Comments on: Cable Con

By: Tali

Tali — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:02:22 +0000

I let go of my cable two years ago, but this weekend, I became a subscriber again.
My life was fine those two years without it. I went out more, and lived life. But lately, I found that when I was at home, or nothing was happening that I particularly wanted to do, I was bored out of my mind.
Tried reading. Tried journaling. Tried catching up with friends. But there’s only so much of that you can do.
I got standard cable, so I think my bill should be about $40 a month. I just hooked the cable up yesterday and it was such a joy to see channels with no snow! I’ll probably only watch a few channels, but I still think it’ll be worth it.
And if I find out otherwise, I can always stop. Honest, I can.

By: Lou

Lou — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:00:27 +0000

We live in the middle of nowhere, so life on the dish is a necessity if you want any info or entertainment. The nearest move theater is in a town 15 miles away, so with fuel prices so high, the dish is hardly a luxury. Also with hurricane season I appreciate having the info on weather channel. You can’t live in Florida and not say a thank you for The Weather Channel. (Disclaimer: I was an editor at a subsidiary of Landmark Communications which owns The Weather Channel.)

By: Leslie Marqua

Leslie Marqua — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:00:43 +0000

Have you had a serious talk with your accountant about what is deductible for you – a journalist – as non-reimbursed business expenses and other Schedule C possible deductions? If you haven’t had this chat, you should. It’s possible that at least a portion of your cable bill (and other things, too!) is tax-deductible!

By: GLM

GLM — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:30:45 +0000

I just have internet (work reimbursed) and basic cable, so no CNN, SciFi, or the like (I LOVE Battlestar Galactica).
I’m trying to wean myself off of my TV – cable is very expensive, when you think about all the time that you don’t have the TV on!
That being said, you are getting a decent bundle, when you figure what that would cost separately. I’d say that you still get the frugal street cred for that one!

By: Coco

Coco — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:04:25 +0000

Cable free since 2000! I rarely miss it. And yes, it’s true some folk look at you funny or plan visits around their TV time.
I’m thinking about getting cable because of an upcoming salary increase and the 2009 digital conversion, but I don’t really look forward to it.
The worst thing about cable (or TV in general) is the time spent parked in front of the set watching nothing in particular. If they could make all channels pay-per-view or have a pre-paid cable card…I’d be the 1st to sign up

By: Moneymonk

Moneymonk — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:08:33 +0000

Yes, I have cable and I love it
I love watching CNBC, FOX business news, HGTV and other lifestyle channels, I pay about $80 a month because of HD and premium channels, I don’t sweat the price because I’m forever focus on earning more than my lifestyle.

By: Product Junkie Diva

Product Junkie Diva — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:19:31 +0000

I do have cable, and I don’t watch all of the channels, but I like knowing that cable is there just in case I need in one evening. But remember with the big conversion going on, a person will either need that converter box or cable anyway so you will be paying for something one way or the other. ( I do think the converter is a one time only payment though) Maybe you could just get very basic cable. Also consider the fact that your phone bill is tied in there also. It looks like you are doing well. I won’t be giving up cable any time soon.

By: The Frugalista Files

The Frugalista Files — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:48:05 +0000

Savvy, I know I’m dramatic, but people think you are strange if you don’t have cable. You’re too analog for them. Folks want to come over and watch Flavor of Love, not muse over a sitcom. And I should have added that I have a small screen TV. That may have something to do with it, too.

By: savvy

savvy — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:43:28 +0000

No one wants to visit if you don’t have cable??? I think that’s a stretch. Unless it’s the SuperBowl or similar, people don’t come over to watch TV.
We pay a jillion dollars for DirecTV but that’s because we have a bunch of premium packages. We like the HBO and Showtime series and hubby insists on the NFL Sunday Ticket.
While prices can be high, I don’t think it’s a rip-off because cable isn’t a necessity and we willingly pay the price.