We Cut the Cord and Will Never Look Back

It’s hard to make sense of all the television options out there! As a mom who works in the television industry, even I feel overwhelmed by the changing landscape!

The one thing we can agree on is that traditional cable television is getting more expensive! I’m often asked about how my family cut the cord. Canceling your cable subscription can be a scary move (“…but my child needs his Daniel Tiger!”) Don’t worry, I’ll break it down for you!

Two years ago, when I first considered cutting the cord, our options were still limited. A lot has changed!

Cable Alternatives

Today, you can easily replace Cable with an alternative such as Sling TV, YouTube TV or Hulu +Live TV. Each of these services has pros and cons, so make sure to do your research. We use YouTube TV because of the free unlimited DVR and channel lineup that best suits our needs. For instance, the one Family Network missing on YouTube is Nickelodeon, but luckily my kids have outgrown Paw Patrol! Disney, however, is a necessity!

You can watch 70+ channels live on YouTube TV and scroll the guide to pick your program just like cable. This includes all the major broadcast networks like CBS, NBC, FOX & ABC. You no longer need an antenna to get the broadcast nets, woohoo!

You can even use your login to watch TV from any computer or mobile device.

What About Sports?!?

The biggest concern I hear from friends wanting to ditch cable is missing out on live sports. I’m happy to say that many cable alternatives like YouTube TV do carry the broadcast channels as well as regional sports networks. We watch Sunday football on FOX & CBS, the same as before. We watch local baseball on YES & SNY; however, we are missing MSG Network for Rangers Hockey. We are only casual hockey fans, so missing a few games is a small price to pay for extra cash in our pockets. New channels are added all the time, so research the channel lineup and weigh what’s important to you!

High-Speed Internet & Streaming Device

Once you’ve selected your cable alternative, make sure that your internet connection is fast and affordable. Haggle with your internet provider to get the highest speed internet at the lowest price. There is nothing worse than trying to watch a show that’s freezing or buffering!

You can stream directly through your smart TV or through a plug-in device such as a Roku Stick, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV.

Show Me the Money

We continue to pay for additional services like Netflix & Hulu because we enjoy their content, but cutting out some of these services could save even more! Below is a snapshot of our monthly savings. This is specific to our family, but you get the idea!

Don’t Be Afraid

Go ahead and try it out! What’s the worst that can happen. You go back to Cable? You’d probably be able to negotiate a better deal with your Cable provider by leaving then returning anyway! There’s nothing to lose! Happy streaming!