Comments on: Guest Post: Living TV-Free Saves Us More Than $37.99 Each Month http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:09:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Vanessa http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-308369 Vanessa Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:44:13 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-308369 We like to catch all our favorite shows on Hulu, it's a week late, but just as effective for winding down after a long day. We like to catch all our favorite shows on Hulu, it’s a week late, but just as effective for winding down after a long day.

]]> By: Jennifer http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274719 Jennifer Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:14:48 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274719 My husband and I have been TV free since we married 10 years ago. At that time, neither one of us actually owned a television set and we couldn't afford to buy one (not to mention pay a monthly cable bill). Over time, we no longer missed it. These days, 99% of the stuff on t.v. is trash -- I'd rather pay for a Netflix subscription and cherry-pick films or shows to watch. My husband and I have been TV free since we married 10 years ago. At that time, neither one of us actually owned a television set and we couldn’t afford to buy one (not to mention pay a monthly cable bill). Over time, we no longer missed it. These days, 99% of the stuff on t.v. is trash — I’d rather pay for a Netflix subscription and cherry-pick films or shows to watch.

]]> By: Tara http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274718 Tara Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:28:46 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274718 We are TV free, but do enjoy watching DVDs! Not having cable/tv access is a great money saver, and I usually don't miss it. Nice Article! We are TV free, but do enjoy watching DVDs!

Not having cable/tv access is a great money saver, and I usually don’t miss it.

Nice Article!

]]> By: Sue http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274717 Sue Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:29:43 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274717 We're mostly TV-free too. When I was a student, I found that I wasn't getting my readings done because I'd always have the TV on. I grew up in a family with two working parents, so TV was the babysitter. I was so used to it that I had to have it on ALL THE TIME and I could never concentrate on anything! So one day, I just called our cable company and told them to cancel it. I knew I couldn't just keep it off myself. Well, it worked! My grades improved, I'm reading more, I'm enjoying life more because I'm concentrating on it. It makes such a difference! Not to mention that my relationship with my husband has improved so much because now we actually spend our evenings together instead of just synchronized TV-watching. We talk more, we both sit in the kitchen and make fancy dinners every night, it's great! I don't miss it, not one bit. Of course, it's an added bonus that we are saving all that money, too. I do have a lot of DVDs. I sometimes rent TV shows and, if I like them, I might buy a couple seasons for myself. So when I want to do the occasional splurge TV weekend, I do still have that option. We’re mostly TV-free too. When I was a student, I found that I wasn’t getting my readings done because I’d always have the TV on. I grew up in a family with two working parents, so TV was the babysitter. I was so used to it that I had to have it on ALL THE TIME and I could never concentrate on anything!

So one day, I just called our cable company and told them to cancel it. I knew I couldn’t just keep it off myself. Well, it worked! My grades improved, I’m reading more, I’m enjoying life more because I’m concentrating on it. It makes such a difference! Not to mention that my relationship with my husband has improved so much because now we actually spend our evenings together instead of just synchronized TV-watching. We talk more, we both sit in the kitchen and make fancy dinners every night, it’s great! I don’t miss it, not one bit. Of course, it’s an added bonus that we are saving all that money, too.

I do have a lot of DVDs. I sometimes rent TV shows and, if I like them, I might buy a couple seasons for myself. So when I want to do the occasional splurge TV weekend, I do still have that option.

]]> By: Jessica http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274716 Jessica Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:49:06 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274716 Totally TV free living for ten years or more (my son is 11) in a COMPLETELY TV crazed nation. People intive you over for a meal and it is consumed with the TV on!!!!!!!! Everything here is based on TV! Everybody told you our kids (now 4) would be social outcast and basically retarded because of lack of TV. It turns out they are way ahead of their classes BECAUSE they have not TV. They read with excellent skills, have fervid imagination and know a lot more than just what is on TV. People are always amazed to find they live a TV free life, but can't really say much negative about it as the kids are really well adjusted, sociable, and interesting! We never have enough time to do all we want NOW, I can't imagine if we had a TV to eat away at time on top of everything else! Totally TV free living for ten years or more (my son is 11) in a COMPLETELY TV crazed nation. People intive you over for a meal and it is consumed with the TV on!!!!!!!! Everything here is based on TV! Everybody told you our kids (now 4) would be social outcast and basically retarded because of lack of TV. It turns out they are way ahead of their classes BECAUSE they have not TV. They read with excellent skills, have fervid imagination and know a lot more than just what is on TV. People are always amazed to find they live a TV free life, but can’t really say much negative about it as the kids are really well adjusted, sociable, and interesting! We never have enough time to do all we want NOW, I can’t imagine if we had a TV to eat away at time on top of everything else!

]]> By: Jen http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274715 Jen Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:31:42 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274715 We just never found much that appealed to us on TV! Between the skin, materialism, cussing, violence and more... I am much more in tune with reality and a healthy mind without it! My husband and I don't watch any, our 4 year old "earns" a "productive, educational" show on PBS from time to time. I agree, the things I get done with out it... How does anyone have time anyway! The money saved - a major plus. We just never found much that appealed to us on TV! Between the skin, materialism, cussing, violence and more… I am much more in tune with reality and a healthy mind without it! My husband and I don’t watch any, our 4 year old “earns” a “productive, educational” show on PBS from time to time. I agree, the things I get done with out it… How does anyone have time anyway! The money saved – a major plus.

]]> By: Amy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274714 Amy Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:30:50 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274714 We tried television free and decided to do Netflix instead. I will admit it, it bombed in our house. We do love to watch television, but we forgo many other extras to have the television. I did decrease our plan during the warmer months though because we weren't watching it. I thought that was a great alternative for someone who does not want to cut their plan out entirely. I am so touched to see my site listed up here. Thank you so much, Rachel! You made my day! We tried television free and decided to do Netflix instead. I will admit it, it bombed in our house. We do love to watch television, but we forgo many other extras to have the television. I did decrease our plan during the warmer months though because we weren’t watching it. I thought that was a great alternative for someone who does not want to cut their plan out entirely.

I am so touched to see my site listed up here. Thank you so much, Rachel! You made my day!

]]> By: Anne http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274713 Anne Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:59:51 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274713 I am wondering if I am brave enough to give this a go?? What could happen if the tv went off? I am wondering if I am brave enough to give this a go??
What could happen if the tv went off?

]]> By: Left Right Out http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274712 Left Right Out Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:07:17 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274712 No TV here! I started without one while I was living on my own about six years ago, and when we got married we continued the tradition as an "experiment" -- now I don't know how we got anything done with one! If we have major quilting or knitting to do we listen to the radio or books on tape. I do have TV at work and some of my clients like it a lot (I work with the intellectually disabled). I've noticed, and I'm glad, that I have become a lot more sensitive to even just previews of shows. I'm now much more aware of how the crime shows such as the CSIs so often sexualize violence and death, and I don't think I'd be able to watch them now. I've personally found Phillipians 4:8 to really be playing out in my life since I've given up the telly. No TV here! I started without one while I was living on my own about six years ago, and when we got married we continued the tradition as an “experiment” — now I don’t know how we got anything done with one! If we have major quilting or knitting to do we listen to the radio or books on tape.

I do have TV at work and some of my clients like it a lot (I work with the intellectually disabled). I’ve noticed, and I’m glad, that I have become a lot more sensitive to even just previews of shows. I’m now much more aware of how the crime shows such as the CSIs so often sexualize violence and death, and I don’t think I’d be able to watch them now. I’ve personally found Phillipians 4:8 to really be playing out in my life since I’ve given up the telly.

]]> By: Kirsten http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274711 Kirsten Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:31:01 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274711 We go tv free for 6 months at a time (the maximum amount of time we can suspend our directv without having to pay the contract termination fee of $240--we have to keep doing this until the turned on time equals 18 months)and then have to have the tv on for 3 months at a time. Although this three month period of "TV on" has convienently occured durring the olympics, conventions, and debates we have also found that our children think they OWN the one tv during this time period. They are 8 years apart and don't watch the same shows so channel conflict errupts daily. I can't wait until Nov 12th when we are once again "TV Free" for another 6 months. The house becomes more peaceful, I get more done, I buy less, I'm less compelled to do major home improvement projects and more compelled to be content with what we have, we sit down to watch DVD's as a family. Unfortunately we have to do this cycle 4 more times! Arghh...I wish we had never signed up for this "deal." We go tv free for 6 months at a time (the maximum amount of time we can suspend our directv without having to pay the contract termination fee of $240–we have to keep doing this until the turned on time equals 18 months)and then have to have the tv on for 3 months at a time. Although this three month period of “TV on” has convienently occured durring the olympics, conventions, and debates we have also found that our children think they OWN the one tv during this time period. They are 8 years apart and don’t watch the same shows so channel conflict errupts daily. I can’t wait until Nov 12th when we are once again “TV Free” for another 6 months. The house becomes more peaceful, I get more done, I buy less, I’m less compelled to do major home improvement projects and more compelled to be content with what we have, we sit down to watch DVD’s as a family. Unfortunately we have to do this cycle 4 more times! Arghh…I wish we had never signed up for this “deal.”

]]> By: Katie http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274710 Katie Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:25:42 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274710 We have a television and we have very, very basic service (15 channels) for about $10 per month. This is a huge downgrade for us because we used to have Dish Network with a DVR and over 100 channels--when we were making twice as much money. Honestly, it hasn't made a huge difference for us. We didn't watch a lot of tv to begin with and the shows we did watch were on basic stations, which we have now. We do miss the DVR because we could always fast-forward commercials. If it were to all burn tomorrow, though, it would be an adjustment, but a small one. As with any modern technology, tv, in and of itself, is not evil...just the abuse and misuse of it. It is a means of grace for those that can afford it and choose to have it in their homes. Not having a television can also be a means of grace. It all depends on one's family situation, I guess. We have a television and we have very, very basic service (15 channels) for about $10 per month. This is a huge downgrade for us because we used to have Dish Network with a DVR and over 100 channels–when we were making twice as much money. Honestly, it hasn’t made a huge difference for us. We didn’t watch a lot of tv to begin with and the shows we did watch were on basic stations, which we have now. We do miss the DVR because we could always fast-forward commercials. If it were to all burn tomorrow, though, it would be an adjustment, but a small one. As with any modern technology, tv, in and of itself, is not evil…just the abuse and misuse of it. It is a means of grace for those that can afford it and choose to have it in their homes. Not having a television can also be a means of grace. It all depends on one’s family situation, I guess.

]]> By: chb http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274709 chb Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:53:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274709 I grew up in a TV addicted household, one in every room but the bathroom and, for most of my girlhood, my own room. I chose to marry someone who absolutely loves live sports, and this is the main reason we pay a bunch of money for cable. I recently convinced him that the TV should go in a "TV" room, not the living room. I really wish I could live in a house without a TV though (but this would mean a house without my husband!) Commercials make me mentally and even physically sick, though I enjoy watching Netflix and online documentaries, plus a few fluffy shows here and there. I grew up in a TV addicted household, one in every room but the bathroom and, for most of my girlhood, my own room. I chose to marry someone who absolutely loves live sports, and this is the main reason we pay a bunch of money for cable. I recently convinced him that the TV should go in a “TV” room, not the living room. I really wish I could live in a house without a TV though (but this would mean a house without my husband!) Commercials make me mentally and even physically sick, though I enjoy watching Netflix and online documentaries, plus a few fluffy shows here and there.

]]> By: Iva http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274708 Iva Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:18:27 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274708 We have two TVs and no cable. We can't even get local channels. We have found that there are free (and legal) ways to watch TV online...on our time. It saves us tons of time. We have two TVs and no cable. We can’t even get local channels. We have found that there are free (and legal) ways to watch TV online…on our time. It saves us tons of time.

]]> By: Sherah http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274707 Sherah Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:29:22 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274707 Just wanted to chime in that we're TV free and have been ever since we got married almost 11 years ago. My DH keeps saying that "someday" we're going to have to get it when the kids need it for school but.....I'm hoping to hold out. =) Just wanted to chime in that we’re TV free and have been ever since we got married almost 11 years ago. My DH keeps saying that “someday” we’re going to have to get it when the kids need it for school but…..I’m hoping to hold out. =)

]]> By: Jess http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274706 Jess Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:49:29 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274706 TV free here. It's way too expensive to have a bunch of channels that never have anything on anyway. And, I would be too tempted to just sit and do nothing when there are plenty of things to do. We do buy some tv series on dvd and watch those for tv time. Some of our favorites are Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons. :) TV free here. It’s way too expensive to have a bunch of channels that never have anything on anyway. And, I would be too tempted to just sit and do nothing when there are plenty of things to do.

We do buy some tv series on dvd and watch those for tv time. Some of our favorites are Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons. :)

]]> By: A http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274705 A Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:56:37 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274705 We have basic cable. We don't watch that much tv but I couldn't imagine not having it at all. I find it funny though that the writers big reason for not having tv was saving the $38/month yet she says she has internet and netflix. We have basic cable. We don’t watch that much tv but I couldn’t imagine not having it at all. I find it funny though that the writers big reason for not having tv was saving the $38/month yet she says she has internet and netflix.

]]> By: Martha Artyomenko http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274704 Martha Artyomenko Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:14:58 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274704 We do not have cable, however we do get a few local channels for free with an attenna. I enjoy staying caught up on the local news, international news and watch a couple things when I want to, but we can live without it. I like to know beforehand if it will freeze tonight so I can cover my tomatoes or the like! We do not have cable, however we do get a few local channels for free with an attenna. I enjoy staying caught up on the local news, international news and watch a couple things when I want to, but we can live without it. I like to know beforehand if it will freeze tonight so I can cover my tomatoes or the like!

]]> By: Margie http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274703 Margie Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:53:25 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274703 I am so envious of all youTV-less people! My husband is a TV junkie. The TV is on 24/7. He never turns one off. Many times, there are two on at once-with no one watching either of them. It drives me nuts! I have told him that if he dies before me, I am placing the remote control in his hand and burying it with him. He is a sports fanatic and cannot live without ESPN. He had to do without in the past when we lived in other areas, but since we got the dreaded DISH six years ago, there has been no turning back. We could even get very good free TV where we live now, but it's not going to happen. Oh, I watch a lot of TV too, but just because it's there. I could live without it altogether-especially to save that $65 per month! I am so envious of all youTV-less people! My husband is a TV junkie. The TV is on 24/7. He never turns one off. Many times, there are two on at once-with no one watching either of them. It drives me nuts! I have told him that if he dies before me, I am placing the remote control in his hand and burying it with him. He is a sports fanatic and cannot live without ESPN. He had to do without in the past when we lived in other areas, but since we got the dreaded DISH six years ago, there has been no turning back. We could even get very good free TV where we live now, but it’s not going to happen. Oh, I watch a lot of TV too, but just because it’s there. I could live without it altogether-especially to save that $65 per month!

]]> By: jen http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274702 jen Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:10:00 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274702 Technically we have it b/c it comes with the internet, but we never get to watch it. We only have it on when our 8 month old is asleep and since she sleeps on my lap more often than not, it almost never happens. She almost always wakes up as soon as it goes on--she can hear it! Technically we have it b/c it comes with the internet, but we never get to watch it. We only have it on when our 8 month old is asleep and since she sleeps on my lap more often than not, it almost never happens. She almost always wakes up as soon as it goes on–she can hear it!

]]> By: Joy of Frugal Living http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html/comment-page-2#comment-274701 Joy of Frugal Living Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:23:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/09/guest-post-cutt.html#comment-274701 We also just get a few channels with the antenna and seldom use it. We watch videos (mostly free ones from the library or ones we own). When I've been wiped out with pg or illness my mom has taped some HGTV for me, which I enjoy. But I love being able to zip through the commercials too. Most often, if we happen to end up watching TV someplace else, we are reminded of how good it is to not have it. (But before I get too proud of myself, I must admit I could and probably should cut back on internet time.) Jennifer We also just get a few channels with the antenna and seldom use it. We watch videos (mostly free ones from the library or ones we own). When I’ve been wiped out with pg or illness my mom has taped some HGTV for me, which I enjoy. But I love being able to zip through the commercials too.

Most often, if we happen to end up watching TV someplace else, we are reminded of how good it is to not have it.

(But before I get too proud of myself, I must admit I could and probably should cut back on internet time.)

Jennifer

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