I really want Netflix. Talk me out of it!

[lifejoy]

It’s fine if you use and enjoy it. I get the two screen option for $9.99/mo and split the cost with my dad.

Better yet, see if you can share with someone else. We have my parents and my inlaws on our plans.

My daughter is away at college, and before I could mention I got netflix, she asked for the password. Efficient, that one.

Lol! At least she's not throwing her money away ;)

[Raenia]

I feel like this might just be a litmus test of how badass the community still is...

Anyway, conspiracy theories aside, netflix isn't really worth it IMO. I watch it some- my mom pays for a multi screen subscription so she can watch whenever she visits, so we'll occasionally watch something. A couple of the netflix originals have been good, but otherwise their selection just keeps dwindling. There are so many things available through youtube (Escape to the Country being a "background noise" favorite of mine while cooking, John Oliver clips), or through directly going to the website (Comedy Central or PBS).

I love Escape the the Country, that's been our go-to in the evenings as well.  I didn't realize it was on youtube, though, I thought I was going to lose it when we cancelled!  Is there a particular youtube channel that you use that is good quality?

[MrThatsDifferent]

Seriously? It’s the cheapest legal access to shows without commercials. Get it or use someone’s password. If you can’t afford Netflix you’ve got bigger problems.

[JordanOfGilead]

Seriously? It’s the cheapest legal access to shows without commercials. Get it or use someone’s password. If you can’t afford Netflix you’ve got bigger problems.

How very mustachian of you....
Let's not forget, http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/08/01/a-millionaire-is-made-ten-bucks-at-a-time

Technically streaming is legal, but hosting streaming sites is not. For this reason, several ISPs block entertainment streaming sites. A way around this is with a good VPN or with a proxy browser. Airvpn is cheaper per month than Netflix by a couple dollars and can be used for so much more than just watching a narrow selection of tv shows and movies. Epic browser is a free, firefox based, routs you through a proxy, has the "https always on" feature activated at all times, and automatically blocks tracking cookies. Then there's always ToR if you really want to go down the rabbit hole, but your ISP can detect how you are accessing their services (if you are using a VPN they know you connect to a VPN, but not what happens after that. Same with a proxy browser like Epic or a router network like ToR).
 A popular example of one of these streaming sites is putlocker. I won't give a URL because, well, obvious reasons. It is a website that will open a new tab with an ad occasionally when you click something and you have to know your way around ad-filled websites (adblocker doesn't catch everything these days), but it's an alright substitute for Netflix. You can find all of the same movies and tv shows as Netflix plus pretty much anything else that has 1) been on tv for over a week or 2) been released to dvd.

Personally, I still have Netflix because it is more user friendly and I split the cost with my dad, but I use Epic + AirVPN to stream tv shows and movies that aren't on Netflix, like the last season of "It's Always Sunny ..." since Netflix decided to remove it before making the most recent (possibly last) season available.

[MrThatsDifferent]

When some people pay over $140 for cable, $8 for Netflix is pretty damn mustachian. The only thing more mustachian is cutting out all shows completely or finding 8 people to share an account and each contributing $1 a month.

[JordanOfGilead]

When some people pay over $140 for cable, $8 for Netflix is pretty damn mustachian. The only thing more mustachian is cutting out all shows completely or finding 8 people to share an account and each contributing $1 a month.

I was referring to the "if you can't afford Netflix" part. There is a very important distinction between not being able to afford an expense, and not wanting to incur an expense. Just because a mustachian can "afford" a new house or car, does that mean they should go out and buy it? This is the same principle applied on a smaller scale, over ~$10/mo.
$120/yr. Not insignificant, and I can't blame OP for being reluctant to commit to such an expenditure that will only guarantee sitting in front of a tv for too many hours to "get your money's worth."

[aneel]

Netflix Introduces New ‘Browse Endlessly’ Plan

https://www.theonion.com/netflix-introduces-new-browse-endlessly-plan-1819595604


This is what I think of when I think of Netflix. Every few months I'll subscribe for 1 month to catch up on something, and after catching up on that I just find myself browsing endlessly with a feeling of "meh" towards most of the titles.

This drives me nuts!

[solon]

The Netflix selection is pretty bad nowadays. 

I cancelled my account after one too many evenings of scrolling down the menu and experiencing a sense of deep malaise in regard to our entire culture.

My plan is to reboot our account for one month, maybe every six months or so, to catch up on the few things we do enjoy.  Otherwise it is dead to me, and I haven't missed it.

Basically this. If you really want to sample Netflix, take the free 30 day trial, cancel on day 30, and pay for one 30 day subscription in six months time and catch up on anything good.

I recently cancelled Netflix (cancelled cable at the same time) and got a Roku. No monthly charges - they have quite a lot of free channels including several documentary channels, many movie channels. I have PBS on there, news channels, it's enough for me.

Hey I have Roku. What specific channels are you watching?

[gobius]

When some people pay over $140 for cable, $8 for Netflix is pretty damn mustachian. The only thing more mustachian is cutting out all shows completely or finding 8 people to share an account and each contributing $1 a month.

I was referring to the "if you can't afford Netflix" part. There is a very important distinction between not being able to afford an expense, and not wanting to incur an expense. Just because a mustachian can "afford" a new house or car, does that mean they should go out and buy it? This is the same principle applied on a smaller scale, over ~$10/mo.
$120/yr. Not insignificant, and I can't blame OP for being reluctant to commit to such an expenditure that will only guarantee sitting in front of a tv for too many hours to "get your money's worth."

It would require $3k in funds to FIRE, from the 4% rule. So if you save $1k/mo that pushes you back 3 months. Save $5k/mo and it's a few weeks.

It depends on what you would do as alternatives. If it saves you going out to eat or a movie once a month it pays for itself. If it prevents you from taking a side job because the Marvel shows are so addictive it sets you back more than $120/year. The expense by itself is tiny. Its second order effects are the important part.

[HipGnosis]

Basically this. If you really want to sample Netflix, take the free 30 day trial, cancel on day 30, and pay for one 30 day subscription in six months time and catch up on anything good.

I recently cancelled Netflix (cancelled cable at the same time) and got a Roku. No monthly charges - they have quite a lot of free channels including several documentary channels, many movie channels. I have PBS on there, news channels, it's enough for me.

Hey I have Roku. What specific channels are you watching?

Do an internet search of: "free private roku channels"
There are soooo many that it doesn't matter what anyone else watches, find what you like.  Note that it will take the better part of a day or weekend to check them out.

[HipGnosis]

Do an internet search of: "free private roku channels"
There are soooo many that it doesn't matter what anyone else watches, find what you like.  Note that it will take the better part of a day or weekend to check them out.

Posting this prompted me to search for new private free roku channels.
Sadly, the roku portal doesn't show you what channels you've already added.
But, I found;  https://www.roku.com/offers  Roku makes it really easy to start free trials of many streaming services, including Amazon Prime/Video.

[NoraLenderbee]

We have movie night once a week and get a DVD from Netflix (usually) or stream. We watch lots of foreign films, weird old stuff, etc. It's great because we can watch movies you can't find in theaters, and it's way cheaper and more comfortable than going out. We have no cable or satellite and don't watch TV otherwise.

What works for us is to think of directors we like or want to try, classics, google independent films from various countries, etc. Then we search Netflix for specific titles. If you just browse, they'll show you all kinds of crap.

[undercover]

The $8/mo isn't what's costing you - it's the time spent in front of a screen watching content that's costing you.

[PoutineLover]

We have movie night once a week and get a DVD from Netflix (usually) or stream. We watch lots of foreign films, weird old stuff, etc. It's great because we can watch movies you can't find in theaters, and it's way cheaper and more comfortable than going out. We have no cable or satellite and don't watch TV otherwise.

What works for us is to think of directors we like or want to try, classics, google independent films from various countries, etc. Then we search Netflix for specific titles. If you just browse, they'll show you all kinds of crap.

Almost every time I search a specific title I get "explore titles related to..." and I go download it instead. Canadian netflix isn't great. I do like a lot of the netflix originals though.

[Imma]

For us, Netflix has been very good value for money. We share a Premium plan with my brother. He has four accounts, we get two of them and pay half of his subscription, which is €7. In my country, there's quite a lot of good content available on Netflix. We don't really watch the Netflix originals or many more commercial series, but there's a good selection of more niche films and series and plenty of documentaries available.

We don't have a TV subscription. When we want to watch something, we watch public TV or Netflix. There aren't a lot of movies on the public channels, but many very good documentaries. Of course, it's possible to find things through youtube or illegal downloads, but Netflix is just so much more convient and legal. I don't spend my days glued to the screen, but I like to watch something when I'm not feeling well (I have a chronic illness) or while preparing large batches of food or mending clothes.

[Lmoot]

The $8/mo isn't what's costing you - it's the time spent in front of a screen watching content that's costing you.

Not necessarily. I don't know the last time I just sat and watched something.  I multitask, always. In my case, I watch several hours of Netflix per day, while I work from home. Or folding laundry, cleaning, doing my nails....

[JLee]

Netflix Introduces New ‘Browse Endlessly’ Plan

https://www.theonion.com/netflix-introduces-new-browse-endlessly-plan-1819595604


This is what I think of when I think of Netflix. Every few months I'll subscribe for 1 month to catch up on something, and after catching up on that I just find myself browsing endlessly with a feeling of "meh" towards most of the titles.

This drives me nuts!

I've had that feeling of 'meh' towards most of the titles, then I picked one and started to watch it (Ozark). It's...really good.

[Samuel]

Just browsing through Netflix sucks. Go straight to the good stuff.

www.netflixwizard.com

[FIRE Artist]

The $8/mo isn't what's costing you - it's the time spent in front of a screen watching content that's costing you.

Not necessarily. I don't know the last time I just sat and watched something.  I multitask, always. In my case, I watch several hours of Netflix per day, while I work from home. Or folding laundry, cleaning, doing my nails....

I was going to say something similar.  I have Netflix in my art studio, and it is great. I love to spend hours up there and always have on something in the background.  I don't sit on my ass watching Netflix, rather I listen to it while working away on building my art skills.  If I find myself drawn into watching the on screen action, I usually jump out of that show and save it for wind down watching before bed, which I only typically do on Sunday evenings as I reset for the coming work week. 

[scissorbill]

A millionaire is made ten bucks at a time.

[MustacheExplorer]

For me and family members that use it Amazon Prime pays for itself with the free shipping.

[FIREySkyline]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

[Goldielocks]

The $8/mo isn't what's costing you - it's the time spent in front of a screen watching content that's costing you.

+1

Get off the couch and go do something.   You don't need Netflix, prime, hulu, etc.   Go have fun!

[alsoknownasDean]

Will it result in you spending more of your time watching TV?

I had a Netflix account for a while, and found it wasn't being used often, so I cancelled it.

Maybe I'll reactivate it in the winter when I'm hibernating at home anyway, but in the warmer months I'd rather spend the time away from screens. :)

Now I'm keeping the Spotify subscription. That's more than worth the $11.99AUD I pay for it to me.

[dragoncar]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I don’t really believe this.  TV is not the devil, in moderation it has its own advantages.  You guys really believe this?  What would you do to Wind down?

[FIREySkyline]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I don’t really believe this.  TV is not the devil, in moderation it has its own advantages.  You guys really believe this?  What would you do to Wind down?

I wouldn't call it a "belief", but it's definitely true for me. I've experienced this. How did people wind down for millenia? They didn't have TV. My options include reading, listening to podcasts/audiobooks/music/etc., maybe check out some interesting content on youtube (Not entertainment focused, maybe talk shows, debates, lectures, how-tos, etc.), research on topics I'm dying to know more about, but rarely just entertainment. The DW and I watch a movie less than once in a month. It just provides no benefit, even indirectly like reading which forces you to think more to process things.

[Goldielocks]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I don’t really believe this.  TV is not the devil, in moderation it has its own advantages.  You guys really believe this?  What would you do to Wind down?

mrmoneymustache.com   
...... of course.

[FIREySkyline]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I don’t really believe this.  TV is not the devil, in moderation it has its own advantages.  You guys really believe this?  What would you do to Wind down?

mrmoneymustache.com   
...... of course.

That's definitely on the list ;-)

This question is pretty much exactly like asking... "How could I possibly get to work/the store/anywhere if I don't have a car?"

[Imma]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I'm rarely doing nothing while watching Netflix. Most of the times I'm peeling potatoes or fruit, mending clothes, hand quilting, I'm a farmer's daughter and I was taught that idle hands are the devil's tool.

Of course, I don't have to watch Netflix while doing those things, but I think it's normal to want to do something while doing a boring task. My grandmother would have listened to radio shows while peeling buckets full of potatoes and things like canning and mending were generally done in groups. All the neighbours would visit for canning or butchering time and mending would be done over tea or coffee with neighbours and daughters. I do it all on my own, I don't think it's that bad to combine it with Netflix. Also, I don't really see the difference between using Netflix or youtube. Not all the content on Netflix is entertainment focused at all - I mostly watch documentaries. I watch documentaries on public TV channels too, I don't have cable.

[dragoncar]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I don’t really believe this.  TV is not the devil, in moderation it has its own advantages.  You guys really believe this?  What would you do to Wind down?

I wouldn't call it a "belief", but it's definitely true for me. I've experienced this. How did people wind down for millenia? They didn't have TV. My options include reading, listening to podcasts/audiobooks/music/etc., maybe check out some interesting content on youtube (Not entertainment focused, maybe talk shows, debates, lectures, how-tos, etc.), research on topics I'm dying to know more about, but rarely just entertainment. The DW and I watch a movie less than once in a month. It just provides no benefit, even indirectly like reading which forces you to think more to process things.

I didn't say there's nothing else to do.  But I disagree that there's "always something better" to do.  I don't personally consider reading, listening to stuff, youtube, etc. to be "better".  They are still consumption of other people's content.  And I do plenty of all, but don't find that it improves my life on the day I read a book vs. watch a netflix documentary.

I generally think there are better things to do than watch TV, but you can't do that all day every day.  Exercise and critical thought have inherent limits before they stop being good for you IMO.  If I've already done my planned exercise for the day, meditated, read the news, all chores, and I'm not physically and mentally exhausted, I do not believe that watching something on TV is worse for me than listening to music.

[FIREySkyline]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I don’t really believe this.  TV is not the devil, in moderation it has its own advantages.  You guys really believe this?  What would you do to Wind down?

I wouldn't call it a "belief", but it's definitely true for me. I've experienced this. How did people wind down for millenia? They didn't have TV. My options include reading, listening to podcasts/audiobooks/music/etc., maybe check out some interesting content on youtube (Not entertainment focused, maybe talk shows, debates, lectures, how-tos, etc.), research on topics I'm dying to know more about, but rarely just entertainment. The DW and I watch a movie less than once in a month. It just provides no benefit, even indirectly like reading which forces you to think more to process things.

I didn't say there's nothing else to do.  But I disagree that there's "always something better" to do.  I don't personally consider reading, listening to stuff, youtube, etc. to be "better".  They are still consumption of other people's content.  And I do plenty of all, but don't find that it improves my life on the day I read a book vs. watch a netflix documentary.

I generally think there are better things to do than watch TV, but you can't do that all day every day.  Exercise and critical thought have inherent limits before they stop being good for you IMO.  If I've already done my planned exercise for the day, meditated, read the news, all chores, and I'm not physically and mentally exhausted, I do not believe that watching something on TV is worse for me than listening to music.

If you want to hold that perspective, that's fine. But I don't find your argument logically compelling.

[Zikoris]

No problem! Let's do this.

Can you really not think of anything better and more Badass Mustachian you could do than sit in front of the television? Here are 10 to get you started:

- Exercise
- Plan and prepare your meals for the week
- Look for a better job
- Learn some new skills
- Do something mentally challenging
- Spend quality time with friends and family
- Volunteer
- Take up a new hobby that's always interested you
- Look over your spending for the last year and find a way to lower your biggest three categories
- Get involved in your local community and push for changes where needed

Also, this:
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/05/06/mmm-challenge-cut-your-cash-leaking-umbilical-cord/

[Retire-Canada]

Also, this:
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/05/06/mmm-challenge-cut-your-cash-leaking-umbilical-cord/

Well MMM suggests Netflix as a frugal option in that post.

[dragoncar]

$9x12x25=$2700 to pay for netflix each year.

Rephrasing much of what has already been said, but: There is ALWAYS something better you could be doing with your time than consuming TV. Now that I'm focused on being productive, I literally never find time for TV. I used to watch a few shows, now I watch none. And I'm glad. Watching TV gives me this "man I just wasted so much time" feeling. You don't want that. When you get to the end of your life, one thing that will have returned absolute 0 on investment will be TV watching. The dollar cost is low, but the opportunity cost is astronomical.

I don’t really believe this.  TV is not the devil, in moderation it has its own advantages.  You guys really believe this?  What would you do to Wind down?

I wouldn't call it a "belief", but it's definitely true for me. I've experienced this. How did people wind down for millenia? They didn't have TV. My options include reading, listening to podcasts/audiobooks/music/etc., maybe check out some interesting content on youtube (Not entertainment focused, maybe talk shows, debates, lectures, how-tos, etc.), research on topics I'm dying to know more about, but rarely just entertainment. The DW and I watch a movie less than once in a month. It just provides no benefit, even indirectly like reading which forces you to think more to process things.

I didn't say there's nothing else to do.  But I disagree that there's "always something better" to do.  I don't personally consider reading, listening to stuff, youtube, etc. to be "better".  They are still consumption of other people's content.  And I do plenty of all, but don't find that it improves my life on the day I read a book vs. watch a netflix documentary.

I generally think there are better things to do than watch TV, but you can't do that all day every day.  Exercise and critical thought have inherent limits before they stop being good for you IMO.  If I've already done my planned exercise for the day, meditated, read the news, all chores, and I'm not physically and mentally exhausted, I do not believe that watching something on TV is worse for me than listening to music.

If you want to hold that perspective, that's fine. But I don't find your argument logically compelling.

Why is that?  In what way is reading a book better than watching TV?

[Retire-Canada]

If you want to hold that perspective, that's fine. But I don't find your argument logically compelling.

DC's argument seems pretty reasonable to me. I don't find your argument logically compelling, but if you want to hold that perspective that's fine.

[FIREySkyline]

If you want to hold that perspective, that's fine. But I don't find your argument logically compelling.

DC's argument seems pretty reasonable to me. I don't find your argument logically compelling, but if you want to hold that perspective that's fine.

Much obliged.

[MatthewK]

Sounds like OP has already decided and signed up but I'll post my 1 cent. If it were me, I wouldn't have a tv at all. But my reality is I have 3 children and a wife so it's a team decision. We canceled Sat tv 3 years ago when we move'd, they wanted to put a dish in our front lawn or on our roof due to our new homes position. Eff that! And cable was not an option because been there done that, our cable company here sucks!!! So we decided to sign up for Netflix and give that a shot. Shortly after that I was reborn (discovered  MMM!!) So my relationship with television changed and Yah, netflix isn't perfect but at least you don't (and more importantly my KIDS) get bombarded with those piece of shit commercials when watching! I really, really hate commercials if you can't tell. :-)

[Just Joe]

We wear out Netflix in the winter, less so in the summer. Hulu gets alot of use too. Amazon the least of the three.

[WhiteTrashCash]

Why in the world would I talk you out of Netflix? "Stranger Things" is on Netflix and it's every nostalgic dream you've ever had about Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter movies. "Daredevil" is on Netflix. The amazing "Jessica Jones" is on Netflix and you'd never believe that a superhero mystery show could tackle such difficult issues as rape and drug abuse. Go sign up right now! You should literally open a new tab immediately and grab your credit card.

[Goldielocks]

No problem! Let's do this.

Can you really not think of anything better and more Badass Mustachian you could do than sit in front of the television? Here are 10 to get you started:

- Exercise
- Plan and prepare your meals for the week
- Look for a better job
- Learn some new skills
- Do something mentally challenging
- Spend quality time with friends and family
- Volunteer
- Take up a new hobby that's always interested you
- Look over your spending for the last year and find a way to lower your biggest three categories
- Get involved in your local community and push for changes where needed

Also, this:
https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/05/06/mmm-challenge-cut-your-cash-leaking-umbilical-cord/

Get a good night's sleep.....   (I watch TV far to late, too often)

[Lmoot]

No problem! Let's do this.

Can you really not think of anything better and more Badass Mustachian you could do than sit in front of the television? Here are 10 to get you started:

- Exercise - I watch Netflix on my phone or laptop while on the treadmill; TV while I'm on the exercise bike
- Plan and prepare your meals for the week - I watch TV while doing this...and <gasp> while cooking

- Look for a better job - I actually got inspired to change my career, watching a show called Wildlife Docs; I've been working at a zoo part time for 5 years now, and the show inspired me to pursue further job opportunities which landed me in my current department.

- Learn some new skills - Ummm...NAKED AND AFRAID???

- Do something mentally challenging - TV/Netflix is about the content, not the medium. It's up to you to choose programming that makes you think. And I can multitask doing something challenging while watching TV. If I can't for that particular activity, I turn the TV off. Simple as that.

- Spend quality time with friends and family - Every Monday for the last 4 years, my 2 siblings and I have movie night at my mom's house (she's a historical british/foreign film buff). We watch Netflix/Roku, crowded on the same bed with our mom, drinking wine.

- Volunteer - Not too many volunteer opportunities available at bedtime

- Take up a new hobby that's always interested you - My hobby is interior design/sustainable. I love watching shows and documentaries about that topic to get ideas.

- Look over your spending for the last year and find a way to lower your biggest three categories - You can't? I do this while watching the morning news, on paycheck days, while I pay bills and balance my checkbook/following month's budget

- Get involved in your local community and push for changes where needed - You can't? I guarantee most people out there pushing for change...still watch TV/ Netflix/Roku/ Amazon Prime....etc etc

With mobile media technology, most people don't "sit and watch". Other than when I am socializing with a group of people, I can't remember the last time since I was a kid, that I just "sit and watch". I'm physically incapable of doing that. Right now I am listening to my local news, as I am typing this out. In a few minutes I will be moving to my work computer in the other room, and already have Z-Nation season 4 queued up to watch as I begin my work day. I switch between Netflix, youtube, and podcasts, and audiobooks. Makes the work day go by faster.

My replies in bold.

[undercover]

Why is that?  In what way is reading a book better than watching TV?

While difficult to define "better", reading offers a greater depth and breadth of information on pretty much any subject. A book vs it's visual counterpart will always go over more topics and in much greater detail than the movie ever will/will ever care to. It also offers more mental stimulation and exercise for your brain which is a topic in its own right. You can also consume at your own pace and it's easier to skip around parts you don't care for. I'm not firmly in the "books are better than their equivalent movie" camp, but in most cases I've found it to be true. Again, not that the movie doesn't offer it's own valuable experience, but there is just so much more to be had with reading the book of said movie. Some book movies are really well done though, don't get me wrong.

Also movies and TV always have an agenda. This applies to any genre whether it be intended for education or entertainment. Part of that is to hook you so that you can't look away so there's always dramatic music and other unnecessary pauses and filler that is completely eliminated in book form. There are also financial constraints with creating film/TV so they have to leave tons of shit out obviously.

At the end of the day though I think that it's not really about the medium. You can consume mindless or mindful content anywhere despite the medium. But I think you'd be hard pressed to find a really intelligent person that doesn't read on a regular basis given the aforementioned benefits. It's not hard to imagine why someone with an insatiable thirst for learning would get annoyed by consuming via watching vs. reading because it would take far longer and then they still wouldn't have as much information/context as if they had just read it.

[FIRE Artist]

No problem! Let's do this.

Can you really not think of anything better and more Badass Mustachian you could do than sit in front of the television? Here are 10 to get you started:

- Exercise - I watch Netflix on my phone or laptop while on the treadmill; TV while I'm on the exercise bike
- Plan and prepare your meals for the week - I watch TV while doing this...and <gasp> while cooking

- Look for a better job - I actually got inspired to change my career, watching a show called Wildlife Docs; I've been working at a zoo part time for 5 years now, and the show inspired me to pursue further job opportunities which landed me in my current department.

- Learn some new skills - Ummm...NAKED AND AFRAID???

- Do something mentally challenging - TV/Netflix is about the content, not the medium. It's up to you to choose programming that makes you think. And I can multitask doing something challenging while watching TV. If I can't for that particular activity, I turn the TV off. Simple as that.

- Spend quality time with friends and family - Every Monday for the last 4 years, my 2 siblings and I have movie night at my mom's house (she's a historical british/foreign film buff). We watch Netflix/Roku, crowded on the same bed with our mom, drinking wine.

- Volunteer - Not too many volunteer opportunities available at bedtime

- Take up a new hobby that's always interested you - My hobby is interior design/sustainable. I love watching shows and documentaries about that topic to get ideas.

- Look over your spending for the last year and find a way to lower your biggest three categories - You can't? I do this while watching the morning news, on paycheck days, while I pay bills and balance my checkbook/following month's budget

- Get involved in your local community and push for changes where needed - You can't? I guarantee most people out there pushing for change...still watch TV/ Netflix/Roku/ Amazon Prime....etc etc

With mobile media technology, most people don't "sit and watch". Other than when I am socializing with a group of people, I can't remember the last time since I was a kid, that I just "sit and watch". I'm physically incapable of doing that. Right now I am listening to my local news, as I am typing this out. In a few minutes I will be moving to my work computer in the other room, and already have Z-Nation season 4 queued up to watch as I begin my work day. I switch between Netflix, youtube, and podcasts, and audiobooks. Makes the work day go by faster.

My replies in bold.

This, 1000 x's this.  I will also add that I don't think cutting oneself off from popular culture is a thing to be proud of.  It makes you old before your time, it removes you from the collective conversation.  I am not going to spend the last of my working years not being able to join in the conversation about GOT, Walking Dead, or whatever.  That shared viewing experience is the kind of stuff that makes being in a work environment with people you have nothing else in common with fun.  It helps bridge generational gaps. 

[PhilB]

Why is that?  In what way is reading a book better than watching TV?

That's easy.  The scenery is better.

[Noodle]

This, 1000 x's this.  I will also add that I don't think cutting oneself off from popular culture is a thing to be proud of.  It makes you old before your time, it removes you from the collective conversation.  I am not going to spend the last of my working years not being able to join in the conversation about GOT, Walking Dead, or whatever.  That shared viewing experience is the kind of stuff that makes being in a work environment with people you have nothing else in common with fun.  It helps bridge generational gaps.

Agree.

You know, I totally understand that some people don't enjoy recreation that involves sitting still for a good while, and that as with anything good (even books!) you have to be careful to lead a balanced life. But I've never quite understood the perspective that screen entertainment is inherently not worthwhile. I'm no expert, but I know enough about theater/movie/television production to know that even a middle-of-the-road comedy or drama represents a lot of hard work by a whole bunch of people who are very good and experienced at their jobs. The really good examples are pretty amazing to watch, especially if you take time to notice the choices being made. (I was once privileged to hear a lecture by a very well-known costume designer about how she does her job, and I will never look at costumes onscreen the same way again.) Just in terms of comedy, for instance, Andre Braugher on "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and Ted Danson on "The Good Place" are two guys who have been working a long time, know exactly what they're doing, and are really neat to watch doing something that I could never in a million years do.

[dragoncar]

Although I disagree with many of your definition of "better," I'm going to briefly assume that it's true "there's always something better to do than watch TV."  This assumes some ordering in the value of various activites:

1) Doing original research
2) Cooking
3) Watching TV

Thus, there's always something better to do than cooking.  Does that mean you should never cook?  I don't want to see any of you cooking when you could be doing original research.

[Acastus]

Netflix is probably cheaper than driving to the library to rent videos. it has a superior interface compared to Amazon, and no commercials like the free services do. It changes the way  you watch TV for the better. It is all too easy to vid out and keep watching episodes. They queue up automatically. Especially for good shows you never got around to, it is great. You can start at the beginning.

[PhilB]

Netflix is probably cheaper than driving to the library to rent videos.

Driving!  This is the MMM forum.  If the distance is < 20 miles and you are missing no more than 2 limbs then surely you should be cycling to the library :)

[partgypsy]

I can't do it. I feel I get my money's worth out of it. I will get hooked on a tv series (Psych,40 rock, Parks and Rec, Lie to me), and have something to look forward to watching when I have evening time free. Time watching Supergirl and the Flash with my kids is fun and bonding time. And now I have Stranger thing group parties where I and another family watch it together, like an old time serial.
Also have good BBC documentaries, and also forensic files (guilty pleasure).

I do agree a lot of movies I specifically look for, are only on dvd.
OTOH, it is watching tv. It will mean you will watch more tv. 

[NoraLenderbee]

I'm no expert, but I know enough about theater/movie/television production to know that even a middle-of-the-road comedy or drama represents a lot of hard work by a whole bunch of people who are very good and experienced at their jobs. The really good examples are pretty amazing to watch

It's like eating out. You can go to McDonald's for food that you could make better at home, or you can go to an awesome restaurant for a fantastic meal. With netflix, they're the same price.

Although I disagree with many of your definition of "better," I'm going to briefly assume that it's true "there's always something better to do than watch TV."  This assumes some ordering in the value of various activities:

1) Doing original research
2) Cooking
3) Watching TV

Thus, there's always something better to do than cooking.  Does that mean you should never cook?  I don't want to see any of you cooking when you could be doing original research.

How can you justify that ivory-tower stuff when you could be giving babies life-saving vaccines right this minute?