By Brandon Koll | Last Updated 8/16/20025
With all the different cable and streaming services around right now it can really add up and hit your budget. If you are a big fan of the NFL like me, the situation is not looking very good. You must have local channels, ESPN, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and possibly something else just to watch the games offered each week. Ever since this has been happening, I’m becoming less of a football fan. Let’s look at some of the options out there and maybe a few cheaper options.
So many services that can add up
There are a ton of steaming and cable options available. To get a bunch of regular TV channels, you can use a cable service or one of the many streaming services available such as YouTube TV. Then you have the streaming services that are going to dig into your budget as well. We can start with Amazon Prime. Most people have this for their package delivery, so this one will most likely stay in your budget like it does mine. Then you have Netflix, Disney+, and a bunch of other options available. I have talked to a few people that have over 5 different services.
Save the extras until you are well off
In addition to all these available services, there are some expensive extras out there as well. Most of the major professional sports have a package to watch almost every game. As an example, the NFL offers Sunday Ticket that can go for nearly $500 a year. If you are into fighting, you can get stuck with a $80 pay per view night just to watch the fight. These types of things are just not in the average budget, or maybe they shouldn’t be.
My Reason for cutting back
I recently decided to cut my digital cable to save a little extra in the budget. I personally will watch way too much TV, so the decision was more than just financial. If I start a good series on a streaming service, I can sit and watch all weekend long. I’m not so proud of this fact, but it is something that I need to watch out for.
Short videos
The rest of my family will binge watch a streaming service every now and then, but they are more into YouTube videos and stuff from social media. The good part about those two is they are free if you have an internet connection. On the negative side, you have some sort of algorithm continuing to feed you crap. If you watch something it just keeps feeding you as much as possible of the same thing. I think this is part of the reason some people seem to only see one side of things.
Free TV
If you prefer regular TV with commercials, then there are a lot of options out there as well. I have a Samsung TV, and they have a good number of free channels. There are also options such as Pluto or Tubi, which have a huge selection to choose from. I have been watching these services for a little over 6 months now. I love the price, but they are not as good as having some of the cable channels. The good news is that I watch less TV because I’m not as interested in their programming. These services are good in some ways, but they don’t include local channels.
Tablo for almost free
If you enjoy local programming, then how about using an antenna. I bought a cheap antenna and was able to pick up around 40 over the air channels. Some of these are a little choppy, but good enough for me. I also invested in a Tablo device for less than $100. This allows me to broadcast these 40 channels to all my TVs, phones, and tablets. In addition to that, there is also a recording function, so I can record my favorite shows or games.
Stop watching TV and find something better to do
This is a lot of talk about TV options. If you really want to save money and make better use of your time don’t watch any TV. Go spend time with others, go for a walk, read a book, or do something that you love. I will admit that I still watch TV, but I have cut way back and hope to not go back to watching too much TV.
Finance Hack – Stop watching TV or cut all your services and only use the free ones.
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to cable and streaming options. That also includes some decent free options. I recommend that you try to cut back or cut them from your budget altogether. Good luck with this endeavor!
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