Now that Marc turned 62, he has claimed early retirement with Social Security. The checks start next month, and their splurge was to get Dish. The package comes with an option for up to four rooms. They only have two, so they offered to have cable installed in the house.
Frankly, we were weirded out by the idea. As you all know, we’ve been very happy with Hulu Plus — as has our bank account — and have been big proponents of the switch. The idea of going back to cable, left me kind of cold. We weren’t opposed to the idea, per se. But we weren’t excited either.
That said, it didn’t make sense for us to turn down free cable.
We ended up just getting it in our bedroom. To get it in the living room would have meant drilling a hole into the house for some reason I don’t understand. Point being, we wouldn’t have done that for something we actively wanted, let alone this. Anyway, it got installed in the bedroom and… and we’ve used it once in the two weeks it’s been there. And that was only because Tim had run through everything on Hulu and YouTube and couldn’t find anything he wanted on Netflix.
I feel almost actively wary of the thing. At this point, it feels alien to me. Or maybe it’s just that I feel like a bit of a hypocrite for having it. I know that’s silly. It’s not like we’re paying for it. But after having constantly stumped for Hulu, after having said how few shows we were really missing… Well, I feel kind of like a diet guru who goes home and stuffs her face with Oreos.
I’m sure it doesn’t help that we got the thing about a month too late for the cable shows we would watch. Walking Dead had already started, as had Sons of Anarchy.
Mainly, though, there’s just not a lot on. It’s irritating to page through the guide and see all the shows we’re not interested in: Sirius (which takes up some ungodly number of channels), sports, cooking, etc. So we just leave it alone for the most part.
As Tim found, cable might be useful when we’ve run through everything on Hulu and YouTube for the day. But it’s fall now, and there are usually several shows a day to watch. And last season’s stuff is quickly coming out on Netflix. So how often will we be out of things to watch?
But when that does happen, I suppose cable’s a good safety net… Assuming we could find things we were interested in. Tim could watch certain cartoons. There’s the Cartoon Network, and Amazing Spiderman is actually very funny. or maybe we’d magically catch something in Starz that he hasn’t seen. Or maybe there will be some Cash Cab reruns. But otherwise… meh.
I guess this is just further proof that we made the right decision.
To those of you who cut the cord, how would you feel if you randomly acquired free cable?
Teinegurl says
My roommates add cable last month for the sports package but we kind of agree after the season is over we'll go back. I'm not a sports watcher anyways but I do enjoy DVR
Abigail says
Yeah, I can see DVR being nice. We essentially have the same thing with Hulu. But of course we don't have every channel to choose from.
NZ Muse says
LOL. Pretty good? I have managed to stave off T’s desire for pay TV so far. And since we recently got access to mainstream (free) TV again he’s finding ads really annoying, so I think we may never pay for TV again.
Abigail says
Yeah, ever since the advent of TiVo, ads have felt like the biggest interruption ever. Hulu ads are nice and short, at least.
Vesta says
I have been without cable since 4/1/2012 — only thing I really miss is watching the Green Bay Packers. Watch a couple shows via laptop but can't see going back to paying to cable.
Abigail says
Yeah, we certainly wouldn't pay for it. I'm just not sure what to do with it for free. But yes I'm sure if we were sports fans, we'd find the sports offerings invaluable.
Revanche says
We cancelled cable and don't miss it but since I like a bit of background noise, I wouldn't mind having free cable. It's not like you're choosing to pick it up, after all, you're just helping Nadine and Marc maximize what they're already paying for! That's probably the frugal Asian in me: get the most out of every dollar you're choosing to pay. 🙂
Abigail says
Tee hee. Yeah, I'll just look at it as "maximizing" their money. Though since we're barely using it, that could cause a different kind of guilty feeling. I'm just a mess!
jestjack says
Title of this blog….tooo funny!!! Couple of things, I seem to recall Tim's folks being "financially challenged" and Marc taking SS at 62 is painful….like taking a 25% hit on benfits if one waited until "full retirement age"…OUCH. And to get DISH after this ….this confuses me. And DISH ain't cheap in this neck of the woods. Secondly I did try Hulu not the Hulu Plus after hearing of your success. I watched Joe Craigslist….for FREE. IMHO a good documnetary flick that addresses the human spirit and trust in your fellow man. Get a chance …take a peek…parts of it are hilarious…other parts will have you reaching for the tissues….
Abigail says
I try not to think about the cost of DISH. They actually got one of those $19.99/month deals back around the Superbowl. So I guess technically this is just an upgrade.
I agree that early retirement is painful. On the other hand, there's no way he's ever getting employed again. And they've been living on $1,100 a month for years now. So even with a reduced amount, their income should about double.
And to be fair, this is their one splurge. I think it will hurt a lot more once the deal prices go away after the first year. But even then, they should be spending under $100 a month. Not cheap, but they also watch it morning, noon and night. (Not exaggerating.) So on the hourly cost isn't too bad, I suppose.
But anyway, I'm tired of worrying about their finances for them. They'll figure it out one way or another. I'm just concerned because now Nadine probably won't get her Medicare premiums paid by the state, and Marc probably won't qualify for Medicaid anymore. So they'll have to get him insurance, which will NOT be cheap.
lake livin' says
I forgot to mention earlier that there have been a bunch of articles lately about how taking SS early isn't necessarily a bad thing. The money kind of evens out – less money over a longer period of time vs more money for a shorter period of time. If you die earlier than standard life expectancy, taking SS early is a better deal. If you live past normal life expectancy (I think I've read early 80s and beyond), waiting until full retirement age to take SS is the better deal. Anything in between, they kind of even out. So, for your FIL, taking it early probably makes the most sense based on his health. If Nadine is already on Medicare, then she's at least 65, right? Does she also receive SS or is she receiving half of his?
lake livin' says
His was my first thought as well. And with their increased insurance costs, they may no longer have any splurge money. I realize they have limited mobility due to health issues but watching tv all day, every day just seems like such a sad existence. Like they're just waiting to die. Sorry to be blunt, maybe I'm misinterpreting the situation. Do they have any friends, hobbies they could do at home, anything?
lake livin' says
Meant to say "this was my first thought." And Abby, I totally hear you about being tired of worrying about their finances. I'm trying to train myself to not worry about my Mom so much, especially since it often backfires with her getting defensive.
Abigail says
Well, to be fair, our existence isn't that much different. We watch TV most of the day and don't have a ton of friends. (See my post from a few days ago.)
As for hobbies, no they really don't. Nadine reads, but Marc just… Well, yeah sits around waiting to die isn't actually all that far off. Tim has made a similar observation.
They don't really have any friends down here, though they keep up with one or two in Washington. Without a car and with poor mobility (especially now with the hip issue), there aren't a lot of places they can easily go. We keep meaning to take them to the senior center, but we never get around to it.
And with the recent surgery, it'll be awhile before she's really capable of going out much. She's currently tired getting from the guest house around to the front of the house, and that's about 50 feet.
lake livin' says
Abby, you also have work ethos blog, and you travel at least once or twice a year. Believe me, I like my downtime too and watch my fair share of tv. It just seems like a slippery slope to kind of just giving in that this is life. I remember Nadine used to take walks (and realize this won't be happening anytime soon), so I thought maybe she'd met a neighbor friend. Or if she knitted, she could participate in a group that knits for charity that she could do from home (my church has a "Knitting Angels" group that makes baby blankets and such for newborns in need). Just anything to connect them to the outside world. I don't know, it just makes me sad for them.
lake livin' says
Ugh, darn auto correct. Work AND THIS blog.
lake livin' says
You only get one life, you know? Embrace it.
Abigail says
Yeah, I don't think she knows how to knit. But the neighbor down the way that she was friendly with moved. So she's not too social unfortunately. I'm sure if we took her to the senior center (once she's mobile) she'd have a grand old time.
lake livin' says
Last comment, I swear! 🙂 Re: the senior citizen, once Nadine is more mobile/all healed, why can't Tim drive them to the senior center and then pick them up a few hours later? (assuming they're interested in going) There are also some senior transportation options in Phoenix (some you have to be ADA certified disable to receive) https://www.phoenix.gov/residents/seniors
Catseye says
Hey, it's okay if it's free. That's my philosophy, anyway. Besides, Marc wants to do something nice for you and Tim, let him.
Abigail says
Yeah, I keep reminding myself of that.
Punkin Pye says
We have basic cable in order to get reception for the regular broadcast channels. We bundle our services. If we cancelled cable, we wouldn't be saving any money because the cost of our house phone and internet would go up, so it pays to keep it. However, I am eternally frustrated by how little is on at any given time. We watch the news and sometimes there is something interesting on the Travel Channel. Other than that, the only broadcast shows we watch are "Sleepy Hollow" and "The Big Bang Theory". Like you said, it is mind numbing to page through the guide and find nothing on.
Abigail says
We enjoy Sleepy Hollow too. And one of the few drawbacks for Hulu is missing Big Bang Theory. Unfortunately, we're now behind by one and a half seasons, so we can't start watching. Maybe Amazon Prime will have the episodes…
Donna Freedman says
Yep.
Donna Freedman says
Yep.
Donna Freedman says
Yep.
Donna Freedman says
Yep.
Donna Freedman says
Yep.
TLC says
I cut cable 2+ years ago. And Netflix. And Hulu. I bought a Mohu Leaf Antenna and HIGHLY recommend it for basic channels: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mohu-Leaf-Paper-Thin-Indoor-Antenna/dp/B004QK7HI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414427953&sr=8-1&keywords=mohu+leaf+antenna" target="_blank"> <a href="http://;http://www.amazon.com/Mohu-Leaf-Paper-Thin-Indoor…” target=”_blank”>;http://www.amazon.com/Mohu-Leaf-Paper-Thin-Indoor… Has worked in a 3rd floor & 1st floor apartment and house. I watched DVDs I already owned, free tidbits online, i.e. youtube, and rented movies for free from the library. Since moving in with the BF, we have free cable (long story, but it comes from his family's store) but no DVR. I like it sometimes, but it's certainly not necessary. Mostly just a lot of wasted channels & time.
P.S. I don't have a lot of time for TV anyway with my full-time job, part-time photography business, time with BF/friends/family/pets & fitness goals.
Abigail says
YouTube is an awesome source of entertainment for sure. That said, Hulu and Netflix are a must given how much time we spend at home. Well, not a "must" but we consider it one. Especially for the amount we pay.
But yes a busy life and active social life definitely helps avoid the need for TV.
financiallyblonde says
I would totally feel like you! We cut cable in February and I have not missed it for a day. In fact, I am obsessed with Hulu Plus and Netflix and would rather watch tv intentionally (which is what they force you to do) rather than mindlessly, which is what I used to do.
Abigail says
"Watch intentionally" — I love it! That's exactly what using those means, isn't it?
jefferson says
we are on the verge of dropping our cable, and im excited about it. sports are the biggest and last hold-up for me, but with baseball season over- i don't mind it.
Abigail says
Yeah, I count us lucky that we don't much care about sports. It let us drop cable with relative ease. Glad to hear you're making the switch!
knoxvlogs says
We've been cable free for about a year now, after our free cable deal ran out through Comcast. We rarely watched it before since we have Netflix and Amazon Prime. I wouldn't be totally against taking advantage of free cable if it was offered, but in your specific situation, I'd probably have urged them to find someone who would use the service more. (I also worry – and this may be silly – that if we had cable we'd start watching it regularly and would eventually feel like it was a "need" instead of just this nice free thing we have for a little while. But I'm paranoid about stuff like that.)
Abigail says
I can definitely see a luxury starting to feel like a need. As for offering it to someone else, that's not possible. All the tuners have to be in the same household. So it was us or no one.
plainandsimplepress says
Never could see the point of paying for cable TV: 187 channels with nothing on! Unless you're really an enthusiastic sports fan with lots of time to spend in front of the television, it seems like a huge waste of money.
Netflix is nice, though. At least, it is at its current price. When they raise their fees, as we're told they will with the changes in the Internet, I'll probably let it go. Don't need to pay anyone to help me waste my time. 😀
Abigail says
Ha, well we do! But yeah once Netflix raises its rates, we might switch down to one DVD at a time.
Holly@ClubThrifty says
We went without cable forever then got it again with a "free" 12 month promotion when we switched internet providers. I guess I kinda felt dirty too. Funny thing is, we always forget we have it now! We just aren't in the habit of watching regular TV anymore.
Abigail says
Yeah, I keep forgetting we have it. I think Tim will be the main one using it. But hey if it helps keep him entertained during the day, then I'm happy. Then again, he barely uses it. So I guess it's still kind of moot.
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