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turnip
Member
418 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 8:38:18 PM
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So DH is on month 3 of being unemployed. We have downsized BIGTIME but there is still some trimming to do. We are considering selling one of our cars as we really don't need it here. Another thing we are considering is cutting the cable. This would be such an easy way to save 40 bucks a month. I am doing it tomorrow but I am amazed at how others who don't even live here are protesting.
My parents live across the country and think we NEED it and will be deprived of entertainment if we don't have cable TV. (This coming from people who never had it until 5 years ago). Really? We are always doing something else besides TV I doubt we will even miss it except for some college football. People are FLABBERGASTED at the idea of not having cable TV. I am still calling Comcast tomorrow to cancel.
Keep in mind, my co-workers and I are grad students/post-doc academics who make very little money. Yet most of them already have Blue-Ray DVD player and 50" flatscreen TVs...I just don't get it. |
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kally
Advanced Member
Canada
6900 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2009 : 8:40:32 PM
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| wow, just do it, lead the pack. |
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Crystal
Moderator
10757 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 12:06:15 AM
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| If you don't tell them, how will they know? :) |
Our vision is for a friendly online simple living community. |
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homenurse
Advanced Member
USA
5101 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 01:21:18 AM
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I haven't had TV for more than 5 years, yet my mom still can't remember that. She often asks me if I saw such and such show. When I say "no", then she remembers. Of course she's 84, so that may be part of it.
Some people will just never understand. Why undertake the hassle of telling them and then having to listen to their comments and defend yourself? Few people know I don't have TV; it just never becomes a topic of conversation. Life is full of a billion other things to talk about besides the latest episode of some television show. |
"What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?"--George Elliot
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sweetana3
Advanced Member
3956 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 02:42:53 AM
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Reminds me of the plot to a scifi show/movie I watched a long time ago. The TV controlled the life of everyone.
Always amazed me how much conversation at work was about what was watched on TV the night before. I made it a point to stay away from the "popular" shows (or books) and was considered the nut for watching PBS. |
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kmec
Advanced Member
3611 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 02:48:24 AM
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| There are many other ways to spend time other than watching TV. I grew up w/o cable and am not a TV watcher. My parents have cable now, but generally spend most of their watching time complaining that there's nothing on. My solution: turn it off! Their solution: watch "nothing." Make a list of things you've always wanted to do, because TV is an enormous time vacuum and you'll have time to do other things now. |
http://rosemaryevergreen.blogspot.com/ |
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annabk
Advanced Member
3738 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 02:51:07 AM
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I cut cable a year ago, but Comcast is slow. I still had it until a month ago, when they started switching to digital. Now I have some channels and not others.
I almost wish they'd cut it entirely. Every show I want to watch is available on the internet for cheaper than Comcast with fewer commercial interruptions.
Stick to your guns on this. Cutting cable is a good move. I am watching almost no TV now, which for one thing, means I'm going to bed earlier and feeling more rested. I also have a lot of time for things I value more. Sometimes I do want to just veg in front of the TV, but I have DVDs for that.
There's a book I've heard good things about: Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television. I haven't read it yet but am on the waiting list for it at the library. You might want to check it out.
Even if your family and friends don't support you, you'll find plenty of support here. |
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." - Oscar Wilde |
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VWfanatic
Associate Member
140 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 03:13:56 AM
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| Considering how expensive cable is, I applaud you. I would LOVE to cut out cable but my dad lives with us and he loves to watch the Turner Classic channel; at 84 there are few pleasures he has. Friends of mine who have given up their cable rent movies from the library. There are many to choose from and they are FREE!! |
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crunchycon
Advanced Member
1131 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 03:25:26 AM
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| You'll be amazed at how little you'll miss it. |
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Zoe
Advanced Member
1642 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 04:38:03 AM
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Depending on what your finances are like, $40 is better spent on food, towards rent or utilities or even saving for an emergency than TV.
You are not weird or crazy, just challenging the "norm" and that make some people uncomfortable. You will find plenty of things to do to keep you entertained.
I applaud your choice! |
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Glo
Advanced Member
2389 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 06:19:00 AM
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| Although I would not part with cable if I had a choice, I'd certainly part with it if my income stopped. If you had no money coming in, I'd think that cable would be the easiest cut. Much easier than food!!!! |
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Iguana
Advanced Member
USA
2949 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 07:25:31 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Glo
Although I would not part with cable if I had a choice, I'd certainly part with it if my income stopped. If you had no money coming in, I'd think that cable would be the easiest cut. Much easier than food!!!!
Same here. Some decisions you just have to make and not tell people about.  You don't want their opinion, so don't invite it. Just do it! |
All glory to the hypnotoad... |
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hapathy
Senior Member
USA
701 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 07:54:04 AM
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You hang around with weirdos  . Ok they probably aren't really that weird, but I don't know, I've never really felt any social pressure for that type of thing.
I find it ESPECIALLY bizarre that these folks think it's odd you are giving up cable in a period of *UNEMPLOYMENT*!! Just bizarre. I mean sure some people can just glide through unemployment or the loss of a spouses job without any reductions in lifestyle, but it seems to me most people panic when jobs are lost and would understand any reasonable bill cut.
It is true that when I think I will get too much flack from people for some decision or other I just don't tell them! But I've never considered t.v. viewing habits to be that type of thing. |
Got community? |
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steve s
Senior Member
USA
766 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 08:22:49 AM
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"There is a way you can have a fulfilling life sitting in front of the TV.
The trick is to unplug the TV and engage in active pursuits while sitting there."
Stolen from Ernie Zelinski |
http://hangininsac.blogspot.com/ |
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wordweaver
Advanced Member
1486 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 09:44:10 AM
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| I have several friends that don't have cable or satellite, and I don't have it either. Plus there's so much available now to watch on the computer, or using Netflix for dvd's. I don't think its much of an oddity any more to go without. |
Angels are simply angles of ourselves. |
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creaker41
Advanced Member
3492 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 11:30:17 AM
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We've done the major portion of a year (don't remember exactly how many months) with just netflix and a roku box (streams netflix to the TV). That's more than enough.
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Topic |
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cutting the cable and social pressure
