2023 marks ten years since I canceled cable TV and became a cord cutter. During that time, I have saved a lot of money and learned a lot about cord cutting.
Cord cutting is a bit like buying a new car. It works like your old car, but everything is slightly different. The radio offers all the same channels, but it controls them differently. Cord cutting is a lot like that you can get the same content and more, but everything is a little different from what you had with cable. The good news is in just a few short weeks, you will learn how the new remote works and where to find your favorite TV shows.
Today I want to break down five cord cutting tips to help cord cutters get the most from cord cutting. Hopefully, to help you to get even more from your cord cutting experience.
#1 Don’t Rush into It
The number one mistake people make when they cut the cord is rushing. When you rush into cord cutting, you add a lot of unneeded stress to the process.
Taking cord cutting slowly can help you avoid overpaying for services and devices. It can also help you avoid stress. So, long before you call to cancel your cable TV, make sure to set up everything—from your antenna to streaming players. Test out different streaming services before canceling pay TV.
This way, when you cancel your pay-TV provider, you are not rushing out to buy any antenna you can find in hopes of watching your favorite show tonight. A little preparation will ensure that when you cancel cable TV, you are set for your life as a cord cutter.
To help get the research started, check out our Cord Cutting Beginners Guide HERE.
#2 Only Subscribe When You Need That Service
Don’t worry about contracts. Unlike cable TV, there are no year-long contracts. You can add or drop subscriptions whenever you want. If you only want a live TV service for sports, only pay for it when your sport is on. Only want Paramount+ when the new Start Trek is on? Only subscribe when the new show you want comes out.
By only subscribing to services when you use them, you can easily save $100s every year. Don’t be afraid to get a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV only during football season, for example.
#3 Don’t Get Tricked into Overpaying for Internet
Often when you downgrade to the Internet only one of two things will happen. They will do their best to convince you to upgrade your Internet speed to a crazy high level or they will try to get you to bundle. Overpaying for the internet is one of the biggest mistakes cord cutters can make.
For a good streaming experience, you really only need 100 Mbps down. (But faster is nice.) So, don’t be tricked into the idea that you need a faster speed to stream your content.
Remember, you can always upgrade to a faster Internet speed at a later date. Though if you find yourself overpaying, it can be hard to get your internet service provider to downgrade your speed to a cheaper new customer package.
Here are some tips for finding the right Internet speed for you.
#4 Shop Around for Internet
STOP! Don’t assume you don’t have any options for internet in 2023. Things are very different now. Look around you may be surprised.
Sadly, your cable company could care less that you have been with them for ten years. They won’t give you the best deal out there. If you want a good deal, you need to shop for different service providers. I know many people think of DSL as slow, but for others, DSL speeds will be the same or close to that of cable TV. Every few years I switch back and forth to make sure I get the best deal. They are always willing to welcome you back and will give you a deal you could never get if you stayed with them.
Now don’t just assume you don’t have options. Recently T-Mobile, Verizon, and more have launched wireless internet options for cord cutters. We have tested these services, and they work well for cord cutting in many areas.
Don’t just assume you don’t have options in 2023. Use your local Facebook Group and Nextdoor apps to ask them about options in your area.
#5 This Is Not Your Grandpa’s Antenna TV
You may remember your grandparents had an antenna back in the day and may have had three or four stations. Over-the-air TV has come a long way since then.
Now, on average, cord cutters get 30 channels, including ABC, CW, CBS, FOX, and NBC, 100% free! Wondering what you could get for free over the air? Check AntennaWeb to find out what you should pick up with an indoor or an outdoor antenna.
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