Canceling Direct TV!

I'm really not a TV fan...i watch it occasionally, if it's on. Mainly, I just don't have time or I'd rather be looking stuff up online. There have been a few shows i really enjoy - like 24, Lie to Me, The Mentalist, 18 Kids and Counting... (Jon and Kate used to be one of them, but no more..). I also like some craft shows, LOVE PBS, and like to have access to the local news. However, paying the bill for Direct TV every month (about $70) makes me clench my jaw. Especially when I watch my hubby and kids staring glassy-eyed at the TV. Our 3 year old is obsessed with Scooby-Doo. Our 2 year old is closer to operating the Remote than I am. I swear so much more would get done around here if the TV was not such a constant presence!

As I've spoken of before, our financial situation is relatively dismal on a consistent basis. We just never really get ahead, and often have trouble just staying afloat. Recently, it's been a little worse. This has led us to have some serious financial discussions about priorities. TODAY.....to my most dumbfounded, in awe, shocking, drop my mouth to the floor surprise....the hubby has agreed to stop Direct TV. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you may know, Matt is a sports addict, especially baseball and football. Apparently, he can still get all the baseball games through an annual subscription to MLB dot com....for the low, low price of $19.95 a YEAR! That is one year people!! and....that is for their premium package. Check it out here! Not sure about the football thing yet, but am looking.

I had to wonder if it was possible to connect the lap top to the TV via "a cord or something" (i'm soooo technical). A swagbucks search landed us a youtube video that provides step by step instruction for just that! See the video here! (checkout swagbucks via my widget on the side bar).

I was already aware of Hulu dot com - a website owned by NBC and Universal - which offers free TV shows to watch online. It also offers shows from other networks. I was a little surprised to learn from cancelcable.com - a great site i just happened upon - that sometimes shows are available directly from the cable channel or network site.

See this post for some examples.

We already have a netflix subscription for $8.99 a month and my kids enjoy using the laptop and watching some of the older movies available on their site. Apparently, you can also buy a "roku" box for around $100 that gives you access on your TV to Netflixs' content....for free.

There are still some details to iron out - where are we in the billing cycle, best time to cancel, etc. but I do think this is a step in the right direction! We have already given up our cell phones and are minimizing use of the AC.