There’s little debate that cable and satellite TV packages can cost a lot of money. So, when is cable or satellite TV worth dishing out the money for? Here are some thoughts...
The following post is by MPFJ staff writer, Laurie Blank. Laurie is a wife, mother to 4 and homesteader who blogs about personal finance, self-sufficiency and life in general over at The Frugal Farmer. Part witty, part introspective and part silly, her goal in blogging is to help others find their way to financial freedom and to a simpler, more peaceful life.
There’s little debate that cable and satellite TV packages can cost a lot of money.
According to this article from CostHelper Electronics, most standard cable packages cost between $50 and $60 per month. That means you could be paying as much as $720 per year – or more – for a basic cable or satellite package.
On the other hand, you could simply get the super basic cable. With that package, you’ll pay $10 to $20 a month to get local channels and public access channels. No fun stuff – just a better connection.
Yes, you might get a temporary lower price if your cable company is running a special, but that special will be short-lived.
Soon enough you’ll be back to paying your $50 to $60 a month again. So, when is cable or satellite TV worth dishing out the money for? Here are some thoughts.
When is it Worth it to Pay for Cable or Satellite
Some people don’t bat an eye at paying that kind of money for TV viewing each month. In fact, many people go with the premium packages and pay double that $50 to $60 per month price - $120 a month or more.
Personally, our family hasn’t had a cable package for nearly six years now. When we moved from the suburbs out to a small hobby farm, we ditched cable in favor of Netflix. And we haven’t looked back.
However, some people might really find it worth it to pay for a cable or satellite TV packages. Here are some examples.
If You’re a Huge Sports Fan
Some people just can’t live without their daily or weekly sports fix. And that’s okay. If you’re one of those guys (or girls) who just has to have access to daily or weekly professional sports games, go ahead and spend the money.
The money we earn is meant to bring value to our lives in whatever way we determine is best for ourselves and our families.
If You Watch a Lot of Television
If you watch a lot of TV, it might be worth it for you to have more and/or better channel selections. Yes, one could argue that hefty TV watchers turn off the tube and do something else. However, that’s not always an option.
Some people are housebound. Others have their own reasons for watching a lot of TV. I’m not here to judge. But if you are a heavy TV user, a cable or satellite package will give you more quality viewing choices.
Standard channels don’t offer much in the way of variety or quality a lot of the time. With a cable or satellite package, you can get cooking shows, travel shows, history shows, social science shows and more.
If you’re one of those people that watches a lot of TV – for whatever reason – it might be worth it to you to pay for higher quality viewing choices via a cable or satellite package.
Alternatives to Cable or Satellite
However, if you simply have a cable or satellite package because you always have, or because you need it for the reception, consider these cable TV alternatives.
Netflix or Other Streaming Options
Streaming companies such as Netflix or Sling TV can be a great (and cheaper) alternative to cable. You can get a standard Netflix package for about $10 a month, and you can get Sling for $25 a month and get access to a bunch of cable channels with that Sling package.
If you’re not terribly choosy about what you see on TV, a streaming plan could be a great choice for you.
The HD Antenna
HD antennas are another great alternative to cable or satellite. Antenna Web will show you how many more channels you can get access to if you install an indoor or outdoor antenna.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to get access to 50, 60 or more channels just by installing an antenna in your home or on your rooftop.
And while it does cost money to buy an antenna, at least it’s a one-time cost and not a recurring monthly fee.
Conclusions
The bottom line is this: Sometimes it’s just not worth it to pay for cable – and sometimes it is. It’s up to you to decide whether or not your cable or satellite package is worth the money to you.
We all have different opinions regarding what we buy and if it’s worth the expense. If you decide it’s worth the money you shell out each month for cable, then it’s an expense that’s worth keeping.
And if you decide it’s not worth it, know that there are alternatives.
***Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrufidog/2311103739/in/
