Wealth

Save Money on Cable and Internet Bills

Cable and internet are two expenses of modern life that most people would rather not do without. They are expensive.

Did you know there are ways to lower your cable and internet bills? You might even be able to cut the cable all together with some of these options.

Internet Bills

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Ways to Decrease Your Cable Bill

If you want to cut back on cable, here are a few tips to decrease your bill.

  • Cut back on premium channels. You can add it back on when your must-see show airs
  • Do you really need a cable box in every room? Cut back on the number of boxes!
  • Read your bill. If you don’t use HD, don’t pay for it
  • DVRs cost money. Try watching shows on-demand instead of recording them.
  • See if you can drop some of those channels you never watch
  • Look into bundling cable and internet
  • Ask for a lower rate. You may not get one, but you definitely won’t if you don’t ask
  • Compare providers
  • Try an antenna and subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, SlingTV and DirectTV

Ways to Decrease Your Internet Bill

Cutting back on your internet is a possibility. Check out these ways to lower your internet bill.

  • Buy your modem and router if you plan to stay with your provider for a few years
  • Only pay for the speed you need
    • Basic email, web browsing, music and SD video streaming
      • 1-3 devices – 10.5 Mbps
      • 4-7 devices – 24.5 Mbps
    • Standard email, web browsing, music and SD video streaming
      • 1-3 devices – 18 Mbps
      • 4-7 devices – 42 Mbps
    • Enhanced email, web browsing, music and SD video streaming
      • 1-3 devices – 30 Mbps
      • 4-7 devices – 70 Mbps
    • Gaming Email, web browsing, music and HD video streaming, online gaming
      • 1-3 devices – 30 Mbps
      • 4-7 devices – 70 Mbps
  • Ask for a lower rate. You may not get one, but you definitely won’t if you don’t ask
  • Look into bundling cable and internet
  • If you are at/below 135% of federal poverty guidelines or are enrolled in Social Security Income, Medicaid or other governmental programs, you may qualify for a subsidy
  • Try a limited-data mobile hot spot plan. You can email or lightly use social media

Bundling

We’ve mentioned bundling cable and internet as a money saving possibility. A quick internet search reveals that every cable and internet provider will bundle plans, and many include a phone option. If you use all the services, it might be worth it to look into bundles. Just be aware that there are great deals starting out that become burdensome as the deal expires.

Alternatives to Cable

Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, SlingTV and DirectTV let you cut the cable without losing the ability to watch shows. YouTube TV offers more than 60 broadcast or cable networks, plus regional sports networks for $40/month. Since people usually only watch 20 of their 200 cable channels, you probably will have the channels you watch. All you need for these channels is a high-speed internet connection.

Final Word

There are a number of ways to cut your cable or internet bill. Understand what you are paying for and what services you can cut. Your first step is to start with an internet search, so start one today and be saving money tomorrow!

Sources:
1. nerdwallet.com, 9 Ways to Lower Your Cable Bill
2. nerdwallet.com, 6 Ways to Find Cheap Internet and Lower Your Bill
3. cabletv.com, Should You Bundle Cable, Internet, and Phone?
4. clark.com, 4 things to know before you sign up for YouTube TV

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