How to Shrink Your Cable Bill ... And Keep All Your Channels

We live on the outskirts of town where cable is not offered, but are able to use satellite. There are two companies well advertised and probably compete with the cable companies. Tired of watching commercials and paying out extra money every month I cancelled the service and now subscribe to huluplus and Netflix which stream directly to our computer and Xbox. We pay for one service, $8.99 and share them with a friend who pays for the other at $8.99 month, (different households even). Most networks air their programs on their websites, your computer or laptop can be hooked up right to your television, as well as game consoles that are capable of streaming. We are able to watch the same movies offered by HBO, Starz and Showtime for 1/4 of the cost!

I get what y'all are saying, but wouldn't it be great if cable companies ran their businesses so we didn't have to play these games? Other utilities don't make us call to get the lower rate we're entitled to. Grrr. Maybe when pigs fly?

I have done that in the past with another company than Momfast ; ) Thanks for the reminder - I'll have to try them and see what deals they can work for me.

I have found that sometimes a phone call can work wonders. I have managed by just calling and asking, to have service charges dropped from credit card bills, etc. There are a lot of companies that if you ask, will be willing to make a deal. They want to keep your business.

i've done it! i got my cable bill reduced by $20 a month (rhymes with "mime horner") by adding LA's special package for spanish speakers. got all my same channels plus about 30 others en espanol just for getting the package... never watched the spanish stations, but appreciated the cheaper travel channel ;-)

Our cable service usually won't make much of a deal so we switch between the two available services every year or every other year. It's kind of a pain, but we always get the "new customer" deal.

That's a pretty great tip actually, when I signed up cable to my new home they threw it ALL at me, the lady seriously had like 5-6 offers, and she kept searching for more! I totally agree that it is worth a phone call every six months. I am pretty terrible at watching premium chanels when I have them, but if they are free, why not!

Bundling is a great way to save a few bucks. Also, when you upgrade, usually there's a promotional freebie thrown in. When we got a DVR, they gave us free Showtime for a few months - just in time to watch the last season of The Tudors.I canceled as soon as the show was over.

I have a bundle package so I always wheel and deal especially when something goes array like the internet service...

Go you! That's awesome!