• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

The 9 Best Ways to Lower Your Cable Bill

By Mikey Rox

remote control cable tvHaving trouble “cutting the cord”? If so, you can ease the cost of cable with these savvy ways to shave money off your bill while still enjoying your favorite shows:

Optimize Your Internet Speed

If you enjoy cable the old-school way — by watching standard television from your flat-screen or box set — you may be paying for more oomph than you need.

“The cable company will often try to get you to choose the highest Internet speeds possible,” says cable-cutting advocate Chris Brantner. “However, if you aren’t streaming much then you can probably handle lower speeds.”

Call your provider to see where you’re at in terms of speed, inquire about lower speed rates and how it will affect your TV-watching experience, and modify your service accordingly.

Compare Rates

Call around and compare prices, then call your cable company and threaten to leave if they don’t lower your price. Before you start making demands, however, go into the conversation informed and ready to haggle.

“Calling up your cable provider and requesting a better rate is a popular piece of advice,” admits Kendal Perez, savings expert at CouponSherpa.com. “However, it’s better to be prepared with competitor pricing than to assume the representative will simply offer you whatever promotion their hawking at new customers. Cable reps can be sticklers about only extending deals to new customers — until you point out a better deal from a competitor.”

Ditch the Premium Channels

If you’re a fan of premium channels like HBO, consider a subscription to its mobile app — HBO Now, for instance — over the standard broadband option. You can save money by getting a bundle package from your cable provider, which includes HBO — and other channels you probably won’t watch — but you can save even more by just getting HBO Now, which is available at more providers for just $15 per month. You’ll still need Internet service for both of these options, but since there’s no contract with the apps, you won’t be charged installation or termination fees.

Download Single Episodes

If you only enjoy one show on a premium channel, you’ll save a lot of money by forgoing the subscription or app by downloading single episodes from various online services.

Leverage Network Websites

If the shows you enjoy aren’t aired on premium-channels, but rather networks like AMC or TBS, you can watch certain episodes on the Internet. Just visit the networks’ respective websites to find a selection of current- and past-episodes from your favorite shows. New-release episodes sometimes don’t post for a week, so that’s a trade-off, but if you can handle the wait, it’s a great low-cost option that’s included in the price of your WiFi. And if you’re in a coffee shop, library, or other public place you may not have to pay for the WiFi at all.

Share a Streaming Account

I’ve shared a Netflix streaming account with a friend for years. It’s half the price for both of us, and we can access it on all of our devices. I’ve also done this with an HBO Now account, Hulu, and other streaming services.

Track Promotional Periods

“When you receive a promotional rate to reduce your monthly cable bill, keep track of the start date and duration,” Perez suggests. “Cable companies hope you’ll forget this information and pay an increased rate when the promotion ends. By staying organized, you can negotiate a new rate before the price hike takes place.”

Just Say No

We’re all suckers for a good deal, but your goal is to reduce your overall cost for cable — not increase it by taking unnecessary promotions that are too good to pass up.

“When you request a better deal from your cable provider, their first response will likely be a slightly costlier package that includes faster Internet and more channels,” Perez explains. “You may be tempted to take them up on this better value, but ultimately it’s an upsell designed to distract you from the true purpose of your call.”

Cut the Cord

Maybe it’s time to drop standard cable altogether.

“With so many streaming options available, cutting your cable is less painful than it used to be,” says Perez. “Services like Sling TV typically start in the neighborhood of $20 per month and include ESPN and ESPN2, which is important since missing sports is an oft-cited reason for keeping a pricey cable bill. I subscribe to Netflix for about $15 per month and watch more TV than I think is healthy.”

Photo Credit: m01229

January 7, 2020

The Question of the Week:

Did you buy any fireworks to celebrate Independence Day this year?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • How to Retire Five Years Earlier Than You May Think You Can
  • 11 Dollar Store Bargains You’d Be Crazy to Buy Anywhere Else
  • What to Look for When Purchasing a Medical Alert System
  • What Everyone Should Know Before Depositing Their Money In a Bank
  • Black Coffee: Born on the 4th of July
  • How To Start Investing In Cryptocurrencies
  • Grandfather Says: The Travails of Working with Stone
  • 5 Expert Tips for Saving Money with a Credit Card
  • How to Implement Strategic Planning Processes
  • Is It Better to Borrow From Your 401k or Take an Early Withdrawal?

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 40,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!

Popular Now:

  1. 1. The 6 Most Valuable Grocery Store Products
  2. 2. Series I Savings Bonds Are Now Paying 9.62%; Here Are Their Pros & Cons
  3. 3. 25 Examples of Shrinkflation That No Longer Fool Consumers
  4. 4. 7 Big Reasons Why a Roth IRA Isn’t the Best Way to Save for Retirement
  5. 5. 3 Ways That Great Sleep Helps You Get Richer
  6. 6. What’s the Fastest Way to Pay Down Your Mortgage Early?
  7. 7. How to Save Money on Dental Care So You Won’t Go Broke at the Dentist
  8. 8. Historical Gold & Silver Benchmarks for Wages and Commodity Prices
  9. 9. Tip Inflation: We’ve Got Nobody to Blame But Ourselves
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Suburban Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending You the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2022 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2022