My spouse and I recently welcomed our first child. His playful banter about how “our little one might force us to subscribe to cable TV” stopped me in my tracks. The prospect of adding an extra expense, between $50-75 monthly, for our child’s entertainment seemed ludicrous.
During the past year, as I’ve advocated for economical living and ditching cable, many parents have countered by insisting that cable is indispensable due to their kids’ demands. Let’s reevaluate this belief. I assure you, children do not necessarily require cable. I’m speaking from experience; I was one of those kids who was hooked to the television. My activities were timed around cartoon broadcasts daily, homework was an TV-side affair, even the church was missed for my must-watch TV show. And my summers? Mostly spent glued to the TV. I recall visiting a house that didn’t have cable and thinking of them as terribly deprived, but now I’ve become that cable-free household.
Leaping forward a few years, I now proudly live cable-free. It’s enjoyable, and I believe others would likely find it satisfying too if they dared to try. Concerning your kids, they’ll adjust just fine without cable, and it might astound you just how little they’ll miss it.
HERE ARE FOUR TIPS TO REDUCE COSTS BY LETTING GO OF CABLE – KIDS INCLUDED:
1. Create a ‘family fun fund.’ Start a family fund with the savings from cutting the cable and place it in clear sight for well-demonstrated financial education. Just assume you save $50 monthly on the cable you now don’t have; this contributes to a substantial $600 annually. Spend this money on family experiences and memory-making events. It’s worth more to your kids than sitting in front of a TV.
2. Subscribe to Online Streaming Services like Hulu or Netflix. Both of these offer numerous shows for a nominal subscription price of about $8 monthly, streamable via an Xbox console. It provides ample entertainment for your child, with fewer commercials equating to a smaller holiday wishlist!
3. Rent DVDs from Your Local Library. A time-honored budget-friendly tip that remains relevant, especially as library DVD collections are growing. Look for your child’s favored TV shows or movies.
4. Encourage your children to entertain themselves. Assisting kids in seeking joy in play or artistic endeavors is far more valuable. Audiobooks can also serve as interesting alternatives for storytelling and imagination stimulation.
THE CABLE CONUNDRUM: TO KEEP OR DITCH?
In summary, society places immense weight on cable TV. If you’re retaining cable solely for your children, consider the impact. Are they too reliant on it? Is it impacting their academic performance? Are their favorite shows readily available on Netflix or Hulu? Could your family enjoy quality time instead of TV time? Answering these questions can help you decide whether to continue or cut the cable cord.
