Forget about alcohol, tobacco, Facebook or chocolate; cable TV is one of the most addicting entities around.
Just ask the kids who spend hours upon hours watching it. Then, ask the parents who use it as a babysitter.
These days it doesn’t take much to get moms and dads to admit that they’ve used cable to keep their kids occupied.
Got an important phone call to make, turn on Nick Jr.
Want to use the bathroom in peace, switch it to Cartoon Network.
Desperate for a few minutes of uninterrupted me time, Disney Channel to the rescue.
Cable is undoubtedly convenient, but it’s far from cheap.
It’s a lesson my family has learned the hard way.
Curse you, cable.
Like many kids, my daughter loves watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Imagination Movers and Doc McStuffins. However, at nearly 60 bucks a month, paying for the privilege of viewing the popular children’s shows was driving us to the poorhouse.
Alas, I was forced to make a decision that put us one step away from the crazy house–I pulled the plug on cable.
Try weaning a kid cold turkey from her favorite shows and you too may consider checking into a house with padded walls.
Despite the agonizing withdrawals, I don’t regret my decision.
Do the math and you may wonder how it is that you are able to afford your electronic babysitter.
Currently, a digital cable package from Comcast costs roughly $55 per year, and that’s just for basic service. The company’s high-end premium package–complete with on-demand channels–will set you back nearly $1,300 annually. That money could easily pay for a family vacation, a new television, or a decent amount of gas and groceries. What’s more, you’re likely to find much of the same programming via cheaper or even free options.
To save money, start by taking inventory of your favorite cable shows, and then see if you can watch them on the channel’s website. Most cable networks offer a selection of its programming online which you can access for free. Popular cable channels, such as Comedy Central, TLC, and MTV offer full episodes of most of their shows online. Meanwhile, TV sites, such as Hulu feature a slew of hit shows, movies and clips from 225 content providers, as well as movie studios like MGM and Lionsgate. Other free TV sites offering free cable content include Fancast, TV.com, Veoh and Joost.
Obviously, your kid is better off reading a book rather than watching cable TV shows. However, if you are in a financial bind and can no longer afford to line the pockets of rich cable execs, you might consider exploring the aforementioned free options while your kid is going through the first days of cable withdrawal.
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