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Do you still have cable TV? We don’t blame you. Having all your favorite channels in one place still has its appeal. But costs can be exorbitant, especially if you pay for more programming than you can watch.
There are ways to lower your bill — like trimming your package — for those not quite ready to sever the cord.
1. Downsize your plan
Do you have premium packages or channels you don’t use? Trimming your cable package to include just your must-haves could cut the TV portion of your bill in half — and you might not even miss the extra networks.
2. Ask about fees
Call your provider’s customer service line and question each fee on your bill. Some will be unavoidable, but maybe you can sidestep others, such as a $12 per month “regional sports fee,” by tweaking your plan.
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Getting rid of an add-on like HBO Max or Starz could shave $10 or more off your monthly bill with some providers.
4. Get rid of extra cable boxes
Additional cable boxes often cost $10 or more per month. Maybe the cable equipment in your bedroom isn’t necessary after all.
5. Drop DVR service
Miss your favorite show? There’s a good chance you can watch it on demand the next day. Even local news segments live on via the stations’ websites. Ditching your DVR service or reducing the number of hours you can record could trim $15 or more off your monthly bill.
6. Bundle cable and internet
Pairing your cable and internet service is often less expensive than paying for the two services separately. Look into these kinds of promotions offered by your current providers and their competitors.
Just don't get talked into adding services you don’t need, such as a premium cable package when you want only local networks or higher-speed internet service that you use mostly to watch Netflix.
7. Negotiate a lower rate
Don’t be afraid to haggle with your cable provider. You may be able to negotiate a better deal by talking to customer service and asking for a discount. Here's a script for exactly what to say when you call your provider.
8. Seek out cheap cable elsewhere
Compare the rates at each provider in your area. As long as you won’t face a sizable cancellation fee for switching from your current service, you could end up with a cheaper alternative.
9. Cut the cord
Still not satisfied with your cable bill? Ditch it and save more. The internet has made it easier to find free programming. Plus, you can still watch broadcast TV with the help of a digital antenna and binge your favorite series on Netflix or Hulu for a portion of the cost of cable.
Subscriptions for Netflix start at $7.99 per month, while a plan from Paramount+ that lets you stream your local CBS channel live is $12.99 per month.
You could also consider a live TV streaming service. Plans from live TV streamer Sling — that get you quite a few familiar channels — start at $45.99 per month. There’s also Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, which both offer a cable TV-like experience for just over $80 per month.
And here’s a hack for how to watch football: Cut the cord and subscribe to a service such as one of these for just the six months of the season, then cancel.
Satellite TV is another option. Compare costs and channel offerings to see if you can get a better value.
Whether you go bold or make small cuts, you’re bound to save money on your cable bill.
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