Author Topic: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?  (Read 1892 times)

verdebutterfly

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Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« on: November 08, 2018, 09:00:08 AM »
Hello!  First time posting here and exciting to learn AND APPLY (sorry, comes from my regret over past mistakes!) badassity in my money!

Question:  I have 5 months until no more early cancellation fee for my (bundled but whatever) TV&Video with AT&T/Direct TV/The Devil.  Fee:  $180.  Cost to keep to avoid fee:  $400.

How do you decide something like this?  Probably stupid question.  I see savings:  $220.  I am looking to move to Republic Wireless at the moment to get out of the bundled thing entirely (AT&T Internet cost:  $30/month for 12 months).

I also want to sell my TV, speakers, sound thing (I don't even know what I have, frankly) - where is a good place to do that?

Thank you!
« Last Edit: November 08, 2018, 09:04:38 AM by verdebutterfly »

DS

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Re: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2018, 09:18:06 AM »
Basically add up the cost of cutting vs. the cost of replacement services over the remaining term.

Savings of $220 minus any setup fees or anything you add to replace the service (if any). Was the $80/mo just for the TV portion? So $110/mo for Phone & TV?

Longer you wait the less impact/opportunity there will be also.


Boofinator

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Re: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2018, 09:21:29 AM »
Before I answer, let me know if this is right: You save $220 over the five months, but will need to get both internet ($150) and phone (~$100)? If that's the case, you are losing more money by switching if you can wait to purchase those two items after the 5 months are over. Or do you already have a phone that's not covered under the bundle? In that case, you'd be saving $70 or so over the course of 5 months.

At this point you need to decide what tv is worth to you. Let's say you make $20/hr after taxes. Are you willing to work an extra 3.5 hours over the next five months to accommodate you're television expenditures?

If it were me, I would absolutely cancel today. To caveat, I don't watch much tv, so the value of the merchandise to me is minimal. I have an antenna to watch local broadcasting if desired, and I pay for internet, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, which has more than enough content to fill several lifetimes, let alone the hour or so I spend watching tv in the average week. (I am a bit embarrassed paying $20+ a month on video content suppliers, to be honest.)

verdebutterfly

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Re: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2018, 09:44:00 AM »
Basically add up the cost of cutting vs. the cost of replacement services over the remaining term.

Savings of $220 minus any setup fees or anything you add to replace the service (if any). Was the $80/mo just for the TV portion? So $110/mo for Phone & TV?

Longer you wait the less impact/opportunity there will be also.

Such good points, thank you!

For 12 month promotional period, I pay $80 for Internet and TV&Video.  That is where I got $220 ($80x5=$400-$180).  If I am thinking about this correctly.

I realized this is not phone.  I am getting up to speed (sorry for the pun) on what the hell I actually pay for!  I went with the, 'everyone has to have...' and now am waking up.

Yeah, the internet only thing.  I hate, hate, hate TV and have had periods of time when we have no TV, then we have TV with no cable, and then I cannot find a cheap, reliable internet so I get sucka'ed into the bundled bullshit.

I prefer to raise kids without TV.  And no Netflix or anything else.  In my very limited observation over the past 30 years, the families who raised kids without TV yielded bright, curious, accomplished adults.  The TV folks yielded brainwashed, easily duped, addicted to pop culture zomboids.

Sorry to be harsh on this.  Just think TV is a waste and it is time one cannot ever get back while developing zero skills and contributing positively to obesity and comorbidities.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2018, 09:45:34 AM by verdebutterfly »

verdebutterfly

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Re: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2018, 09:58:17 AM »
I have an antenna to watch local broadcasting if desired, and I pay for internet, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, which has more than enough content to fill several lifetimes,

So true.

Thank you for bringing up other things I did not consider previously.

Phone:  $83/Month (Sprint Unlimited plus $29 for the Apple iPhone)

Amazon Prime:  $12.99/month

AT&T/Direct TV:  $80/month

I can keep the Phone plan.  But I would have to figure out Internet if I get out of the AT&T thing.

Boofinator

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Re: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2018, 10:37:01 AM »
Republic Wireless has been great. I've been a happy customer for 5+ years. Depending on how much data you use, it shouldn't cost more than about $20 per month. A lot of people who travel internationally also recommend Google Fi, but I have no experience there.

Internet has always been a real pain for me, because I've never lived anywhere big enough that the monopoly structure wasn't in effect. I typically pay about $50 per month, and hold my nose while doing so.

What's your plan for all the big upcoming savings?

verdebutterfly

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Re: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2018, 10:46:39 AM »
Thank you!  I read MM's blog post on Google Fi and Republic Wireless and found all that super helpful. 

I suppose it is also an issue of alignment with my personal values (no TV) which can be quantified somewhat.  My kids already use tons of screen time so we do not need another screen.  However, it seems to sell a flat screen TV (year 2016) is to only get like, $200.  But then it is the principal of the matter...

My plan is to get freeeee!  :-)  I want to be free from all these adult trappings, return to my hippie roots, and achieve financial security to live in accordance with my values.  One step at a time.  Just cut $13 off my home and auto insurance today after actually reading the policy and finding duplication of coverage.  I get free transportation and roadside assistance through my car dealer (car is fully paid for, was a gift) so do not need those items covered.  Kinda wasteful anyway, if you ask me!

We are identifying as many areas of waste as possible and learning all we can on alternatives.

jim555

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Re: Cancel cable and pay early cancel fee?
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2018, 08:29:23 AM »
Be careful on the date of cancellation.  Many providers do not prorate so one day into the new billing cycle gets you a while new month of bill.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!