Almost 7 million people cut the cord in 2019. The number of people who have ditched their cable bills for good continues to rise each year, and if you’re tired of overpaying for cable, you could be next!
With that in mind, you can still find cable providers that offer you a great deal for all the channels that you want. As long as you know what services you need, and what channels are must-haves, finding the best deal for you is easy.
In this article, we’ll tell you about 7 factors to consider when choosing between cable providers. That way you can make the best decision for you and find an awesome money-saving deal.
1.Decide What All You Need
It’s important to remember that most cable providers do a lot more than just provide you with a way to watch television. Bigger cable companies can also help you get both phone and internet services, which is something you need to think about early on.
Do you need or want a home phone? And what about your internet? Would you like to see about getting something a bit faster?
Write down the answers to those questions so you can have an idea of what all you’re looking for before you begin your search. That way you can determine if a bundle (more on that later…) is right for you or not.
2.Determine How Often You’re Home
Do a lot of traveling for work? Don’t spend a lot of time at your home? Perhaps spending hundreds of dollars on a cable bill each month isn’t worth your money.
In fact, if you’re not home a lot, you may realize that going basic with both your TV and internet plans is the best idea. After all, what good is high-speed internet, or hundreds of TV channels, if you’re never home to enjoy them?
3.Figure Out What Channels You Watch
If you’re like most people, odds are there a handful of channels that you mostly watch. More importantly, there are hundreds of channels that you don’t watch, which means paying for them is a waste of money.
A pro tip? Scroll through your current list of available channels and figure out which ones are must-haves for you. That way you can look for a TV plan that carries those channels, and not too many more, allowing you to save some extra cash on your cable bill.
4.Consider Streaming Options
We touched on this earlier, but there’s a lot to like about streaming nowadays, especially if you travel a lot. If you’re always on the go, as long as you have a laptop or a streaming device, you can take your TV with you wherever you go.
On top of that, the best streaming options are customizable and affordable, so you can get the channels you want without overpaying.
If you decide to go the streaming route, make sure your internet is up to par, especially if you’re going to have multiple people streaming in your home at once. Slow internet speeds can make streaming next-to-impossible, which is an issue that you don’t want to have to deal with.
5.Search for the Best Prices
Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for out of a cable provider, go ahead and start searching around for the best prices. No matter where you live, odds are there are only a handful of options to choose from.
And of course, streaming options like Hulu and YouTube are available to you as well, and worth considering.
Try to look for at least 5 different options; that way you can make sure that you’re getting the best price that you possibly can. Ask about bundles too, as getting your cable, phone, and internet together can usually save you some money.
6.Ask About Installation Fees
One way cable providers can trick you into spending more money is by tacking on some extra installation fees. These fees are pretty much unavoidable unless you’re going the streaming route. But if you’re not going the streaming route, be sure to ask about them before you make a decision on a cable provider.
If you try to install your cable setup yourself, make sure you’re aware of these 4 network cabling service mistakes to avoid. The last thing that you want to do is to create a fire hazard in your home, so go the extra mile to ensure that your setup is safe.
7.don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
Believe it or not, a little bit of negotiation can go a long way, especially when dealing with cable providers. It’s not uncommon to talk your bill down more than a hundred bucks, especially if you have some strong negotiating skills and prices from cable provider’s competitors.
Our advice? Don’t accept any price without at least enquiring about the best deal available to you. You never know, you could end up getting all the channels that you want for less than half of what you expected to pay, which of course is the overall goal here.
Still, Need Help Deciding Between Cable Providers?
Choosing between cable providers has never been more difficult. With so many opinions to choose from, and so many channels available to you, deciding which way to go can be overwhelming.
With that in mind, as long as you figure out what you want, and do some research, you should be able to find a good deal in your area.
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Looking for more ways to be frugal? Check back with our blog often for more money-saving tips and tricks!