Cut the Cord – Save on Cable, Internet, & Phone Bills
Is it time to cut the cord with your cable provider? Before you decide, consider how to save on cable, internet, and phone bills and possibly keep your services but pay less for them than you do now!
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One of the things people often complain about is how expensive their bills are, especially the cost of their TV and Internet. I’ve had the same large cable/telecommunications company for years, and I’m happy with their service but not their price. Previously, I had been covered under a promotional rate. Now, I’m not so lucky!
Fortunately, there are things you can do when this happens. Believe it or not, there are options so you may not need to cut the cord after all. Here’s what you need to do to save on cable, internet, and phone bills:
Figure Out What’s Included
The first step in figuring out how to save money on your TV, internet, and phone package is to find out what’s included in your current package. If you have a recent bill, you can pull it out. If not, log onto their website and see.
- Find out the Internet speed you’re paying for.
- Find out which package you have for TV channels.
- You can see which pay stations (HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, TMC, Starz, MGM+, etc.) you are paying for.
- Does your package include a home phone line? If so, check for unlimited long-distance and voice mail. Most people have a cellphone, so consider this: Do you need a separate home phone line?
Decide What You Don’t Need
Now that you know what’s included, see if you’re paying for things you don’t need to save on cable. In my case, I know we very rarely watch TMC The Movie Channel. I need my very high-speed Internet service because I use it for work. You may be paying for more than you need. Can you consider dropping to a lower Internet speed? You may not notice a big difference. Do you still need a home phone line? Many people who have cell phones opt to drop their home phone line. Just give it some thought.
Do Some Price Comparisons Before You Cut the Cord
It’s time to consider your options! Before making any phone calls, do some comparison shopping! Go onto your cable company’s website – see what promotional rates are offered to new and existing subscribers. Take some notes and understand what’s being offered by your current company. I also advise looking at other options before contacting your current company. Are there different companies you can use to get what you need? Look at other cable/internet/phone providers with service in your location. Consider looking into DirecTV or Dish Network for television service – they may also offer an Internet plan through a company they work with.
Are you considering streaming rather than paying for cable TV? There are options out there. Max has plans beginning at $9.99 a month, or you can bundle Max with Hulu and Disney+. Hulu offers plans with a free trial period from $7.99 monthly. To see the options, click Browse Shows & Movies and then scroll down. They even offer live TV. Another option would be to look into Amazon Prime Video. They also have a live TV option.
Call Your Cable Company – Start with the Customer Service or Billing Department – Let Them Know You May Cut the Cord
Now that you know what you’re paying for and the available options, it’s time to call your cable company. When you make the call, you’ll most likely begin with someone in the billing or customer service department. Explain your situation and tell them that you’re at the point that if you can’t lower your bill, you may need to make a change. Don’t be afraid to tell them you may cut the cord entirely! Trust me – they don’t want to hear that! The person you speak with may find a way to lower your price – I’ve done it several times before.
If Needed, Escalate the Call to the Retention Department to Save on Cable, Internet, and Phone Bills
If that person can’t help, they may suggest putting you through to someone in the retention department so they don’t lose you completely as a customer. From my experience, this group tends to have more options than the first person you speak with. Make sure you clearly explain what you see as your best options, including possibly completely switching to another company if they can’t help you. Share with them your discoveries about what you’re paying for that you may not need.
Have you decided you can be happy with fewer pay/movie channels than you currently have? Tell them! Do you need as many base channels as you have now, or are there only certain ones that matter to you? I like to have a list of the channels I watch the most so I can share it with them. Sometimes, they can suggest a lower package that may still include what you watch the most. Make it clear that you are considering switching to another company if they cannot lower your bill. Chances are, they’ll find a way!
Here’s an Example – I Didn’t Need to Cut the Cord!
I was paying well over $300 a month (ouch!) for a package that included three main pieces: TV, Internet, and home phone. I have cable TV, including 260+ channels on three televisions. My package included HBO, Showtime, TMC, Starz, Epix, Hitz, a sports package, and home DVR service. Next was the Internet portion. Like I said, I knew I needed fast Internet for what I do. Lastly was my home phone line with unlimited local & long-distance calling plus voicemail.
It took me about an hour. But I was able to reduce my bill by $60 a month. I dropped two pay stations I don’t watch (TMC & Starz). Due to a current promotion, I added Cinemax. I kept all other channels, my Internet speed remained the same, and I kept my home phone line. They understood that I was ready to “jump ship” or cut the cord if no acceptable solution could be found. I made it clear I was willing to switch to DirecTV with AT&T for internet to save money, so they did what they needed to do to keep me as a customer.
Conclusion
Sometimes, cutting the cord becomes inevitable if your current provider won’t work with you to get you to a price you can accept. It’s good to know your options in case that happens. Before making calls, look at what you have and decide if you’re paying for things you don’t need. Do some comparative shopping and see what other options you may have. Try to negotiate with your current company to see if they can help. If not, it may be time to consider other options. Good luck in your quest to lower your costs!
Here are other ways to save:
- Lower My Electric Bill – 30 Energy Saving Tips to Save on Electric
- How to Save Money on the Water Bill: Lower Costs in 2024
- Cut the Cord: Save on Cable, Internet, & Phone Bills
- How Much Can I Afford in Rent
- How to Afford a Vacation – Simple Strategies
If you’re considering selling your home and want to spend less, take a look at FSBO Made Simple – For Sale By Owner Tips for Beginners.
