Author Topic: Goodbye, Internet!  (Read 4290 times)

AtlantaBob

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Goodbye, Internet!
« on: September 18, 2013, 05:34:30 PM »
So, this one might sound a little extreme, but...

It's time to say goodbye to the Internet (starting September 28th). I had a one year promotional deal with Comcast where internet was $32/month; now they want to raise it to almost $60/month. I called to cancel, and was told that if I stayed, they would only charge me $36/month. It wasn't enough -- I was wasting too much of my time on the sofa reading blogs or watching Netflix. I figured that this would be an incentive to go out more (lots of free stuff in the D.C. area); spend more time with friends; spend more time cooking; and more time at the gym. I'm not sure that this will end up saving me any money in the long run, but I think that it will increase my quality of life a lot.

I'll still have access to the internet through my phone, and if I need to use my laptop for email, etc. I just have to go down to the (really nice) lounge/business center in my apartment complex. Of course, it helps that I'm in a job where I'm not asked to bring my work home with me. Even more interesting (from a Mustachian perspective), this will allow me to downsize a couple of things that I really don't need (like a Google Nexus 7, and maybe a Roku box).

Cross your fingers for me as I attempt to embrace simplicity! (Future posts to come via phone -- although I'll probably "cheat" and use a detachable keyboard).

Sunflower

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Re: Goodbye, Internet!
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2013, 06:27:29 PM »
Awesome! I just moved and very seriously considered not getting internet for the same reasons. In the end, the wireless signal in the common areas of the apartment complex weren't fast enough to load google and I use Skype/etc. frequently for keeping in touch with a few people who are very important to me. I caved and got it but I'm sure you'll make it work!

Russ

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Re: Goodbye, Internet!
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2013, 06:28:08 PM »
I've been internet-free at my apartment for 3 weeks now. I have to walk all the way to the library to look up directions or a cookie recipe. It's incredibly inconvenient.

Sounds like you have *just enough* access to make it work (my opinion, at least). I would suggest having things lined up to do all the time, or else you risk falling in to some other time-waster. Have fun and good luck being productive.

Daley

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Re: Goodbye, Internet!
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2013, 06:49:22 PM »

AtlantaBob

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Re: Goodbye, Internet!
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2013, 07:08:14 PM »
Thanks, all! I remember when I first moved in: my stuff -- mostly books -- hadn't gotten here yet, and I remember how nice it was to have the Internet in an apartment which consisted at that time of a single chair. Work paid for the movers -- way to get spoiled!. That being said, times change, and I now have books, and kitchen gear -- and more friends in the city. So, it's time to stretch out a little. (Note, I'm not saying that the Internet is bad -- it's awesome -- I just need to make sure that I don't burn 1 hour + per day looking at old MMM links, or articles on tech websites about gadgets that I'm not going to actually buy.)

To all who posted -- thanks for the suggestions, and the links to others who have tried to do this (I especially appreciate the advice to have something lined up to do). Making the change has made me think of a lot of the other clutter in my life that could be streamlined (e.g., old Hotmail account which I haven't seriously used in 5+ years), and I'm thinking about using my remaining Internet time to clean up those accounts, and simplify my online (and by extension, my offline) life. I'll try to post here from time to time just to provide a running history for those who are interested. Much easier than starting a "real" blog -- and it comes with almost guaranteed readership!


Nords

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Re: Goodbye, Internet!
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2013, 10:40:46 PM »
It wasn't enough -- I was wasting too much of my time on the sofa reading blogs or watching Netflix. I figured that this would be an incentive to go out more (lots of free stuff in the D.C. area); spend more time with friends; spend more time cooking; and more time at the gym. I'm not sure that this will end up saving me any money in the long run, but I think that it will increase my quality of life a lot.
I'm confused about why the Internet is to blame for this issue. 

What about just setting more limits on yourself, and developing better habits?

AtlantaBob

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Re: Goodbye, Internet!
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2013, 05:22:37 AM »
Nords,

The Internet isn't the to blame -- it's definitely me.  By getting it out of my life for a little bit, I hope to force myself to have better control. Sort of like the electronic version of an alcoholic shouldn't go into a bar just to hang out (not that I think my Internet behavior borders on alcoholism, but....)

Part of its just contrarianism/stoicism as well. But yeah, it's a me thing, and not the Internet at all.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!