Could You Live Without Cable?
By Jessica
@missjessicadawn (3286)
United States
January 16, 2016 7:47pm CST
I chose to discontinue my cable services about six years ago. It had occurred to me how much money I was wasting every month when there were only a small handful of shows I actually enjoyed watching. I also realized how much time I wasted poisoning my mind with what we call "entertainment". I was a slave to it. It felt weird after I shut if off but I soon learned to really appreciate the fact that I did. I found myself reading more books, which I enjoy so much more. I have Netflix now but only use it to watch reruns of Doctor Who and Sherlock.
It's crazy to think about how much money I have saved these past six years. I'm very happy with my decision to shut off my cable services. To be honest, most of the shows on tv are terrible anyway.
How many of you are capable of surviving without cable? Ever given it a try?
22 people like this
29 responses
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
17 Jan 16
@whiteream You don't have to have TV to have internet with most suppliers.
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
17 Jan 16
@missjessicadawn I use the internet work work so I have to have it.
2 people like this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
17 Jan 16
Same here. I NEED the Internet :-)
2 people like this
@yukimori (10143)
• United States
17 Jan 16
We've never subscribed to cable, and we've never bothered with local channels, either. The closest we've come to TV service is Netflix and Amazon Prime.
The closest I've come is considering subscribing to cable internet services, but their monthly bandwidth caps have scared us off for the moment. With the amount of gaming my husband does, a 300 GB per month limit just won't cut it for us even if the service is more than 10 times faster than what we have now. 
2 people like this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
17 Jan 16
I've considered getting Amazon Prime. Is it worth it?
1 person likes this
@maezee (41997)
• United States
17 Jan 16
I havent had cable ever so for me its pretty easy. Regular Tv seems to gave some decent prime time stuff but I mainly enjoy reading. I know a lot of people who get their entertainment almost solely from tv, in which case it may be a worthwhile investment.
2 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
17 Jan 16
was thinking of that too cause the kids go non-stop cartoons. I only open it once in a while to watch History and CI channels and news. Yes i can live without cable but i have to consider the rest of the household.
2 people like this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
17 Jan 16
True. You wouldn't want anyone getting upset!
1 person likes this
@IvySaysHi (4467)
• United States
17 Jan 16
I'd like to say that I could because I only watch certain channels anyway. I do watch netflix as well which is much cheaper. Though I would miss some shows. Hulu would help with that though.
2 people like this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
17 Jan 16
I've never tried Hulu before. How is it different from Netflix? Does it show newly aired episodes or something?
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
17 Jan 16
Yes, no cable here since ever, lol! I use Netflix and Hulu. 
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36497)
• Toccoa, Georgia
17 Jan 16
We are surviving without Cable and the Satellite Dish. We had cable first then a satellite dish, when they got too expensive, we got rid of both. Now we have Roku where we get Amazon and Netflix and that is less expensive and we have lots of shows to choose from.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
20 Jan 16
There's nothing wrong with some good downtime! :-)
@BethieAnnie (818)
• Dayton, Ohio
17 Jan 16
I canceled cable about a year ago. I have the 20 or so channels that are free through the air. I did accidentally order amazon prime, so I have been catching up on TV. I will be canceling that soon though, lol.
1 person likes this
@T_gray (7774)
• Salina, Kansas
17 Jan 16
I went for about 7 years without cable at one time and was right fine with it. I just got it back last year for football because I was tired of going to the bar or to friend's houses to watch the games. I kinda enjoy having it now. But I was fine without it too.
2 people like this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
17 Jan 16
I don't have cable tv.
I just have a freeview box and the internet.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 16
@missjessicadawn just a box (or built into the tv) that gives you a load of free tv channels and radio stations.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
20 Jan 16
@Mike197602 Wow! That's pretty cool. I've never heard of it
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Jul 16
I am down to the second lowest cable package. Someday I and probably all of us will cut the cable. But there is still enough for me to watch to justify the expense.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
8 Jul 16
I have a little satellite thingy so I can pick up a news station if I feel like it's important for me to be updated on something, but I typically just wait and watch what I want on the Internet.
@zebra2222 (5269)
• United States
17 Jan 16
I have gone without cable for some time. I do have Netflix though.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
23 Jan 16
I could watch my shows on my computer but hubs would have a nervous break down I am sure
1 person likes this
@lokisdad (4226)
• United States
18 Jan 16
yup tried it and ill keep my crappy show selection netflix is the other only thing we have that is paid for as far as tv entertainment goes. No tv is not for me i like my tv no matter how crappy the service is you are right they charge insane prices for garbage entertainment but not having it would drive me out of my mind. I don't watch it much but its an option i enjoy having
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
17 Jan 16
I lived without it for years. All the time my kids were growing up we had one channel; CBC. Now I have a big expensive Satellite TV package as my husband can't live without it. I enjoy a lot of TV shows but it is money I would rather spend elsewhere.
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
17 Jan 16
I could live without it. I usually only watch movies anyway. I couldn't live without the internet though and I have a package deal.
1 person likes this
