can figure it out.
We pay about $150 for cable and high speed internet – and only have one provider to service our area. It stinks. I’d prefer Fios over Xfinity
We pay way to much and would love to cut cable, hubby is what has been stopping me but I think I might have him on board to do it now . Just got to prove to him it will be worth it. lol 🙂
We cut the cable a while ago due trying to decrease costs. We have a $4 antenna that we bought at a yard sale.
We get 1 local channel for the news
We also get jobs.
It would be nice to get other channels.
We are seniors on a fixed income
HI Linda, oh my yes you need a better antenna for sure.
We do not have cable. We have crummy internet service and pay for Amazon Prime and Netflix (wish I could have done the .99 Hulu deal!). This would be awesome to help us save some $.
We have satellite and I pay over $200 a month which I am seriously thinking of getting rid of but I’m so addicted to my shows that I’m terrified to cut the cord.
I especially love the music channels so I can listen to classical and especially Christmas music but I know that can be remedied with CDs Etc.
I am having promptings about it not being good stewardship to spend that much money on television that takes my time away from other things I could be doing
How much do you currently pay for your cable? I pay -0- for cable per se. I stream just about everything through a list of five totally free apps (Youtube, Pluto TV, Tubi Tv, Xumo and Crackle). I am thinking about the $16/mo Philo TV service which includes DVR. Our local reception is horrible so this antenna would be awesome for the local channels. Our internet only is $55 for 100 mbps (WOW is a midwest area provider) and we use an Ooma for home phone ($4 for taxes/monthly) which reduces our need for cell plans. Can’t complain.
What hesitations do you have about dropping cable altogether? There were none at all… $180+ down to $60 and not going without anything (actually getting more) was a no-brainer. Much like the cable/internet providers play games, so can savvy shoppers! Did you know by killing the boxes with DVR you will save $5-8 a month on your electric bill because it’s not running 24/7? We did decide to get a laptop with HDMI so whatever is on the laptop is displayed at 55″ high def. We don’t want or need Netflix or Hulu… our library has a sweet digital collection online and on DVD. There are alternatives like Philo ($16/mo) for x channels… AT&T Now, DirecTV Now, Sling, Hulu Live and YouTube Live may or may not be options for other members, each with various price ranges, some with local channels (Philo does not have local) and of course pros and cons, required devices and regions. For those under contracts, do the math… how much is your cancellation fee against $x times the remainder of your term (considering what new services, if any, you replace them with of course). I am not writing this to win the antenna.. I’m saving enough to buy my own but sure would be nice!!! Thanks for the contest and awesome discussion, hope I am helping others know that there are options… most of which offer free trials to know for sure before you cut.
Worried about sports or news? Don’t be!!! Several alternatives offer both, some pay (cheaper) and yet many free. Your cable / internet providers need you, not the other way around.
Yes! Thank you for sharing. It really is a great conversation I agree. Me personally we don’t pay for cable. We use the antenna, Hulu, Netflix and Prime. We have so many but our circumstances are different. Hulu and Prime are paid for with my bloggging. So really we pay out of our own money each month just for Netflix. We have the antenna I’m giving away. There are so many ways now to cut the cable and get more shows than you could possibly watch.
We have triple play through time warner, grandfathered tbrough. We pay 169.00 now, not cheap at all. We did sign up for the .99 cents a month hulu thanks to tasia and her brother telling us. Looking to get rid of cable real soon, just to expensive.
No cable here. Cut the cord years ago. I have a conversion box but need a antenna to watch. The antenna does not work well, Well I thought it did until I spoke to my sister in laws father in law who had a antenna close to this one. He told me all the stations he gets.
Yes, I was jealous..
I have internet only now. I cut the cord last month. I pay $52.00 for internet only (100 mbps). I was hesitant because I like having live tv to watch breaking news, the ball drop for new years, etc. I also wanted certain channels so once I add that to my internet only package, I would be back to the price of a new customer deal.
Our cable bill with just tv and internet had climbed into the upper $180’s with the transition between Time Warner and Spectrum. I negotiated a better rate, supposedly $89.98/mo but with other taxes, fees, equipment it was still in the $120’s. Then we turned in the cable tv boxes and got Roku’s to avoid the $7+/mo for each box. Now trying out antennas and looking to just go internet only and ask for your recommended “everyday low price” rate. Only hesitation of ditching cable is some of those channels we’ve gotten used to (HGTV, Food Network, Hallmark, etc). Some good streaming options, though don’t love the idea of giving them credit card info for billing. Pretty happy with local content and appreciate the opportunity to win this antenna you’ve been so pleased with. Thanks, Tasia and Tyler for your insight, thrifty inspiration, and generous giveaways!!
We currently pay $166 a month. I know. I know!! I have a mini stroke everytime the bill comes in. I have no reservations about cutting that cord. I am eager to do it. Hubs on the other hand is crying like a baby. He doesnt want to hear anything about it. Funny thing is we dont watch many channels. And most of the time we are watching stuff on the fire stick or netflix. AND….. I dont even get the channels I really want because that package is over $200 a month
Brittani, keep trying. If you aren’t even watching what you are paying for the answer is obvious 🙂
My family doesn’t have cable tv. We use an long-lived OTA outdoor antenna that gives spotty reception during shows when it’s windy.
We pay $58.00 for satellite. Can’t get internet where we are. I like to listen to game show network and RFD TV is what my husband likes for the tractor and train shows. I also enjoy History channel and A&E.
I have a different model to get over the air but only get 30 channels would love to get this one to get more channels.i was paying over $70 just for basic satellite dish an month when I dropped them.
We do not pay for cable. We have Netflix and hulu. We are able to use different apps to be able to watch certain things. Still sometimes my husband misses his sports depending on which provider is playing it. It would be awesome to try this !
I pay $237 a month to Spectrum 😳. Husband is a huge European soccer fan-need beIn Sports, Fox Soccer etc.. and I need Tennis Channel. This requires us to pay the highest tier they offer. I’ve looked into YouTube tv and Fubo and Hulu Live—none offer all those channels. I also split cost of Netflix and Hulu with daughter. Our neighborhood is like a “black hole” reception spotty at best. Neighbors with satellite and antennas have a tough go as well. For now I look to save money in other areas. Some day I hope to cut the cord -when those channels are available on one service
$241.41 per month for Verizon FIOS.
I was concerned about having internet to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.
Sometimes you can get a discount through the cable companies on wifi if your kid needs it homework and school related assignments. I shut my cable off about 6 years ago when I left my full time job to be hoenwith my son who is now 9 and I have a daughter who is about 18 mo. She LOVES cocomelon and baby bum on you tube and loves music too. When I first cut it off I was upset for my son because of Nick jr etc. We used you tube a lot for his shows and as he got older it was Netflix and you tube and the “good” channels at Vavoa’s lol which my bro gifted me a Roku one Christmas so they allow us to use their email for Xfinity to access some of the apps even when I could afford the cable bill i HATED forking all that money monthly and we weren’t home all day 5 days a week to boot!!! I love my morning news and law and order lol I had no issues with the transition. Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to buy a really good antenna tbough. The one we have only in our living room is the $10-15 one from Wally world and yes depending where I place it we may get 1-4 more channels, but we also live in a really wooded area too. I’d love an upgrade to this antenna and to be able to hook my son’s TV up to it too, if I read that right anyways lol it’d be so awesome to upgrade either way!!! I will admit when we visit my parents house if my son goes on the computer, because we don’t have one, I’ll use a tv and LOVE the voice command feature…but they also pay up the nose and my mom is ALWAYS finding errors on her bills, which when I had Cox Cable same thing, what a pain it was!!!
I pay about
I pay about $214 from Xfinity for internet cable and phone. I would like to make changes to lower the price. The phone is great for only $20 for unlimited long distance calls and my family is all over the country. I am pretty much home bound so the internet is important. My problem is cable. I am a news junky and also love all sports. I live in a senior home and I have free cable but it has no sport channels. Is there some way to get just those and get the rest from my building?
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