Here’s the bottom line: a lot of people are paying a lot of money for the cable/internet/TV package when they could be saving a lot more.
This typically happens when you sign up for a big package deal or discount rate for services that you think you might use (or actually intend to), but after a few months, you stop using those services. Your bill doesn’t change though – it’s the same lump sum every month.
This is a common business tactic used by a variety of internet and cable providers, and they’ve made a fortune from uninformed homeowners. If you’ve stopped using cable/internet services, you shouldn’t be paying for them. Typically, these services might include:
- Heavy gaming and video game streaming
- Video and movie streaming (Netflix, Pay-Per-View)
- Sports stations (NBA, NFL, other seasonal sports)
Once the season is over or the fad is done, you’re left paying upwards of twice the internet and cable you actually use. Here’s how to stop spending an exorbitant amount of money on services you don’t use, and start using that money for something better.
1. Identify What You’re Paying For, and Determine if You Use It
Video games and movie streaming typically cost a lot in internet and cable fees, and if you’re using them, then great. But if you’ve canceled your Netflix subscription or broke your Xbox, it might be time to reevaluate your cable plan.
What are you paying for? Most plans have “unlimited” data usage, which is great, but the cost might be too much for those who aren’t using it enough. Identify those costs, and determine if they can go or not.
2. Look At Competitor Rates
Bigger companies like Cox and AT&T have the luxury of charging customers less, and many homeowners have found the right fit. There are usually deals going around; hurry and grab the sign up promo from AT&T before it runs out! AT&T is one of the better choices for cable and internet, especially if you stream a lot of videos. However, there are other options as well – that’s the trick, finding the right plan.
One small tip: pick a flexible plan, if possible. You want to have a plan that you can cancel when you want, instead of waiting for 9 more months to pass before you can change anything.
3. Plan For the Future With Your Hobbies in Mind
You’ll probably need to know about what you’ll be using your internet and cable for before you make the purchase. Don’t get bullied into buying the deluxe premium NBA package if you never watch any games, or the ultra discount gaming package if you only grab a controller a couple of days of the month.
Plan for the future when you buy – break the cycle of paying too much for services you don’t need or want. However, if you’ve found yourself with a few new gadgets from the holiday season, you should probably take those into account too.
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