Simple Ways To Save On Cable Bills: Everyday Savings
Saving on bills is a top resolution for homeowners, but unfortunately, most people don’t have the know-how. Household bills encompass several things including, electricity, gas, cable, and groceries, among others. Managing your budget and service payments are a sure way to stay out of debt. “Setting and keeping a budget are key indicators of excellent personal financial management”, says John Rampton, a famous entrepreneur and business coach.
Your Guide For Practical Ways To Lower Your Cable Bill
Even as cable services become more and more expensive, a surprisingly large percentage of households still maintain the service. Millions of cable subscribers are utterly adamant about doing away with cable or fear that the move won’t work in their area.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that you have to continue paying expensive subscriptions in a bid to watch your favorite channels. There are several strategies that savvy customers can implement to maintain their cable subscriptions but still save on cable payments. To keep watching your favorite entertainment, news, or sports channels on TV cable, adapt the following tricks to lower your cable bill.
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1. Keep Away From Two-Year Contracts
Although long-term contracts may be considerably cheaper, they have their share of downsides. When you sign up for a two-year contract, you lack leverage for negotiation and access to better deals for two years. You get bound to the cable provider besides being unable to cancel your plan due to a hefty cancellation fee. Therefore, it’s best to stick to the month-to-month commitment.
2. Monitor Your Cable Bill History
It's essential to monitor how much you have been paying for your cable connection. For new cable customers, it may be difficult to note any anomalies or price hikes on their bills. As a new subscriber, you are more likely to receive discounts on your subscriptions, among other services cable providers offer to lure customers into their cable plans. Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon for rates to start rising a few months after signing up with a particular cable company. That’s why it’s essential to keep an eye on your monthly bill regularly.
Consequently, it becomes possible to pinpoint any unforeseen extra charges as soon as they appear on your bill. A quick step would be to seek an explanation from your provider. Here, you seek to know the resolutions your cable company can implement to maintain rates you are accustomed to. Otherwise, it becomes necessary for you to undertake some measures on your own to substantially lower your cable bill.
3. Learn To Negotiate Better Deals
Cable subscriptions are highly competitive, and it’s high time you start comparing your services with the alternatives. Take a look at your current bills and note down the services you receive. Subsequently, get a list of affordable or favorable packages offered by other cable companies in your neighborhood. This way, you find helpful information to use in your negotiation and alternatives you might consider later. Next, call the customer retention department of your cable company to haggle for a better deal.
A quick catch is to mention that you know that competitors have better offers, and you might consider signing up with them. Here, you are luring the agent into talking you out of leaving their subscription. Understand that the agent won’t immediately give in to your demands. First, they will try to get you to agree to several other options rather than lower your cable bill. Some may offer to downgrade your services for you to pay less, but standing your ground will work the best for you.
Making the Conversation a Success
You are looking to win a better deal from your cable provider to lower your cable bill. it’s, therefore, essential to learn some haggling tricks. Be keen on building rapport and being kind to form a better foundation for negotiation. The agent is more likely to agree to your request when they find you likable. Make your request calmly and actively listen to the other party. Don’t be ashamed of requesting for anything you want. The agent will be looking to satisfy and retain you.
Additionally, use catchy phrases to trigger the agent to prove that they can offer you a better deal. Remember that you may not achieve a win-win situation at the moment. Consider hanging up if the offers are not appealing or when the agent is a hard nut to crack. Trying another call may be your chance to land a better offer.
What Are You Likely to Get from the Negotiation
There are several deals subscribers receive from negotiating with their cable providers. A recent report on a survey carried out on approximately 176000 subscribers provides an insight into the likely offer one can get. 80% of the consumers who negotiated received varied offers. Surprisingly, 32% of the subscribers were able to get new promotional rates, whereas 24% received up to $50 cuts from their monthly bill. For others, extra premium channels were provided at a discount or free. A decent percentage of the consumers who tried haggling received an increment in internet speed. Other deals that negotiation can yield include more regular channels, discounted or free equipment, and waiving of the installation fee.
4. Cut Down On Subscription
There are several reasons why people prefer premium channels. You may be tired of commercials or want to follow a show that’s exclusive to a particular premium channel. The channels air commercial-free programs with the only ads being those for other programs in the channel. This could be the main reason why subscribers maintain premium subscriptions. A premium channel charges you an extra fee on top of your standard cable subscription. You are aware that premium channels such as HBO, Starz, and Showtime don’t come cheap. Some subscribers pay through the nose to keep the original programs.
Although it’s hard to bid goodbye to your favorite premium channels, you can actually save several bucks by removing some. Why not forgo a luxury that’s taking a toll on your cable bills? The solution doesn’t have to be permanent. You can subscribe back to channels that exclusively air content that you can’t live without and then remove them when the seasons come to an end. You can as well consider eliminating them all to save as much as $30 on your monthly cable bill.
Setting Priorities
When cutting down on premium channels, the best trick is to determine your priorities accurately. With preferences set, it’s easy to pick premium channels that you need and lower your cable bills.
For instance, if you are a movie fan, you will concentrate on channels that suit your preferences. The majority of premium channels play movies, but you are looking for one that provides a better share of films. Visit a channel’s website to get an insight into their provisions.
Trim Your Package
It’s not surprising that most households pay for an exceedingly high number of channels. Statistics reveal that American households subscribe to cable plans with more than 200 channels. Surprisingly, the same homes only watch about 20 channels. You will admit that you are wasting your hard-earned money on more than 150 unnecessary channels. It’s wise to purchase smaller packages that will cost you less to significantly lower your cable bill. Visit your provider’s website or call them to see if you can access a smaller package. Subsequently, pick a less expensive, smaller plan with most of your favorite channels.
5.Combine Your Services
Bundling your TV, phone, and internet services is a quick way to lower your cable bill. Providers have noted the market trends associated with cable subscriptions, and it’s quite common to see the companies run promotions on these combined services. Consider talking to your service provider to see if they provide the 3-in-1 package and the cost. You are looking to know what the bundle package offers and how much you can save with it. With the right TV and internet package, you are sure to access your favorite channels and fast internet on a lower bill.
Nevertheless, you ought to be careful when seeking service bundles. Be wary of a provider who gives you cheap introductory offers to lure you into buying their package. The offer’s attractive price may be restricted to one year after which the rates rise. Although the introductory offers might seem much affordable than a standard package, you surely don’t want to be subjected to an unexpected rise in rates. It’s good to know that prices for bundle packages may increase annually. The increment could start from $10 to more substantial amounts that would definitely frisk your pockets.
Nevertheless, a quick call to your cable provider can help exempt you from exorbitant prices. Negotiate for better deals from the company to ensure you benefit optimally from the combined package. You might as well consider other cable providers with better bundles. Why not take advantage of the competition?
6. Save On the Internet
Even as you bundle your internet with the cable service, there are higher chances of paying more than necessary. The average internet user does not need as fast internet as they purchase with service bundles. 100 Mbps is considered fast internet and is enough to keep an average household going unless you are an ardent gamer at home. For gaming purposes, you will need higher internet speeds to load the larger files and ease the experience.
Nonetheless, most households don’t require to go big on internet speeds. Wi-Fi setup, and not low internet speed, are the common culprit for slow internet speed and buffering issues. Low-speed internet will help you access the basics and significantly lower your cable bill.
Do Away with Rental Modem
Does the internet section of your cable bill have a modem charge? Probably, it’s a yes for most homeowners. The chances are that your cable provider leases you that device responsible for internet connection in your home. The costs usually range from about 8$ to $13 per month. With these numbers, you can easily estimate how much you are likely to pay in several years. A wise customer would prefer buying a modem overpaying the monthly rentals. Ensure that your cable provider allows for the option and that the modem you acquire is compatible with their network.
Advice for Modem and Router Buyers
Note that a modem allows you to connect a single gadget to the internet. A wi-fi router is necessary to connect several devices, including smartphones and laptops. Some service providers combine a router and modem to come up with a gateway. However, it’s highly advisable to acquire a separate router and modem to allow flexibility.
For instance, you just need to upgrade your modem when upgrading your broadband. Contrarily, replace your modem when enhancing your home’s network to access more features or internet speed. Buying a new gadget is recommendable, but purchasing a used or refurbished modem/router could save you some bucks.
Nevertheless, be careful when looking for used modems since they have a higher potential for risks. The owner might have abused the device or failed to deactivate their account. Be sure that you can return a used modem in case it doesn’t work. Refurbished modems offer the same benefits as new modems, but are considerably cheaper. Conventionally, refurbished modems cost two-thirds of the new options. All in all, you are sure to lower your cable bill regardless of the modem you purchase.
7. Get Rid Of Your Rental DVR
Cable subscribers use DVR to record shows but pay a monthly fee of about $6-$13 for the service. Unlike VCR, which records programs to a cassette tape, a DVR saves the recordings on its hard drive. A digital recorder allows one to save the programs on memory cards in the form of digital copies. You can then play the files on personal computers and other devices that are compatible with digital media. Using DVR, you can rewind, fast forward, or even pause TV shows. Every major cable provider supplies a DVR without upfront costs.
However, DVR services account for a significant share of cable bills and can accumulate to as much as $150 in a year. Some cable providers charge subscribers fees for using the DVR besides charges for renting it. On top of the DVR rental, some cable companies charge a set-top-box fee that ranges from about $6-$8 a month. Taking into account these charges may yield a yearly fee of about $220. But do you use your DVR regularly? Probably no. You may have realized that you can actually survive and enjoy your favorite shows without DVR. Even though you miss out on a particular show, you can still catch up with an on-demand replay.
The likely reason most people keep their DVR is that they have not realized that most programs are now available on-demand. As you have already observed, ditching your DVR means cutting off more than $150 from your annual cable bill. What a way to lower your cable bill! If you are really keen on saving your favorite TV programs, buying your own DVR can exempt you from the hefty lifetime cost of DVR rental.
8.Look For a Cheaper Cable Provider
Consider looking at the packages and rates offered by other cable providers in your area. It’s essential to confirm that your current cable company won’t charge you an exorbitant cancellation fee when ending your subscription with them. Whereas there several options to pick from, reaching a decision may be difficult for most people. To land the best cable deals, keep in mind the following things.
Compare Several Options
You are looking to find cable providers in your area. You will be spoilt for choice from several options on the internet.
Additionally, request your friends and relatives to give you some referrals. Ask about their experiences with the cable company, outage tendencies, the customer care services, and their general view of the provider. Also, check how companies of interest fair in customer satisfaction annual survey reports.
Decide on Your Must-Have Channels
You don’t want to repeat the same mistake you made when purchasing your previous package. You don’t need 200 channels on a package.
It would be wise to first make a list of channels you can’t live without and those you consider nice to have.
Search for a company that provides a good share of your must-haves without the excesses.
Do Some Maths
It’s of utmost importance to do some few calculations to lower your cable bill substantially. Bundling your internet and cable service has the power to earn you incredible savings per year.
As a communication specialist, Alice Williams, puts it, “Combining your services helps you access more services at a price close to buying each of the services separately”.
A quick tip is to compare the prices of separate services with the bundle rates to ensure that you are actually saving with a combined services package.
Watch out for Deals
Look out for deals when subscribing to a new cable service. Take advantage of the generous offers extended to new subscribers to save significantly on your monthly bill. Some providers run these promotions for a whole year.
Nevertheless, you want to be sure that the service provider will not hike your rates when the promotion period ends. There is no shame in negotiating for a better offer from your new provider. A simple call to the company’s customer support can earn you subsidized rates or additional features on your package.
9.Maintain One Cable Box
You need a cable box from your cable company for each TV in your home to access the primary channels independently. Extra cable boxes in your home will snip about $4 to $13 from your budget every month. Nevertheless, you don’t require a TV in every room, and often, your family concentrates on one TV. Therefore, getting rid of the extra cable boxes is undoubtedly a straightforward way to lower your cable bill. Having scrapped excess boxes, maintain the cable for your main TV and connect additional TVs to antennas to receive local channels. Note that you will require a digital TV converter for this option to work in analog TVs.
10.Ditch the Cable
If all options, including negotiations, don’t work, it’s time to lower your cable bill to zero. Cord-cutting alternatives include live TV and streaming. With streaming services, you can stick to the traditional TV experience or watch shows on your tablet or smartphone. Streaming on TV will require you to invest in hardware such as a set-top box like ChromeCast or streaming sticks made by companies like Amazon and Roku. When ditching your cable, you want to ensure that you have a reliable internet connection to streamline streaming services. Here’s a quick guide on cord-cutting.
1. High-Definition(HD) Antenna
The first option you want to try is acquiring a high-definition antenna. HD antenna allows you to watch live TV and is the cheapest of all cable alternatives. Nevertheless, it doesn’t allow you to stream videos and limits you to local broadcast stations. HD antenna is the modern version of the traditional types. Connect the antenna to your TV, install it somewhere outside or near the window, and subsequently watch free channels.
There are no subscription fees for using an antenna, and it’s possible to acquire a good one at around $50. It’s worth noting that the local channels you access largely depend on your location and the stations’ kine of sight. Amplified antennas are more suitable for countryside households that are quite far from broadcast towers. Contrarily, residents can do with non-amplified aerials due to their close proximity to radio masts.
3. Streaming Services
Having acquired the right streaming device, it’s time to look for services that allow you to watch your preferred shows. Most recognizable streaming services include Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu. The services are quite affordable and have a huge selection of movies and TV shows. Hulu and Netflix subscriptions cost about $8-$12 a month, while Amazon Prime will cost you about $119 per year. With streaming services, you can enjoy anything you used to receive on the cable, depending on your allowable budget.
2. Streaming Devices
You will require ways to take advantage of streaming services. Modern TVs have smart capabilities, with a majority of them featuring built-in streaming apps. Alternatively, you can set up your TV for streaming using various devices. The process is both affordable and straightforward. Common streaming devices include game consoles, streaming sticks, and set-top boxes.
In your search, you want to end up with a gadget fit for your budget and streaming needs. Popular manufacturers of streaming devices include Google(Chromecast), Apple(Apple TV), Roku(Roku streaming stick), and Amazon(Amazon Fire TV). Sony and Microsoft are the major manufacturers of game consoles. The prices of streaming devices are somewhere between $35 and $400. You can also connect your computer to your TV via VGA or HDMI to stream videos and music.
4. Cable-Replacement Services
Cable-replacement is the most expensive cable alternative. Using cable-replacement streaming services is akin to having a cable with the only difference being that you stream the channels on the web rather than receiving them via analog wires. Such services include DirecTV, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. The cost of the services starts at $25-$40 per month. Nonetheless, adding extra channels like HBO can raise the rate up to about $80. Remember that cable subscriptions with extra stations can cost about $100 a month.
How to Access Premium Channels
Doing away with cable translates to losing access to premium channels. Popular networks such as HBO and Showtime are top destinations for famous drama, documentaries, comedy shows, and newly released movies. Fortunately, the premium channels have their subscription services whose rates range from $9 to $15 per month. The subscriptions allow you to stream programs being aired or on-demand.
Sports Access
Sports lovers are hardest hit by cord-cutting. Cable TV allows you to access both local and international games. HD antenna will enable you to watch local games only. For more options, consider sports streaming or cable-replacement services. Well-known sports organizations, including the NBA and MLB, have streaming packages. Visit any of the organizations’ websites to learn more about their streaming services. The annual average cost of the service is about $150.
Conclusion
“I need cash now” is a common phrase among Americans looking to pay their bills and debts. However, you don’t need to keep borrowing to settle your bills, especially cable bills. Failure to pay your bills and debts will negatively affect your credit score and ability to borrow loans.
To significantly lower your cable bill, it’s good to implement several of the measures outlined above. Combining these strategies can help you cut your monthly bill by as much as 50%. Every household would surely love such savings. Get rid of the extra, including DVR, extra cable boxes besides negotiating with your provider to lower your cable bill. Otherwise, sign up with a cheaper cable company or opt for digital streaming. With these techniques, you are sure to pay your bill on time, keep away from unnecessary debts, and still access various channels.