Cutting the cords

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  • Cochese
    Veteran Member
    • Jun 2010
    • 1988

    Cutting the cords

    My wife and I were having a discussion about where we are in our lives, and the subject of having more financial growth came up. I floated the idea again of cutting the phone line, and finally got the wife to agree. I then also suggested we might try suspending our satellite bill and trying streaming most of what we wanted. When I told her it would save $100 by itself, it became a serious conversation.

    I have Amazon Prime, so I have access to most of the older stuff I like to watch already. I was already considering a Roku box for the bedroom to watch Prime, I would likely pick up a Hulu Plus subscription as well (included in the $100 figure). Pretty much everything we watch is available by one of those two. I'll miss out on baseball games, however, plus a lot of other sports only done on regional carriers.

    Anyone do this, and what was your experience like? Was it worth the savings? Any kids or sportsheads that factored into the decision?

    Combined with both we'd be saving about $150 a month. That's not insignificant.
    I have a little blog about my shop
  • chopnhack
    Veteran Member
    • Oct 2006
    • 3779
    • Florida
    • Ryobi BT3100

    #2
    Good for you!! I have tried convincing the mrs. for years to shed the landline.... Redundant services sometimes makes sense, but I'm with you, I am chasing the $ not the cents ;-)
    I think in straight lines, but dream in curves

    Comment

    • atgcpaul
      Veteran Member
      • Aug 2003
      • 4055
      • Maryland
      • Grizzly 1023SLX

      #3
      Quit cable going on 3 years now. Have had the Roku for a little longer than that.

      Yes we miss some shows but Netflix usually picks them up, and we have paid to watch Mad Men the day after it runs on AMC through Amazon. We rent a lot of Redbox movies, too. Not into sports so losing out on ESPN isn't a bid deal. I watch almost everything over the air in HD or stream it. I record OTA on my PC and then stream it to my Roku using the Plex Media Player Roku app. Not perfect but it works.

      We've kept the landline for the security system but am in the process of going to radio backup only so we'll be cutting the landline soon enough and going to mobile phones only. I will also be upgrading our cable modem service when we do that.

      Comment

      • LinuxRandal
        Veteran Member
        • Feb 2005
        • 4889
        • Independence, MO, USA.
        • bt3100

        #4
        Originally posted by atgcpaul
        Quit cable going on 3 years now. Have had the Roku for a little longer than that.

        Yes we miss some shows but Netflix usually picks them up, and we have paid to watch Mad Men the day after it runs on AMC through Amazon. We rent a lot of Redbox movies, too. Not into sports so losing out on ESPN isn't a bid deal. I watch almost everything over the air in HD or stream it. I record OTA on my PC and then stream it to my Roku using the Plex Media Player Roku app. Not perfect but it works.

        We've kept the landline for the security system but am in the process of going to radio backup only so we'll be cutting the landline soon enough and going to mobile phones only. I will also be upgrading our cable modem service when we do that.
        So you didn't cut the cable, just disconnected, the tv? (is your cable modem service cheaper without the tv or do you have basic service with the modem service?)
        I keep hearing people talking about cutting the cable and such, and the reality is for these devices to work, they still need a fairly good download speed. (how does your Roku work if not for the cable?)

        I cut my phone line a few years ago, due to the lack of payphones. I used payphones on work errands, and when they finally went out from the last couple of stops, I picked up a $100 prepaid phone. Last year it cost me $56 (refill and tax). Mom is asking me questions about an OOMA (think that is the name), as she is one of the heads of their class reunion (afraid her cell phone bill might spike), and unfortunately she is not in the area that Google serves (very limited area, they made a much bigger hype).
        She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.

        Comment

        • woodturner
          Veteran Member
          • Jun 2008
          • 2047
          • Western Pennsylvania
          • General, Sears 21829, BT3100

          #5
          Originally posted by CocheseUGA
          Anyone do this, and what was your experience like? Was it worth the savings? Any kids or sportsheads that factored into the decision?
          I have been considering dropping the land line, but the 911 issue has stopped me from doing it so far.

          When you dial 911 from a land line, they know exactly where you are, and can find you even if you can't talk or communicate. With other methods of accessing 911, they get at best an approximate location - and if you have had a heart attack, stroke, severe injury, etc. the precious minutes lost trying to locate you could make the difference.

          In most areas, a land line with the most basic service costs $5 to $20. You will likely have to push hard with the telco to get them to admit to that rate, but they will. $5/month seems like cheap insurance to me.
          --------------------------------------------------
          Electrical Engineer by day, Woodworker by night

          Comment

          • atgcpaul
            Veteran Member
            • Aug 2003
            • 4055
            • Maryland
            • Grizzly 1023SLX

            #6
            Originally posted by LinuxRandal
            So you didn't cut the cable, just disconnected, the tv? (is your cable modem service cheaper without the tv or do you have basic service with the modem service?)
            I keep hearing people talking about cutting the cable and such, and the reality is for these devices to work, they still need a fairly good download speed. (how does your Roku work if not for the cable?)
            .
            Cable as in cable TV service. I never had premium channels like HBO. That's for rich people or when we stay at a hotel.

            TV is over the air or Roku.

            Right now I have internet over cable modem and a landline. Will be cutting the landline as soon as the security system is switched over.

            Modem + phone is cheaper without the TV service. I have no idea why phone service is so expensive. It's only for local/regional calls. I think it's upwards of $40/month and that's for the cheapest service. Years ago, I'd pay less than $20 and that had national calling.

            Comment

            • Cochese
              Veteran Member
              • Jun 2010
              • 1988

              #7
              Originally posted by woodturner
              I have been considering dropping the land line, but the 911 issue has stopped me from doing it so far.

              When you dial 911 from a land line, they know exactly where you are, and can find you even if you can't talk or communicate. With other methods of accessing 911, they get at best an approximate location - and if you have had a heart attack, stroke, severe injury, etc. the precious minutes lost trying to locate you could make the difference.

              In most areas, a land line with the most basic service costs $5 to $20. You will likely have to push hard with the telco to get them to admit to that rate, but they will. $5/month seems like cheap insurance to me.
              911 was a concern of ours as well, and AT&T won't budge as they consider our tier ($44 with tax) to be the lowest available option. I'll ask again when I go to cancel, but I've asked twice now and gotten nowhere. We'll be porting that number to a new cell phone line and keeping that device static. E911 Phase II is supposedly able to locate your location to between 50 and 300 meters. With three kids able to cite their address, I figure we should be okay. Now if they can have me keep a warm line for $5, great. Otherwise it's an expense we can do without.

              If you sign up for VOIP services, you register an address with them that would eliminate that uncertainty. I've been pushing for our 911 system to adopt cell registration as well.
              I have a little blog about my shop

              Comment

              • Cochese
                Veteran Member
                • Jun 2010
                • 1988

                #8
                Originally posted by LinuxRandal
                So you didn't cut the cable, just disconnected, the tv? (is your cable modem service cheaper without the tv or do you have basic service with the modem service?)
                I keep hearing people talking about cutting the cable and such, and the reality is for these devices to work, they still need a fairly good download speed. (how does your Roku work if not for the cable?)

                I cut my phone line a few years ago, due to the lack of payphones. I used payphones on work errands, and when they finally went out from the last couple of stops, I picked up a $100 prepaid phone. Last year it cost me $56 (refill and tax). Mom is asking me questions about an OOMA (think that is the name), as she is one of the heads of their class reunion (afraid her cell phone bill might spike), and unfortunately she is not in the area that Google serves (very limited area, they made a much bigger hype).
                I wouldn't be cutting my cable internet, as I work from home. However $111 a month for just TV is a bit too rich. I get local channels included in my internet bill, so I'd still get network TV, which is mostly what we watch on a timely basis anyway. I get 28/8 and I've been pretty happy with it. If only MLB would get rid of their asinine blackout rules, I would happily pay them for MLB.tv Premium. Otherwise I'll live with just listening to the radio.
                I have a little blog about my shop

                Comment

                • capncarl
                  Veteran Member
                  • Jan 2007
                  • 3564
                  • Leesburg Georgia USA
                  • SawStop CTS

                  #9
                  Some of the folks in our office have been using tv antennas rather than cable or satelite for years. They say they pick up dozens of stations with the digital antenna vrs the handfull of channels we grew up with using the old antenna systems, and are quite pleased with their tv coverage compared to my satelite's 110's of channels with nothing to watch. When the belt starts to tighten in my household the satelite is the first to be chopped, landline is second.

                  capncarl

                  Comment

                  • dkerfoot
                    Veteran Member
                    • Mar 2004
                    • 1094
                    • Holland, Michigan
                    • Craftsman 21829

                    #10
                    Just cut the phone line.

                    The ONLY reason we have not cancelled Cable is that my wife and I are both sports fans. As a dislocated Vikings fan, I tend to watch internet feeds of the games anyway since they only broadcast a few games a year here. But - cutting LOML off from her Spartans just ain't gonna happen.

                    Ridiculous price to pay for watching sports, but until Ala Cart becomes an option, it is what we are stuck with.
                    Doug Kerfoot
                    "Sacrificial fence? Aren't they all?"

                    Smaller, Smarter Hardware Keyloggers
                    "BT310" coupon code = 10% for forum members
                    KeyLlama.com

                    Comment

                    • BigguyZ
                      Veteran Member
                      • Jul 2006
                      • 1818
                      • Minneapolis, MN
                      • Craftsman, older type w/ cast iron top

                      #11
                      Cutting the phone line is a no-brainer to me. Everyone has their own personal cell these days, so there's no reason to have a separate phone line as well.

                      I've been working with my brother in re-building his house for the last 2 years. It was damaged by a tornado and gutted to the studs. I re-did all of the electrical, and did structural wiring for the cable and ethernet. I was going to run phone as well, but since I was running 2 Coax and 2 Cat 6 lines to each room, I figured I could use a Cat 6 as a phone run if absolutely necessary. But overall, we're not planning on having any phone lines connected to the house at all.

                      Cable is a different matter, however. I have DirecTV with a HD DVR, and I LOVE it. It's expensive ($135), and maybe I watch too much TV, but it's just so convenient and I don't want to mess with finding all of my shows online. And with all of the features it offers (cell app to set recording remotely from my phone), it's just awesome. I wish I could watch my DVR remotely from my tablet, but that's really the only thing I pine for.

                      To be fair, I should note that my cost is high because I have Showtime and a total of 5 boxes. So that adds up. BUT- I should ALSO note that those 5 boxes are located at two different properties. I have a duplex, and I provide free DTV to the apartments, and I have a single HD DVR for my home. So considering that, it's really a great deal.

                      I also have both netflix and Amazon Prime, and use those regularly to watch shows I've missed in the past- like Arrested Development, Doctor Who (just finished Season 6), and BBC's Sherlock (a great show). I have access to those on my projector via a PS3, and I actually match quite a bit on my tablet as well (no bedroom TV for me).

                      Comment

                      • woodturner
                        Veteran Member
                        • Jun 2008
                        • 2047
                        • Western Pennsylvania
                        • General, Sears 21829, BT3100

                        #12
                        Originally posted by capncarl
                        Some of the folks in our office have been using tv antennas rather than cable or satelite for years. They say they pick up dozens of stations with the digital antenna vrs the handfull of channels we grew up with using the old antenna systems, and are quite pleased with their tv coverage compared to my satelite's 110's of channels with nothing to watch.
                        I've never had cable, couldn't see the point in paying for what is available free. With the switch to HDTV, the number of channels has increased by a factor of 3 to 5. I get around 40 channels with a simple bowtie antenna, and that's plenty for me. With HDTV you don't get "snow" on a weak signal - you either get a good display or nothing at all, pretty much.
                        --------------------------------------------------
                        Electrical Engineer by day, Woodworker by night

                        Comment

                        • LinuxRandal
                          Veteran Member
                          • Feb 2005
                          • 4889
                          • Independence, MO, USA.
                          • bt3100

                          #13
                          Originally posted by woodturner
                          I have been considering dropping the land line, but the 911 issue has stopped me from doing it so far.

                          When you dial 911 from a land line, they know exactly where you are, and can find you even if you can't talk or communicate. With other methods of accessing 911, they get at best an approximate location - and if you have had a heart attack, stroke, severe injury, etc. the precious minutes lost trying to locate you could make the difference.

                          In most areas, a land line with the most basic service costs $5 to $20. You will likely have to push hard with the telco to get them to admit to that rate, but they will. $5/month seems like cheap insurance to me.
                          Modern cell phones, according to several law enforcement sources, broadcast their GPS location when a signal is sent.
                          As for the landline, they have what is called a "lifeline" service (which is really all I need for the amount of use the home phone gets), and it was around $7 before taxes, but it required you to meet income restrictions (federal poverty level). My old phone was the lowest they had at just around $16 when I first got it (think it was almost $20 when I canceled), but then you have taxes on that, and it was $34. So $34 x 12, or $100 initially and less then $60 a year after that (I don't text or use a smart phone, that is what the computer is for), the phone company drove me to save money.

                          Originally posted by atgcpaul
                          Cable as in cable TV service. I never had premium channels like HBO. That's for rich people or when we stay at a hotel.

                          TV is over the air or Roku.

                          Right now I have internet over cable modem and a landline. Will be cutting the landline as soon as the security system is switched over.

                          Modem + phone is cheaper without the TV service. I have no idea why phone service is so expensive. It's only for local/regional calls. I think it's upwards of $40/month and that's for the cheapest service. Years ago, I'd pay less than $20 and that had national calling.
                          I wish it was cheaper for just the internet. They provide "basic" tv and internet, here, and it is $1 cheaper then just internet access (just shy of $75 a month). I have thought about dropping to their slowest speed (something like an always available 56k modem) and it would be half that, but I just obtained a Roku for Christmas. I tend to watch what little tv I watch, via the internet (part of it isn't available in the country, otherwise) and have been wanting to try Netflix. If I didn't have the not available here, show, (Mrs Brown's boys), then it would be cheaper for me to cut the internet speed (download overnight if needed), wait until the season is over for my other show, and order its dvd, or Linux dvd's to be delivered.
                          My local cable company, went to encrypted cable (even basic) last year, possibly before being legal (they needed an exemption to do it and I don't know if they got it). Now they want to "provide you" with a box, which shortly, they get to start charging you for.
                          She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.

                          Comment

                          • greenacres2
                            Senior Member
                            • Dec 2011
                            • 633
                            • La Porte, IN
                            • Ryobi BT3000

                            #14
                            Theoretical versus real world cell phone service...
                            Our small Volunteer Fire Department covers 25.1 square miles with 2,509 residents. In 2012 we responded to 142 calls (not very many by any standard). From the E911 system, at least 5 or 6 of those (i don't have the records at my office) were for the correct address but in a different county (minimum distance off was 30+ miles. One that sticks in my mind was a shooting with multiple victims--had it really been ours it would have been about a mile from my house. At 2:30 am with the adrenaline rush of the pager and the nature of the call, it didn't register immediately that there were no houses within about 1/4 mile of the address given. As soon as it clicked i radioed that info back to dispatch and they began scrambling (in a different way).

                            I'm grateful it was not our call, but the 4 or 5 minute delay in locating the real location is not good. Every time i think about dumping our landline (and i'd love to!!) i think about that night.

                            earl

                            Comment

                            • JimD
                              Veteran Member
                              • Feb 2003
                              • 4187
                              • Lexington, SC.

                              #15
                              My situation is a little different. I do not pay for a cell phone, my employer provides a blackberry. I stay under all the data and voice limits of my plan (well under) and they do not complain about occasional use. So I want a land phone to have something I can use on an unlimited basis for personal use.

                              I have a package of unlimited local and long distance phone + mid-speed DSL + DISH satellite television for about $120/month. It is guaranteed not to increase in price as long as I stay with the same package. I added Netflix to it - 1 blu ray at a time + streaming. I pay less total than I used to for cable + phone + dsl.

                              When I retire, I will need to reconsider. I may drop land line since I will need to add a cell phone. I will look for a package that meets our needs at that time.

                              When I dropped cable they suddenly had lots of deals to talk about. I think it would pay to shop around and make a call before you switch. You may be able to just get a lower rate. If price is your only issue, this could be a better deal. I hated the annual price increases Time Warner does in this market so I didn't really care what 1 year deal they had.

                              Jim

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