cable tv remote controller

I'd be a liar liar pants on fire if I said that I was calm, cool, and collected about cancelling my cable service: In fact, I was a nervous wreck thinking about how in the world I would fill up those long, empty hours that I had previously spent watching so much cable TV. But only thing that was more likely to give me a panic attack than the thought of having to live without cable was my $180 monthly cable bill (thanks Time Warner!). And so I had no choice but to tell it goodbye.

Now, four months later, I can honestly say that not only have I miraculously survived without cable, but it actually is one of the best life decisions I've ever made. Are you thinking about cutting the cord? You can do it, too! Here's how to make it work:

Even though I quit cable, I kept my high-speed Internet connection (which means Time Warner still gets $55 a month from me, but, hey, it's a lot less than $180). But that also means I can still watch pretty much any TV show I want online. Many of the cable networks offer full episodes online, and thank god, too, because otherwise where would I be without my Jersey Shore?

I also subscribed to Hulu ($7.99 a month) for a while, but eventually switched over to Netflix (also $7.99) because I liked their selection of TV shows and movies better. Any movie I can't get from Netflix, I get at the Blockbuster Express kiosk on the corner (it feels so vintage!).

And the one important thing I learned from this whole experience? Local TV is pretty awesome -- and I'm not just talking about Downton Abbey. Some times I'll randomly tune into shows I never would have watched simply because I don't have any other option (which explains how I became a fan of Happy Endings). I thought not having my DVR or On Demand would be a painful experience, but actually most networks -- even cable networks -- have pretty much every episode either online or through their apps. (Although, CBS, can you please bring back the full episodes of Two Broke Girls? Really, it's cruel that you took them away.)

Sure, there are some things I desperately miss that only cable can provide -- like Real Housewives marathons on Saturday afternoons. (And it's not exactly ideal for my sports-loving boyfriend.) But I can't exactly say my life is worse for having to find some other ways to fill up my time.

Have you thought about ditching cable?

 

Image via Robert S. Donovan/Flickr