Cutting the Cord on Your Cable: A How-To Guide

Tom Johnson • October 18, 2022

Want To Save $75-$100 Each Month? Here’s How!

In the beginning, there was cable TV. One package, maybe 24 channels, take it or leave it. Next, technology brought about a 500-channel universe that included a lot of programming you weren’t interested in but paid for anyway. Then came streaming services, football packages and the infinite possibilities of Internet connectivity and the World Wide Web. Now all of this is costing you $250 a month and you’re thinking, as David Byrne sang, “How did I get here?” It’s intimidating, but in most households it’s also an easy opportunity to save $75-$100 a month while improving your entertainment options. It only seems complicated because the providers want it to seem complicated, because that creates what the marketers call “lock in,” which is never a good thing for consumers.

Here’s the thing: you’re not locked in. You’re standing at the precipice of a cable-free world that is faster, better and cheaper than what you have. More than 55% of American households have already abandoned cable TV. They’re enjoying monetary savings, faster Internet service, expanded programming options, more storage for recorded programs, higher quality video and a reduction of clutter around their TVs.

Here’s how you can join them.

Bandwidth $50

Internet bandwidth is the foundation of your cable-cutting plan. If you’re still attached to regular cable TV, you’re likely getting your programming and Internet in a bundle. The first step is to unbundle everything and order from what is, in effect, an a la carte menu.


Internet capacity is measured in megabits per second, or mbs. Consumer Reports recommends at least 50 mbs for households that want to stream high-definition television. That’s enough to power two TVs watching different programs at the same time, while allowing simultaneous Internet activity. US Telecom’s 2022 broadband pricing report notes that broadband prices dropped nearly 15% last year, a savings your cable company likely didn’t pass on to you.  If you’ve been using the same provider for a while, you’re going to be delighted by how much better Internet access is now. The whole speed/cost balance has shifted in your favor. In most place, the most common, mid-tier service will be significantly faster than 50 mbs and cost 37 cents per month per mbs. That means a 100 mbs system will cost about $37 plus taxes and fees.

Hardware $0-$55

Your cable system brings programming into your home through a cable box that sits next to your TV. Modern systems do away with the cable box, bringing in programming through apps that live either on the TV (if you have a smart TV) or a small streaming device plugged unobtrusively into a port on the back of your set.  Roku, Chromecast and Amazon Fire are the most common, costing between $30 and $55. They all plug in and walk you through an easy setup. If you have installation questions, there are about a thousand people on YouTube who’ve put together how-to videos that cover everything. We don‘t understand why, but Youtubers in general are better at explaining the services than the services are themselves. 

Programming Provider $70

If you want news, sports, live local channels and all the basic cable networks you’ve come to love, you’re going to need a programming provider. This is the part of cutting the cable that involves the most shopping around. While you’re choosing, remember: if you opt for a service you don’t like, you can opt-out anytime you want. Most of the services offer a free trial period so you can shop around without any cost or obligation. When I was cutting the cable, I signed up for two services at the same time to see which I liked better. It didn’t cost me a nickel.

  • Channel lineup–The major services generally carry the familiar networks of basic cable, but they can be quirky and vary depending on your location. Make sure the service you choose has the programming you want.
  • DVR capacity–How many hours of video can you record? I’m partial to services that allow infinite recording, but you may not be collecting every episode of 31 different TV series the way I am.
  • Number of simultaneous users–Because you’re shifting from cable to wireless within your home, you can easily add TVs and devices to your network. While you can activate as many devices as you want, the services limit how many devices you can watch at the same time without paying extra. Three streams at a time is generally the base, which includes watching by phone or computer from places other than your home.

All of the services have automated registration and installation, but if you run into problems, you know what to do: YouTube. Search the problem you’re having, and someone will have an easy answer.

Streaming Services $8-10 Per Month Each

The “dessert cart” of video streaming is the premium services like Netflix and HBO. In all likelihood, you’re already signed up for a couple of these. Since most smart TVs and streaming devices have the apps for the major streaming services already installed, transferring your subscription over to your new platform is as easy as entering a username and password. Because you’re saving so much money, you can afford to add a couple more. It is again important to remember you’re not signing contracts on these services. You can sign up for one, binge the programs you’re interested in and then cancel your subscription without penalty. We know lots of adults with no interest in animated princesses who paid for one month of Disney+ so they could watch Peter Jackson’s multipart Beatles documentary.

The biggest services are Netflix, HBO, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. There are new services almost every month. Some have specialties–horror movies, children’s programming, French soap operas–and others offer hybrid packages where you get some programs for free but pay for others. Or maybe you have to endure commercials unless you pay, in which case you don’t. If you were paying $250 a month for your cable and programming packages, by cutting the cable you’ve saved almost $100, and you have faster Internet service, more video storage, more devices from which you can watch and some impressive new programming options. You have, in other words, the budget to add a couple of services if you like. But there’s something else, too. According to a recent Pew survey, 60% of Americans says they can’t afford to put money away for the future. Here’s your opportunity.

You think this savings won’t add-up? Well, we’ve done some rough math. If you were to put the $75 a month you’re saving into an annuity paying, say 4%, in 10 years you’d have roughly $11,000. That is where GBU can help.

About the author

Tom Johnson is a writer and communications consultant based in Louisville, Kentucky. He has written or produced more than 100 television documentaries and published an equal number of magazine articles. He has written or co-written business plans that have raised over $100 million in venture capital and, for a short, lamentable period in his youth, made a living writing jokes. You can follow him on Twitter @NotGoogleable.

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