Keep More Income

This one is simple.  Cable or satellite TV services are expensive and will drain your wallet.

In my area, digital cable TV packages start around roughly $60/month.  This is for the “basic” package.  (Of course, there are always promotions, but they end up with jacked up prices after a couple months.)

Satellite TV is a little more reasonable, at around $40/month minimum.

Of course, many people get tempted into the “premium” channels and end up with $80 to $100/month TV bills.  Many of my friends with debt and smaller incomes — all mid-20-somethings — claim to be paying close to $120 or more a month in total TV and Internet expenses, with promotions included.

That is simply ridiculous.  Considering that the most-watched shows in America are provided on free network television, I can’t see how anyone can justify a minimum of roughly $720/year to have more channels.

The truth of the matter is, YOU don’t need cable or satellite TV.  But there are always shows you want to catch that are only available on paid TV services.  I know that there are a few shows on HBO that I hate to miss.  What do you do then?

Simple.  You have two choices.

1. Many TV shows can be treated as social events.  When I want to see the latest episode of Entourage, I call up one of my buddies and ask if I can run over to see it.  It turns into a group social event and is even more fun than it would have been watching it alone.  Trust me, unless you never talk to your friends, you won’t be seen as “using” anyone, and in fact everyone will be even more psyched to have you over.  Treat TV as social “hanging out” time.
2. Wait for the DVDs.  Paying $30 for a season of a TV show you like is a whole lot better than paying close to $1000/year to be able to watch it on a schedule.  Better yet, if you only need to watch the episodes once, just rent it.  Rent the DVD sets for six shows and you’ve saved tons of money.

Stayed tuned for more ways that cutting the cable bill will benefit you.