According to this article, cable generally costs at least $500 to almost $1300 per year and I know that a lot of consumers have a bunch of extras in their cable packages that raise the monthly bill. The article also gives a few ideas for alternatives if you can’t go cold turkey, but most rely upon an internet connection so depending on how much internet costs for you, these alternatives may not end up saving you much. Most of the alternatives I looked into at the time involved my computer, and since I work and go to school, my computer is pretty much tied up. My daughter wouldn’t be able to watch it anyway. So, we opted for straight out DVDs and since she watched television way more than I did, I thought I’d give you some idea where to find inexpensive (cheap) DVDs for kids.

Walmart and Target

Seems like a no brainer, but you have to look in the cheap areas otherwise, both Walmart and Target have some pretty expensive DVDs. Yes, I ended up buying a lot of DVDs out of the $5 bin at Walmart. Luckily, my daughter is young enough to appreciate most of the cartoons and kid’s shows that are in those bins, although she thought the cover for Lassie looked way better than the movie actually was.

DVD Rentals Are Not Dead

There aren’t many places that still rent DVDs but I live in a small town that has a discount store almost literally down the street. We can rent movies from there for $2 a day. If I rented a DVD from the discount store every day, I still would not be spending as much as I did on Dish Network.

Borrow and Beg for DVDs

I am lucky to have people in my family that pretty much hoard DVDs and allow me to borrow a movie for free from them on occasion. I am also lucky enough to have someone in my family that owns quite a few new releases. If I ever needed a movie that was not animated or made by Disney, I could borrow one from them (as well as the kid’s movies too).

Garage Sales and Discount Stores

Not only can you find really, insanely cheap DVDs at garage sales and discount stores, but you can also find VHS movies as well. Yeah, that’s right. I said VHS. I don’t have a VCR but I was always amazed at the movies you can still buy on VHS for less than a dollar and sometimes just pocket change.  If you have one, hook that thing up and watch some cheap movies. Kids don’t know the difference. In fact, they may think they have found something new when you pull out the rusty, dusty VCR.

Don’t Go for New Releases

My daughter has become a huge fan of I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show (for some unexplainable reason) and I can find really cheap DVDs with entire seasons of these shows in most stores. We never ever bought new release movies and I can save that for a special treat to the movie theater. I know it’s cheaper to actually buy the DVD, but sometimes it’s nice to get out and do something. Plus, it’s a lot of fun for kids.

I’m glad that I disconnected the satellite TV when I did. I hated the idea of wasting so much money on channels and television shows that we never watched and I think it made a big difference in getting caught up on a lot of bills. If you are considering cutting cable, I would definitely say go for it. You don’t have to go all Amish and actually sell your TV, although I did but that’s another story, there are tons of alternatives available that make living without cable a lot easier.

What do you think. Could you live without cable or satellite television?

I officially broke up with Dish Network in March and can honestly say that I have not missed it at all. I did not sign up for a different service, I just decided to try and live on DVD’s and internet. Believe it or not, it is working. I did for a split second, wonder if I should sign up for something else, when I noticed my daughter deeply engrossed in Fineas and Ferb at my mom’s house. I mean, I actually felt sorry for her that, even though she has a bazillion DVD’s she can watch, she still misses the shows she watched when we had Dish Network.

So I asked her if she missed Fineas and Ferb and as expected she said yes. “Do you want to see if there’s a Fineas and Ferb DVD?” I asked her.

“That I can buy and watch all the time?”

“Sure,” I told her. And it was like Christmas.

I didn’t expect there to be a Fineas and Ferb DVD, but there was. Actually any television show you can think of is on DVD, apparently for those of us that are unwilling to pay for cable or satellite television. We bought one Fineas and Ferb with a million episodes and one iCarly DVD with a billion episodes for around $20.00. My daughter has watched those DVD’s nonstop. Which is fine, because the Scooby Doo DVD’s were beginning to annoy me (and I love Scooby Doo).

And, she can watch those DVD’s whenever she wants as many times as she likes. She’s happy. I’m happy.

Still beats paying almost $70 a month for satellite television. I still miss the Food Network, and even if they have a DVD I don’t miss it enough to buy one. I also miss those marathons of Intervention and Hoarders. On the flip side, I haven’t stayed up til 3:00 a.m. because I’m hooked on one of those marathons.

I bought some real movies to watch at night when my daughter goes to sleep but I haven’t had time to watch them. Which further proves that I never needed Dish Network in the first place.

So if you’re considering ditching the satellite but are unsure (or afraid) as I was, trust me. That extra money each month will make it worth it.

By the way, utilities are still out of control. Too bad I can’t ditch electricity too.

If you remember, I posted a while back about My Deadbeat Television, meaning the expense that wasn’t pitching in around the house. We still only watched two or three channels and even with knocking loads of extra expenses off, my bill was never lower than $60 a month. I’m sorry. SpongeBob and Food Network are not worth $2 a day, even if for some odd reason we watched them 24/7. I’d gladly pay what they’re worth and to me, that’s about $5 a month. Total. Or like a nickel per use, which would be about $1.50 a month (again, if we watched it every single day). That’s my deal, they can take it or leave it.

My contract was up in February I think and I hadn’t paid my bill in over a month. No real reason except that it kept slipping my mind and I usually call when they threaten to disconnect and pay over the phone immediately. This time I didn’t though. I called and asked what I needed to do to cancel the service.

CSR: You have a balance of (whatever he said). Will you be paying with check or credit card?

Me: I’m not paying that right now. I just asked what I need to do to cancel the service.

CSR: Hold on, I’ll transfer you to cancellation.

Couple seconds later, same rep. “We’ll cancel it now and you’ll be credited (whatever amount he said).

Me: What? Wait. I didn’t install the dish, I have no idea what I need to do.

CSR: We’ll send a box with instructions.

Me: What about fees. What will I have to pay?

CSR: Just the amount you owe or it’ll go to collections.

Drumroll please.

And the Award for Most Unhelpful Person on Earth goes to… Mr. CSR from Dish Network.

I emailed with more specific questions and still haven’t heard anything. Apparently they don’t care that I’m canceling, but again it’s the same concept when you break off any relationship. After the phone call and the unanswered email I’m not looking back. The one thing that kept me on the fence was the fear that once I canceled the service I’d realize I was missing something I really needed. Unfortunately, even if this did happen, I would go somewhere else. Definitely not Dish Network. Well, unless they agree to the $1.50 a month package that I suggested. Then we can talk.

The truth is, we only think we need things like satellite television because they’ve always been there. I’m guessing it’ll be a lot like when I canceled the land line. I’ll miss it occasionally, but I think I might enjoy the extra $60 a month.

Three Things I’ve Figured Out:

1. Apparently I associate dating with utility bills and credit card companies.
2. I have broken up with Qwest (landline), Chase Bank and now Dish Network.
3. I should be dating people and not utility companies.

It’s a good feeling, though. Here’s to saving money (and finding relationships that are worth it).

Sorry, but I like bottled water. I don’t drink water from the tap, and these articles aren’t taking into consideration the time I turned on the water and brown stuff came out. Or the story I heard about a dead mouse in my friend’s well. Maybe the rest of the world lives in places with trustworthy water streaming from their faucets, but when I compare the risks of bottled water (yes, I’ve read those articles too) and the brown-ness of the water burping from my kitchen sink, well I choose bottled.

Sure, my bottles may even be filled by a faucet in a large factory, it still looks better than mine. I’m not entirely foolish, I know that all bottles of water aren’t filled a drop a day by a crystal clear mountain spring, but I do know it isn’t nowhere near what I’ve tasted from faucets during my lifetime.

And no, I don’t have time for a purifier or other fancy do it yourself water cleaner. That’s why I buy bottled water. I don’t have time to hunt down my own body of water and I’m not carrying any buckets over a mountain for anything. I just want water that doesn’t smell like metal or the toilet. That’s not asking for much, is it?

I have been trying to complain less for this very reason, sure I mention the things that I’m working on or looking for, but I’m not blasting anyone but Chase Bank (and we’ve made up, mind you). I know I haven’t cut everything out that I should, but some of the small things are worth keeping for our own peace of mind. Some people have their lattes, I have a bottle of water. Some people are just fine with their faucets and will never ever, not even in a swamp in a third world country, drink bottled water. All I can say, is a) I’m jealous you have good water and b) hope you don’t get sick from that stinky stuff.

I’m sure other people have purchases that they could cut but feel strongly about keeping. Please tell me it isn’t just me…

One of the comments in my last post on cutting the biggest expense of all was from lazyjayn of the blog, 365 Dollar Year about spending a dollar a day for a year on food. Another fascinating concept to me, it looks fun and I’m a little jealous. I just know my daughter and I could not survive on it, partly because I’m not nearly as creative as lazyjayn when it comes to hunting down the great deals on food.

Anyway, her idea was to team up with another single parent, which I hadn’t thought of before. At this point, I don’t know any other single parents where I live (odd, huh?), but it’s definitely a win-win suggestion. Enough so, that I may go on a hunt for a single parent. I’m sure there are others out there that could benefit from sharing housing expenses as much as i do.

In the meantime, my parents have remodeled the upstairs of their house so if and when we move there, it’s going to be pretty comfy. I just need to get over my own stupid pride and be thankful that I am fortunate enough to have parents that will allow me and my child to live with them. Not everyone does, by the way.

With the recent payment plans with the medical bills and Chase Bank, it’s not like we’re suffering here. Things are actually getting paid down. I’m just looking for a really big way to boost myself out of debt…faster.

Guess I could also use a huge dose of patience as well. I’m working on it.

Here are the cuts I’ve made in the last year:

I canceled the land line.
I stopped eating out.
I’ve stopped using my credit cards (which means no extra spending on the frivolity of cute shoes and handbags at the very least).
I take my lunch to work.
I do not have my hair done professionally, even though my cousin is pretty professional.

Here are the cuts I have not made but intended on:

My cellphone bill is still too much. I have not tried the Walmart pay as you go plan that I had considered.
I have not yet tried to make my own dryer sheets with coffee filters.
I have not traded my 2007 G6 for a cheaper clunker (okay, this wasn’t ever my intention anyway).
I have not grown any of my own food or really tried to make anything except the Valentine card box.
I have not tried sewing our clothes.
I have not canceled the Dish Network, even though my contract is expiring at any minute.

My goal is still, to be in a position to comfortably buy a house for my daughter and myself, especially since small town bank specifically said I’d never be able to. The problem right now is that a) my expenses are still not lowered enough to afford a house and everything it entails. b) my credit is a bit askew because of the medical bills and credit cards.

Most likely I will move into my parents’ home for a little while to save some money and get my bills paid off. I will still pay rent and expenses, but it’ll be considerably less than renting an entire home. Granted, I don’t look forward to having to move myself and my daughter into mom and dad’s but…you do what you gotta do.

I’ve also looked into a position as a resident manager of an apartment complex, which could also save me quite a bit of cash. Unfortunately, trying to squeeze a house full of stuff into an apartment could be hell, not to mention adding yet another job to my current list could end up sending me to live with the Amish. I’m not sure, but I did apply.

It’s a lovely house I live in. I think sometimes we have to sacrifice in order to make it to the end, though. I know there’s some kind of deep and meaningful saying somewhere about living like a bum in order to afford a house one day, but right now I can’t think of it.

Ugh…here’s to paying things off early and getting what we want…

One thing I hadn’t taken into consideration, was that my cell phone plan is on the lowest plan available (I’ve been cutting everything out, remember), which does not allow for many anytime minutes. My fantastic idea of paying for unlimited texting and just texting everyone instead of using minutes backfired somewhat. I don’t much enjoy talking on the phone in the first place.

How did this backfire? Let’s see, who do you call and are on the phone with the longest? When you think about it, it’s all people you cannot text. Utility companies, creditors, medical facilities. You can’t text these people just to ask when your bill is due or how to set up a payment plan. You have to call and these phone calls are never ever short. Maybe that’s the newest way they’re gettin me–making me go over my minutes by waiting and listening to crappy instrumentals.

I have not gone over yet but I’m constantly wondering and worrying about it. I hate not taking a phone call from someone (like my family) who I really do want to talk to or cutting it short because I might go over my minutes. And asking to call after 9:00 pm is not only too late, but just weird. Besides that, not everyone texts. Sometimes you have to make a phone call.

Okay, so is it worth upping my minutes on my cell phone? A landline was costing around $25.00 a month and can only be used when I’m at home. I don’t know. It just seems odd to see the telephone plugged in but not be able to use it. Not that I have anyone to call right now anyway.

So, what do you think? Are you keeping your landline for any similar reasons? Or are have you been surviving without one?

More and more Americans dream of cutting back on expenses and for most of us, home entertainment is one of the first budgetary items that is slashed. A growing number of TV viewers are doing away with their cable and turning to “off-the-grid” methods such as internet-based television and on demand web sites such as Hulu and YouTube. For some viewers, simply attaching your computer to your TV may work fine, but some of us want ease of use and a true cable or satellite alternative.

Sites like Hulu offer a massive amount of free content including current television hits such as The Office, 30 Rock, Dancing With the Stars and more (Hulu is jointly owned by NBC, Fox and ABC). Hulu offers an “On Demand” functionality that suits more of us “on the go” types who can’t watch shows live or whose goal is to cut costs, which, sadly, may include DVR service. Immediately after a show airs on a Hulu-carried network, that episode is added to the site. Though each network carries a solid amount of popular content, not all shows are added to Hulu, such as Fox hits American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? (they only offer clips).

If you’re a swinging bachelor or bachelorette, sitting in front of your computer for an hour or two to watch a few shows may fit your lifestyle. For families this is simply not an option. Mentioned earlier, most PCs and Macs can be plugged into your TV’s input for easy viewing provided you own the right cords and adapters. One should also note that streaming content from your computer to an HDTV can contain harsh quality degradation along with eating up a huge amount of bandwidth.

If having to attach your computer to your TV every time you want to watch a show or movie sounds like a drag, other options may suit your needs. Largely seen as a failure by pundits, Apple Computer’s Apple TV box allows viewers to play music and videos from your iTunes on your HDTV. On the surface, the possibilities sound pretty lame. Enter Boxee. This popular third-party application can be used not only on your computer to stream Hulu, YouTube, Instant Netflix, Pandora Radio and iTunes content, but can also be added to your Apple TV device. This means all the free programming that currently exists on these videos are easily accessible without the need of computer cable hassles, cable television and a satellite dish. All you would need is high-speed cable internet. Considering the cost savings by eliminating your cable/satellite bill, the average American family will be able to save some cash hand-over-fist.

Using Netflix is also a popular way for TV and movie junkies to get their fix at a low rate. But besides their DVD-by-mail service, they offer a bevy of films and TV shows through their ‘Instant” service. Again, subscribers can either stream this content on their computer or purchase a Roku box for $99 and plug it into a TV. The Roku will also carry content through Amazon.com’s On Demand service. Though there is a cost for Netflix service, adding it to your Hulu or Boxee solution will further enhance your cable/satellite alternative.

Hulu is still widely seen as an experiment in programming and there is a lot of talk of content owners planning on adding a price plan to the site. There’s no guarantee that Hulu will remain free. You should also know that the use of Hulu through Boxee is an unsupported endeavor so Hulu outages in the application may occur from time to time. Still, with all the money you can save, it may be worth it.

In addition to watching TV online you also may want to look into switching to Satellite TV, which can be much more affordable than cable. Be sure to check out our site for a complete review of Dish Network and to order Dish Network online.

I guess I’ve been thinking a lot of it today since I finally gave up the nic gum. I mean, I’m chewing regular gum but I decided this morning that I will not buy anymore nic gum. I thought it would be harder but I’m guessing that there isn’t much to that nic gum anyway.

It’s been over 7 months since I quit, you can say I’ve saved roughly $1260 not smoking. That isn’t deducting the nic gum and lozenges that I used to quit but that’s still quite a bit of change to be spending on something that’s so horridly bad for you in the first place.

You’d be amazed how good it feels. I don’t have any urge at all to smoke. My problem was actually being addicted to the gum, but that’ll probably be gone in a few days too. It’s an extra clean feeling, like you don’t have that film of tar and yuck wrapped around you anymore.

If it’s not your time, don’t worry about it. Sometimes it takes many many attempts at quitting before something finally takes. It took me quitting over and over again for the last two or three years and I can honestly say I’m done with it.

At least on November 19, skip one or two. If you can, try to make it through the whole Great American Smokeout without smoking. You never know, this might be your time and November 19th could be the start of a cleaner you…and some extra money in your pocket at the same time. I don’t know about you, but I love extra money…

Good luck!

But, now we’re headed toward an even bigger time of the year as Thanksgiving lurks around the corner and Christmas is waiting in the woods to jump out and choke us. (Bah Humbug, huh?)  Tis the time when a lot of us are thinking about charity and are thankful that we are in positions that granted are rough, but are not really that bad. After all, things can always be worse, right?

There are a lot of people that are wondering  if they still have room to make their regular charitable donations. I’m going to have to guess that for most of us the answer is “no”, though few will want to admit that. My advice if you can’t help or give this holiday season is to focus on yourself and your family.

Selfish? Maybe. But, there’s a reason they tell you on airplanes to put your oxygen mask on first. Not because you selfishly want to save your own life, but because if you don’t and you pass out, you are of no help to anyone anyway. Giving to charity when you can’t is kind of the same thing. We have to first make sure that we’re okay and can feed and take care of our families before we consider trying to take care of someone else’s.

If you absolutely feel as though you must donate then consider time instead of money. I don’t know about you, but my time is worth way more than any cash I could give anyway. Almost any place you’re interested in from Hospitals to Senior Centers to Schools will accept volunteers. I know for a fact that my daughter’s school is looking for people to help disinfect tables and chairs because of all of the flu yuck going around. Take a plate of cookies to the senior center, call the homeless shelter, even check out the Humane Society  and see what help they can use. It isn’t always about money and right now, a lot of us are running pretty low. Don’t be unreasonable and try donating what you don’t have.

Once we all get back on our feet again, we can figure out how to make up for the year or two that we didn’t donate. Until then, put your mask on first…and help yourself and your family out. Trust me, you’ll feel just as good.