Do you really need cable television?

Father Miser and I have been discussing cutting our cable television for months now, as a way to save money but also to pursue a more minimalistic approach to life. I am reluctant to let go of cable mainly because it is what I know and I am somewhat weary of trying new things – especially when it means having to give up something else.

Let’s be honest, my children love tv and I love that my children love tv. In monitored conditions and in moderation, it is a very useful tool for preserving a parent’s sanity. However, the truth is that we do not watch that much of it. The kids, who are home full time, watch approximately 1 hour of tv per day and we watch a few hours per week. Lately, we have been borrowing complete series of shows from friends or renting movies much more than we watch a sitcom on network television. So the question remains: do we really need cable?

In order to explore our options, we decided to sign up with Netflix for a free month trial. Like other on-demand internet streaming media, Netflix offers a variety of choices of movies, series and kids’ shows. Granted, not all are the most recent, but for $7.99 per month can we really go wrong? Until now we have been renting movies, when needed, through Rogers On Demand, for $5.99 +tax per view. For two dollars more I can watch unlimited shows and movies with Netflix! It seems like a no-brainer.

We have now completed the free trial with Netflix. We have yet to cancel cable but are using the summer as a bridging period to wean off some of our more go-to shows on cable television that are unavailable on Netflix. The truth is, we don’t need cable and it is all a matter of readjusting our habits. The best that can come of our switch will be more money in our pocket and possibly less time mindlessly watching whatever is on the tube, therefore leaving more time for other forms of entertainment and relaxation.

If you are considering making the switch, be aware that you may have to increase your home internet package, depending on your usage. In our case, it did not change a thing.

MM

This post has not been sponsored and simply reflects my own thoughts and opinions about the product.