Have you looked at your cable or satellite bill recently? You probably noticed that it goes up little by little, and the changes are typically very subtle. If you are like most, you just pay the bill (or auto-pay) and never think twice about it. With cable bills continuing to rise and shows/stations more accessible than ever, here are some simple ways you can lower your bill and help free up extra money every month:
1. Evaluate your usage
Take a look at what you and your family actually watch on TV. This may take a day or a week to monitor. Figure out if you are watching live TV or archived shows. Many times, you are probably using other platforms to watch shows like Netflix or Hulu.
Once you determine exactly what your usage is and how you are actually watching TV, you can start to figure out which channels or levels of service you need. Streaming TV is becoming more and more popular, making live TV almost obsolete. Many people prefer binge-watching a show, rather than waiting for a new episode to be released every week.
Evaluating your usage is an important step in order for you to understand your dependance on your cable or satellite company. You may even realize right away that you do not use your TV much at all and can eliminate your cable bill altogether.
2. Cut the extras
Are you currently paying for HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz or other premium channels? Chances are you watch some movies on occasion, but nothing to justify the amount you are paying. Typically, these premium channels cost around $10-20 extra per month per channel, depending on your provider. If you currently have all the premium channels available, you could be spending an extra $75+ a month.
Many times, your cable or satellite provider will entice you by offering some of these premium channels for free when you first sign-up as a customer. Eventually, this promotion runs out and you are then billed for the extra cost. Many people believe that this is just part of your everyday bill and continue to pay it, but in reality, this is an extra cost that can be avoided.
Consider renting a movie from Redbox if you want to watch a movie. Many times Redbox is able to offer the same movies that premium networks are showing. This option will cost far less than you keeping your premium channels.
3. Downgrade your service
Do you really need 500+ channels of TV? According to report done by Nielsen, the average adult in the United States watches around 20 channels per month. In reality, you are paying for hundreds of channels that you do not even use.
If you take a look at your provider’s packages, you can figure out which channels you watch and at what package level they are offered. You probably will find that most of the channels you watch are available in a lower package. If you watch a channel that is not available in a lower package, you have to ask yourself if it is worth it to keep your upgraded package just for that one channel or show. Maybe you can find the show online or stream it for a small fee.
4. Bundle
One of the easiest ways to save money is to consider bundling your phone, internet and cable together using one company. Many people have decided to not have a landline, but they still can bundle internet and cable. Many companies offer large discounts to those who decide to bundle their services. Remember that when you bundle, you do not need to get the most premium packages.
5. Eliminate excess TVs
Do you really need a cable or satellite box in every room? Another way to save on your monthly bill is to get rid of any excess cable or satellite boxes you do not use. Did you know that nowadays many cable providers offer their customers ways to stream content on their phones or tablets? Consider eliminating all but one or two boxes in your household and you could save anywhere from $5-10 a month per box that you get rid of.
6. Get rid of the DVR
If you are worried that you are going to miss the latest episode of your favorite show, you probably will record it to your DVR. This option typically costs you an extra $10-25 a month, depending on your provider. Did you know if you miss a show, you can probably watch it the next day on-demand or through your provider’s app? Yes, it can be convenient to have recordings in one place, but your savings can add up if you go without this service.
7. Research the competition
If you live in an area with multiple cable service providers, check out what the other cable services can offer you as a new customer. Chances are they can offer you pretty lucrative savings if you switch over to them. Be careful if you are currently in a contract with your own provider because there could be hefty fees if you cancel. On the other hand, the cancellation fees maybe worth it if you are saving a lot with the new company.
8. Negotiate a lower rate
Probably the last thing on your to-do list is wanting to call your cable service provider to speak with a representative. There are hundreds of other things you would rather be doing. Before you make your call, you need to be prepared. Get a copy of your latest bill to see exactly what services you currently have. Then, compare your services to other competitors in the area and see what they are offering their customers. Once you are ready, make the call to your provider. Here are some additional tips when you talk with a representative:
- Be kind. This is one of the best things you can do. Remember, someone is more likely to help a person who is kind to them than someone who is rude. Sure, you may be frustrated with having to pay for a higher bill, but do not allow your frustrations to boil over on the phone.
- Build a rapport. Your representative will try to empathize with your situation. Try to connect with them on this same level of understanding. You are speaking with another human being who may have gone through the same struggles you have or at the very minimum, who likes to save money as much as you do.
- Ask for any discount. The representative on the other end of the phone is not going to be able to read your mind. You are going to have to express exactly what you want. Even if they cannot give you the biggest discount, they maybe able to give you some kind of discount or waive certain fees. Even if you get $15 off your bill a month, that is still $180 in savings per year.
- Transfer to retention. If you are not having any luck, you can consider trying to cut off your service and talking to a retention representative. They typically have a little more to offer than your typical representative. However, depending on the company, sometimes you can have better luck with an initial representative. It just depends on the day and the person you speak with.
- Be prepared to try again. If all else fails and you are not seeing any fruits of your labor, consider trying to call back again another day with a different representative. I know it can feel like you wasted a lot of time, but you got an idea of how they operate on the other end of the line and you can be more prepared the next time you talk with them.
9. Consider Alternatives
You may already be using several alternatives to cable. They can include services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Fubo TV and others. Today, content is often exclusive to one of these unique services so you have to subscribe to see it. These services can be great alternatives to having cable because of the vast amount of shows and movies they provide and the fact that the cost is much lower.
10. Cut the cord
You may find that after reviewing your current cable or satellite usage, it makes more financial sense to just cut the cord. At first, this can feel like a painful decision, but in the long run, you will save yourself tremendous amounts of money.
With so many alternatives to cable TV nowadays, you probably will not even miss having cable. With all the money you are saving, you can find ways to entertain yourself and your family in ways other than TV.
Summary
Cable and satellite prices continue to rise. Finding ways to reduce and sometimes eliminate your bill altogether will save you thousands upon thousands of dollars in the long run, which you can use for other priorities. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what is best for you and your family. I would love to hear about your experiences or other ways that you have cut or eliminated your cable bills.