New to cord cutting? Well we can help! Here are 5 tips to help you get started in the world of cord cutting.
If you would rather read here are the tips we talked about in the video:
#1 Don’t Rush Into It
The number one mistake people make when they cut the cord is rushing into it. When you rush into cord cutting you add a lot of unneeded stress to the process.
Taking cord cutting slowly can help you avoid overpaying and make it less stressful. So long before you call to cancel your cable TV make sure to set up everything—from your antenna to streaming players. Test out different streaming services before canceling pay-TV.
This way when you cancel your pay-TV provider you are not rushing out to buy any antenna you can find in hopes of watching your favorite show tonight. A little preparation will ensure that when you cancel cable TV you are set for your life as a cord cutter.
#2 Only Subscribe When You Need That Service
Don’t worry about contracts. Unlike cable TV there are no year-long contracts. You can add or drop subscriptions whenever you want. If you only want a live TV service for sports only pay for it when your sport is on. Only want HBO for “Game of Thrones?” Only pay for HBO Now when “Game of Thrones” is on.
By only subscribing to services when you use them you can easily save $100s every year.
#3 Don’t Get Tricked Into Overpaying For Internet
Often when you downgrade to Internet only one of two things will happen. They will do their best to convince you to upgrade your Internet speed to a crazy high level. Or they will try to get you to bundle.
The truth is you really only need 25 Mbps down to get a good streaming experience. (But faster is nice.) So don’t be tricked into the idea that you need a faster speed to stream your content.
They will also try to get you to bundle your service with a phone or TV option. Remember: Don’t get tricked into promotional pricing. They will say anything over the phone but remember when you add services they add fees and often only tell you the promotional rate.
Here are some tips to finding the right internet speed for you.
#4 Shop Around For Internet
Sadly your cable company could care less that you have been with them for 10 years. They won’t give you the best deal out there. If you want a good deal you often need to shop around different service providers. I know many think of DSL as slow but for many the speeds of DSL will be the same or close to that of cable TV. Every few years I switch back and forth to make sure I get the best deal. They are always willing to welcome you back and will give you a deal you could never get if you stayed with them.
#5 This Is Not Your Grandpas Antenna TV
You may remember your grandparents had an antenna back in the day and may have had 3 or 4 stations. We have come a long way when it comes to over-the-air TV.
Now, on average, cord cutters get 30 channels including the big ones—ABC, CW, CBS, FOX, and NBC—along with a ton of other great channels 100% free! Wondering what you could get for free over the air? Check AntennaRecommendations.com to find out what you should pick up with an indoor or an outdoor antenna.
Do you have a cord cutting tip? Post it in the comments so everyone can learn about it.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more news, tips, and reviews.
Need cord cutting tech support? Join our new Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.