Keeping our Internet/TV costs under control

[peabody58]

Am I a MM Badass...  no not really, but every little bit helps.

Been FIRE since 2015 and I think we have finally found our optimal Internet/TV configuration after numerous changes.

Started our switch to Streaming a couple years ago.  Internet/Cable TV was getting close to $300/mt, which I didn't think I was getting a good enough value for.  Got rid of AT&T UVerse 300 and went with YTTV for a year.  Also tested the waters with Disney+ and Starz (for wife's Outlander).  Well with YTTV raising it's prices again, I went about finding a way to lower costs while improving our viewing experience.  Here is what I did earlier this year

1.  Had a professional install an HDTV OTA Antenna (Channel Master 8) in my garage loft space, thus protected from weather.  Wow, now get 60+ channels 30 miles south of Atlanta in a low spot.  ROI about 2 years.  Should have done this 8 years ago!

2.  After an extensive spreadsheet channel/cost evaluation, ditched YTTV and went with Sling Blue.  Added an AirTV2 device to our modem to have all our OTA channels seamlessly integrate into our Sling on-line Guide.  This works anywhere and is really nice to only have to use one remote.  Can also watch the OTA channels via coax split in the event of an internet outage.  Used this flexibility a few times already.

3.  Cancelled Disney+.  Just not worth it for us.  Will cancel Starz once Outlander is done.

4.  With our Roku, we are watching a lot of Roku content, as well as YouTube content.  Love going down the rabbit hole with YouTube.  Watch someone mow a yard for 30 minutes ...  heck yeah!!  Also so much content on Sling.  Love the Alf channel.

5.  AT&T 1000g Fiber Internet is now locked in at $70/mt (so they say).  Get free Max with our Internet Package which we watch a lot also.  The change from HBOMax to Max was an awesome improvement in content. 

6.  Get almost free Netflix with our T-Mobile cell phone plan.

So we went from ~$300/mt to $122/mt and now have more content, better viewing experience and the wife unit is happy.  Internet/Wi-Fi access is the biggest cost, but in today's high-tech world it is a necessity.  How else can I scare the dog by remotely starting the Roomba from miles away?

Hope this helps anyone else going through the same struggles.

[Just Joe]

Good summary. If our part of the world ever gets a second ISP choice, we'll switch in a hurry. Our DSL works okay most of the time. Fiber is coming I'm told. Not looking forward to changing all those email addresses on our accounts though.

We're streaming too. Nice to be able to switch subscriptions on and off at will. No OTA TV here. Too far from the nearest metro area.

[EchoStache]

$122/month is undoubtedly better than average.  Congrats on paying attention which seems to be half the battle.

We have the mindset that watching less TV is a good thing.  We pay $60 for internet, $15 for Netflix, and $1 for Hulu.  I have access to a friends HBOmax but can't remember the last time I watched something on it.  So we are all in at $76/month.  I'm ok with this level of spend for what we get.

[HenryDavid]

Is there stuff on TV that’s worth the money? If so, is there time in one’s life to watch it?
We have internet, which includes our phone and obviously email etc. We stream stuff using a VPN where needed. And we still have Netflix but should bail on that because we rarely use it.
The end.
Costs about $60 Canadian a month, or $720 a year. Seems a lot but we need the communication ability. We still get movie DVDs from the library sometimes. And sign up for free trials, in winter when we’re indoors more, watch some shows, then cancel.
It’s fun to see a movie or a sports event sometimes but there’s usually too much else to do!

[daverobev]

Fibre internet price just went up to €13.50 (which includes calls to lots of places).

Mobile phone is €1.90.

Yay, France.

[sonofsven]

I have cheap (?) dsl internet at $49/mo. I have free Netflix that I rarely watch, but my partner watches it when she's here.
I have a rooftop antenna that I installed for local channels that I rarely watch.
I mostly watch YouTube (the free version) on my Chromebook. My tv I use to watch my NFL team in the fall and occasionally PBS shows, but mainly I use it for listening to the radio using the built in "tune in" app (smart tv).
The two stations I listen to the most are my local community radio station (of which I am a proud supporting member) and a music station from Denmark (P6 The Beat). Neither have commercials.

[slick828]

We usually cancel our internet for a month.  Usually all the providers seem to know this and send introductory offers (including the provider we just cancelled with) and mail/email teaser rates for one year.  We currently pay $49.99/month which is not that great but here in HI most people spend $60+ and much higher for internet.  Regarding TV, we buy a year of HBO at a time for ~$150.  During the month with no internet, we mostly lean on phone data (Mint) and if need be the library.

[evme]

OTA antenna is FREE and is good enough for some sports, PBS, and Movies! TV Network (which has similar programing to TCM but with commercials).

We subscribe to only 1 or 2 streaming services at a time, and rotate between Amazon, Max, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+, etc. I keep a list of shows I want to watch on each streaming service and when the list reaches 3 or more shows I'm interested in then it's time to do a one or two month subscription that service and then cancel**. No reason to keep several streaming services active at the same time as we found we only only use 1 or 2 at once.

**Btw, when you go to cancel, almost all the streaming services (except maybe Netflix and Disney+) are so desperate to keep customers that they will often offer you a 50% rate reduction or a free month or more to prevent you from cancelling. It often pays to try to cancel.

[Zikoris]

I really recommend just moving away from television watching altogether. I've known a lot of people over the years who have had it and then quit, and every single one of them said cutting it out improved their life substantially. You become a lot more productive and also develop real hobbies.

[cantgrowone]

AT&T 1000g Fiber Internet is now locked in at $70/mt (so they say).

After 2 years our bill went up to $90/month after taxes & equipment fees. I called and got our internet down to 300 Mb/s for $60. I imagine I'll have to make another call in 2 years.

I really recommend just moving away from television watching altogether. I've known a lot of people over the years who have had it and then quit, and every single one of them said cutting it out improved their life substantially. You become a lot more productive and also develop real hobbies.

Years ago I almost got rid of the TV in my living room. Today I turn on the TV and see nothing of real value or interest in watching. I do need to develop real hobbies, so I might have to lean into this no TV thing.

[CurledMoss]

Shoulda done this 5 years ago. Better late than never.

[Riker626]

This is something I have worked to keep under control for several years now.  I believe most people have a lot of monthly subscriptions that eat away their income but they don't understand how much damage it's doing.

Used to have Cox for everything, got tired of them constantly raising and modifying my subscription.  Dropped TV and only get internet from them for 50/month.
Found Sling Blue to get the channels I like for 40/month.
Also have Netflix 16.84/month
Have Amazon, yearly comes out to 12.59/month (not sure this should count as I would likely have it for shipping even without TV)
Total 119.43/month

Have also heard about AmazonFree but not looked into it.
I like the idea of doing the subscriptions 1 at a time and then dropping for a different serves.
There is also Jarvis for thoes willing to try it.
For getting rid of TV, I dropped paid TV for a while, just had OTA, and almost completely stopped watching TV, felt better, even after getting new TV service I am still limiting the TV I watch, it doesn't feel the same.  Having nothing but bad news on TV is also helping.

[tj]

I don't think it's fair to say that TV is "not a real hobby". What makes it less of a hobby, than other consumption of materials such as watching youtube, reading a book, or reading a blog?

[NotJen]

Have also heard about AmazonFree but not looked into it.

You can watch some shows on Amazon for free, with commercials.  I have a Roku with the Amazon Prime app installed, but I don't have Amazon Prime.  It lets me watch whatever is designated as free.  I figured this out when I was researching which streaming service had a show I wanted to rewatch, and it turns out it's on Prime for free!  I hate commercials, but hate Prime more, so it hasn't been hard to sit through them.

Paramount+ keeps putting out free month codes, so I haven't paid for that, either.

Also a reminder to check your local library!  They have tons of TV series you can check out.

When I moved to my new apartment after my summer seasonal job ended a few weeks ago, I assumed I would pay for one streaming service at a time, and just rotate through them to watch the shows I wanted to watch.  But after wandering through my library after attending a bookclub meeting, I was reminded that they have DVDs!   Duh!  I might still end up subscribing to a service eventually to watch a hot new show, but it doesn't need to be a constant expense for me.

You become a lot more productive and also develop real hobbies.

Meh.  I watch TV while doing some of my "real" hobbies (like cooking and knitting).  But I do agree that it can be a time suck, and really enjoy my TV-free summers (but those are also cooking- and knitting-free summers).

I'm currently unintentionally plowing through seasons of shows because I'm in a charity knitting group, and just got some new donated yarn to work with, so I'm really addicted to knitting at the moment.

[Kwill]

You reminded me to cancel an annual subscription that would have renewed in January. Thank you! Last year I didn't mean to renew but forgot.

I have WiFi via my apartment building for $50 per month, and I subscribe to VikiPass Standard for about $60 per year. The subscription I just cancelled was Memrise, which I was using intensively for language learning from 2018 to maybe 2021 but haven't used much recently. I think it runs about $45 to $90 for a year, depending on the deal, but I can't get into the account to see at the moment.

So... about $55 a month for me right now. I try to limit myself to TV shows in Japanese and Korean for language practice, and Viki is better than Netflix for that because I'm not tempted by shows in English. I watch YouTube or videos on news websites now and then but not often enough to justify paying to eliminate ads. I don't have a TV or a DVD player.

[Zikoris]

I don't think it's fair to say that TV is "not a real hobby". What makes it less of a hobby, than other consumption of materials such as watching youtube, reading a book, or reading a blog?

The passive nature of it is key. Reading is extremely mentally active as in addition to learning from it, you're creating whole worlds in your head. Unless you're doing some sort of in-depth analysis, like some movie-buffs do, or watching documentaries, watching television is just sitting there like a blob doing nothing. I would definitely roll my eyes at anyone who said their hobby was watching Youtube as well, so I agree with you that television and Youtube are the same degree of "hobby". Blogs could go either way depending on the quality and content, but even then I think most people would say their hobby was whatever the blog content was (say, cooking) versus the blog-reading itself.

[fireready]

Glad it's what makes your family happy and works for you but man that is still a lot of money per month.  We have internet for $40 per month for it says to 100 gig but we rarely see that (or need that). I would gladly pay half that for half the speed but this is the cheapest option in our area. 
No paid streaming services, no cable, just an antenna on our roof.
We enjoy watching a few shows at night but they must be free on Roku or on the TV.  Pluto is a great free app with lots of content.

[Just Joe]

the holidays with extended family who watch alot of live TV (with commercials naturally) always inoculates us against having live TV at our house.

We watch more TV in the winter, and less during the nicer weather months when we are more active. There are many videos discussing advanced topics interesting to me that I enjoy watching.

https://youtu.be/QEtIexjl6ao

Because I'm interested in foundry topics and antique machines.

[Zikoris]

the holidays with extended family who watch alot of live TV (with commercials naturally) always inoculates us against having live TV at our house.

I have the same experience, spending time with family and friends who watch television is quite something. I found baking to be pretty therapeutic last time, and will do that in the future - TV comes on and I wander away into the kitchen. Even better if I have to go forage ingredients first from outside.

[Just Joe]

Definitely - so many possible activities instead of live TV with frequent commercials. I watch a fair bit of TV at the end of the day but don't want that to be my primary activity.

We're fortunate (unfortunate?) to live far enough from any metro area that we can't watch OTA TV and we don't want to pay for cable or sat. So, we stream.

[hdatontodo]

My Verizon FIOS IS 49.99/mo total. I bought their router outright, so no monthly fee for one.

We have Roku and a flat OTA antenna on each TV.

I have Amazon Prime and Disney+. My g/f has Netflix.

Seasonally, I get Sling for MNF,  but ABC started carrying the game, so I dropped Sling for football.

Side note: my g/f has T-Mobile wireless internet for about $50/mo.

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

[Just Joe]

the holidays with extended family who watch alot of live TV (with commercials naturally) always inoculates us against having live TV at our house.

I have the same experience, spending time with family and friends who watch television is quite something. I found baking to be pretty therapeutic last time, and will do that in the future - TV comes on and I wander away into the kitchen. Even better if I have to go forage ingredients first from outside.

DW loves baking shows and so I started watching with her. Now I really like the baking shows too. I'm not paying enough attention to become a baker but its a relaxing way to spend time recuperating together at the end of the day during the cold/dark season. We definitely prefer the British baking shows. Not as much contest and drama. 

[WayDownSouth]

I really recommend just moving away from television watching altogether. I've known a lot of people over the years who have had it and then quit, and every single one of them said cutting it out improved their life substantially. You become a lot more productive and also develop real hobbies.

This. If you're not addicted to it, stop paying for non-stop advertisements. Youtube premium will give you plenty of add-free content and you can watch/listen to almost anything you want. You can also rent movies through YouTube.

[slackmax]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.
 

[uniwelder]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

I'm on your other thread about ACP income, but thought I'd post here as well.  I'll update on the other well also.

I just put my application through for the $30/month ACP subsidy.  I only included the first page of my 1040 tax return form.  I received an automated email response in about 10 minutes, saying that I had insufficient paperwork submitted.  I called the number provided and got right through to someone that looked over my application.  They told me to submit the second page (they used to accept the first page only, but now want the second one for the signatures) and it should go through quickly.  They also told me the income used to base qualifications is the AGI adjust gross income, line 11.  I was very impressed how quickly I reached a knowledgeable person on the phone.  Hope this helps!

[slackmax]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

I'm on your other thread about ACP income, but thought I'd post here as well.  I'll update on the other well also.

I just put my application through for the $30/month ACP subsidy.  I only included the first page of my 1040 tax return form.  I received an automated email response in about 10 minutes, saying that I had insufficient paperwork submitted.  I called the number provided and got right through to someone that looked over my application.  They told me to submit the second page (they used to accept the first page only, but now want the second one for the signatures) and it should go through quickly.  They also told me the income used to base qualifications is the AGI adjust gross income, line 11.  I was very impressed how quickly I reached a knowledgeable person on the phone.  Hope this helps!

Uniwelder, thanks, that helps. Do you get social security, if I may ask?

Maybe I will call the 800 number also. Since it is based on line 11, I think I'll  be OK.     

Thanks again

[uniwelder]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

I'm on your other thread about ACP income, but thought I'd post here as well.  I'll update on the other well also.

I just put my application through for the $30/month ACP subsidy.  I only included the first page of my 1040 tax return form.  I received an automated email response in about 10 minutes, saying that I had insufficient paperwork submitted.  I called the number provided and got right through to someone that looked over my application.  They told me to submit the second page (they used to accept the first page only, but now want the second one for the signatures) and it should go through quickly.  They also told me the income used to base qualifications is the AGI adjust gross income, line 11.  I was very impressed how quickly I reached a knowledgeable person on the phone.  Hope this helps!

Uniwelder, thanks, that helps. Do you get social security, if I may ask?

Maybe I will call the 800 number also. Since it is based on line 11, I think I'll  be OK.     

Thanks again

No social security for me, sorry.

As an update to my application, I just got an email back in the last few minutes that it was approved.  So, once it was submitted with proper documents, approval was 15 minutes later.

[slackmax]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

I'm on your other thread about ACP income, but thought I'd post here as well.  I'll update on the other well also.

I just put my application through for the $30/month ACP subsidy.  I only included the first page of my 1040 tax return form.  I received an automated email response in about 10 minutes, saying that I had insufficient paperwork submitted.  I called the number provided and got right through to someone that looked over my application.  They told me to submit the second page (they used to accept the first page only, but now want the second one for the signatures) and it should go through quickly.  They also told me the income used to base qualifications is the AGI adjust gross income, line 11.  I was very impressed how quickly I reached a knowledgeable person on the phone.  Hope this helps!

Uniwelder, thanks, that helps. Do you get social security, if I may ask?

Maybe I will call the 800 number also. Since it is based on line 11, I think I'll  be OK.     

Thanks again

No social security for me, sorry.

As an update to my application, I just got an email back in the last few minutes that it was approved.  So, once it was submitted with proper documents, approval was 15 minutes later.

Congratulations !

[jim555]

ACP is projected to run out of money April 2024.  With this Congress I would be surprised it doesn't get killed.

[tj]

ACP is projected to run out of money April 2024.  With this Congress I would be surprised it doesn't get killed.

I don't know. Increasing people's costs in an election year doesn't look good.

[Morning Glory]

ACP is projected to run out of money April 2024.  With this Congress I would be surprised it doesn't get killed.

I don't know. Increasing people's costs in an election year doesn't look good.

They'll spin it to blame the president. 

[Morning Glory]

You can also qualify for ACP if someone in your household is on another program like Medicaid.

[tj]

I found this article interesting:

https://scottburns.com/are-you-selling-your-leisure-time-too-cheap/

[slackmax]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

I'm on your other thread about ACP income, but thought I'd post here as well.  I'll update on the other well also.

I just put my application through for the $30/month ACP subsidy.  I only included the first page of my 1040 tax return form.  I received an automated email response in about 10 minutes, saying that I had insufficient paperwork submitted.  I called the number provided and got right through to someone that looked over my application.  They told me to submit the second page (they used to accept the first page only, but now want the second one for the signatures) and it should go through quickly.  They also told me the income used to base qualifications is the AGI adjust gross income, line 11.  I was very impressed how quickly I reached a knowledgeable person on the phone.  Hope this helps!

Update: I called the 800 number on the ACP website, and they reviewed my application and my uploads of my 1040, and said it should not have been rejected. They couldn't accept it right then, but resubmitted it, and suggested I call back in 10 hours to check on the status.

[slackmax]

Another update: I checked the website and it says I was accepted. Yay!

[uniwelder]

As of yesterday, my internet provider has approved my ACP application, which was a separate step from getting government approval.  My internet service will now be costing me $10/month!  At least, as previously noted, for as long as ACP is funded.

[slackmax]

As of yesterday, my internet provider has approved my ACP application, which was a separate step from getting government approval.  My internet service will now be costing me $10/month!  At least, as previously noted, for as long as ACP is funded.

Way to go, Uniwelder!   

I called my cable co yesterday to tell them I was accepted by the ACP people, and she acted surprised that I was accepted based on income alone, and not  due to already being on some other govt program. She asked me if the $30 was going to be taken out of my social security. I said no.

I had to go online to fill out a form for the cable co. Submitted it, and got a message saying they would be in touch soon. 

I am thinking of applying for the $100 towards a laptop, too, since I have an old computer now, but I haven't gotten it to connect to the internet yet.

[WayDownSouth]

I found this article interesting:

https://scottburns.com/are-you-selling-your-leisure-time-too-cheap/

Interesting read, thanks!

[WayDownSouth]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

Do you know if this program works with all service providers? Wondering if this is something worth looking into for a family member in the midwest (comcast).

[tj]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

Do you know if this program works with all service providers? Wondering if this is something worth looking into for a family member in the midwest (comcast).

It should. Don't know why they provider would turn down free money from the government.

[WayDownSouth]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

Do you know if this program works with all service providers? Wondering if this is something worth looking into for a family member in the midwest (comcast).

It should. Don't know why they provider would turn down free money from the government.

I actually just did a bit of digging and found out that some of the major service providers (I know they don't cover all areas or everyone here, but nonetheless) provide internet completely free under this ACP program. They are:

AT&T, Xfinity (comcast), Verizon, Cox, and Mediacom. Pretty cool deal actually.

[tj]

I am trying to get $30 per month off my internet bill by qualifying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

Anyone here collecting Social Security and also using the ACP?

I am getting about $25K per year in SS, and I am afraid it will make my gross income too high to get ACP. Can't get a straight answer so far.

My income has to be below $29,000 to qualify. But the form is vague about what qualifies as income.

Do you know if this program works with all service providers? Wondering if this is something worth looking into for a family member in the midwest (comcast).

It should. Don't know why they provider would turn down free money from the government.

I actually just did a bit of digging and found out that some of the major service providers (I know they don't cover all areas or everyone here, but nonetheless) provide internet completely free under this ACP program. They are:

AT&T, Xfinity (comcast), Verizon, Cox, and Mediacom. Pretty cool deal actually.

Yup. Just another perk of being "income poor" like ACA/Medicaid