When we decided to cancel our cable tv and disconnect our local service several years ago, we had a variety of reasons.  Many of the shows were inane or offensive (not to mention the advertisements).  We realized that the TV was on most of the time, even if it was not actively being watched.  We understood the negative effects of too much exposure to TV on young children.  But a large factor in turning off the cable was the ridiculously high cost. 

We were paying upwards of seventy-five dollars a month for basic cable.  Although I have been told that it has come down in our area, it is still a huge expense.  We looked into the competitive options, such as Satellite TV, but soon realized there was not much cost difference, and the larger issue of content exposure would not be resolved.

Thankfully, for movie lovers like my husband and myself, we have found several cheap or free alternatives.  We control what comes in to the house, and save hundreds of dollars a year.

Netflix/Blockbuster Online- Online movie stores allow you to rent movies (and some TV shows) without ever leaving your house.  Free shipping and your choice of several plan options starting at $3.99 a month for Blockbuster Online and $4.99 a month for Netflix make these a great replacement for cable or satellite.

Internet TV- For those of you who can’t bear the thought of forfeiting your favorite television shows, you may still be able to dump your high-priced service.  Many cable networks and some of the traditional networks offer their shows, for free viewing or download, as early as the day after an episode has aired. 

Local Libraries-  Most libraries have extensive children’s DVD and VHS selections, but you may be surprised at how many offer great adult movies and complete television series, as well.  A quick search of my local library’s online catalog found over 10,000 DVDs available for pick-up.  With many libraries offering the option to request movies online, and a typical one-week lending period, the library is definitely the cheapest substitute for cable tv and movies.

We use all three of the above options to supplement our own DVD collection.  In addition to the tremendous annual savings, we avoid commercials, control all content and exposure and are far less likely to just "turn on and tune out."

Turning off the cable may not seem like an easy choice, but it does not have to be painful.  With a variety of entertainment alternatives and the incentive of substantial savings, it’s definitely worth the risk of withdrawal!