Life Without Cable: How Cutting The Cord Is About More Than Just Saving Money

When the concept of cutting the cord came forward, its only USP was saving aside some big bucks. People looked at it as a means to save money since cable has been increasing prices since I can remember. And, while we all were dependent on it for our entertainment needs, the internet came forth to set us free. In the early 2000s, DVDs tried saving us from the unjust price hikes of cable but since the inclusion of streaming, things have changed for the better.

Today, one does not require cable channels to satiate the longing for entertainment as there are a lot of options available on the internet. You can watch movies, TV shows, news, sports, documentaries, and anything else you might be fond of, generally. Moreover, if you are not in the mood to spend any money to stream, you can simply go over to free online streaming platforms. To stream all day long, all you need is a good internet connection with at least 25 Mbps of download speed per device. If you live in a large household, I recommend you get yourself acquainted with Spectrum promotions, for you can find internet plans offering up to 200 Mbps at a reasonable price through it.

I have been free of the cord since the early days of 2014 and I cannot express how good life has been without cable. Not just because of the money I am saving every year, but on account of the fact that my quality of life has also increased. Before canceling my cable, little did I know that it was affecting all the aspects of my life. However, I am glad the I have grown out of it and am writing this article to share my thoughts about the matter: life without cable is better and not just because of saving money.

1. I feel more at peace

Without realizing it, cable television brings chaos to our lives. How so? I remember watching the prime-time news broadcast, not because of any particular reason but just to acknowledge it being aired. And, trust me, more often than not I used to be depressed going to bed. The ‘breaking news’ hype is created to entice the audiences and journalism in the modern world does not really care about how it affects people, all it cares about is the TRP and so frankly, we do not need to feed ourselves with the sensational and horrific news every day.

As a continued student of marketing and advertisement, I can assure you that even the background music and light settings on the news shows are crafted to create tension and drama. So, yes taking it out of my life has been peaceful. Now, I watch the news on my terms and am still informed about all the world happenings through my NYTimes annual subscription (which by the way is a lot cheaper than cable).

2. Exposure to minimum commercials

Let’s be honest – nobody likes it when commercial breaks interrupt the momentum of movies and TV shows.

When I watched Braveheart for the first time, I remember how a tennis racket commercial botched the entire last scene. I mean, here William Wallace is longing to shout ‘Freedom,’ and there the cable channel thought of placing a commercial about a boy playing weird tennis because of the wrong racket. If any such thing has never happened to you, consider yourself as the chosen one, my friend.

After getting over the whole cable hullabaloo, I stream content when I want to and do not suffer from the countless commercial interruptions. In a way, I am writing my fate. Too much? Okay. But still, it feels a lot better to be in control of what you watch.

3. TV is not used as a background aid

I cannot comment about you but I had used TV as a background aid all my life. While studying, talking to a friend, making a presentation, cooking a meal, or even sleeping sometimes, TV just used to be a mood buffer. While it may seem harmless, it sure did put some strain on my electricity bill.

Now that I do not have cable, there is no point in turning on the TV without actually watching it. In terms of health, bodily and financial, it has been a great choice.

4. It has given me time to read

Since 2014, I have read almost seventy books which I know is not a lot for book-nerds but God is my witness, it is 100 percent more than what I used to read before. When cable used to roam my hallways, I would lean over it whenever I felt bored or did not have much to do or just because it was there. However, after canceling it, I have been more productive and am using my pastime in a much better way. Sometimes it is crafting and other times it is baking, but most times it is reading books. I feel like I have found a great dimension of catharsis and learning through books and I owe all of it to cord-cutting.

5. Mobile entertainment

Whenever I feel the need for some entertainment, I have the option to watch my favorite shows and movies, even on the go. The great thing about the internet is that it does not make you wait. All you need is a display device and a safe connection to stream anything you want from anywhere. So, that is what I do: while commuting to my workplace, I have the time to watch two episodes of The Office, and let me tell you, that is the best part of the commute.

6. I am happy

All in all, I am much happier saving my freedom, my interests, and my money!