Friday, April 10, 2009

No More Television...


We're completely getting rid of television on April 12. On April 12, our 2 year commitment with DirecTV will finally expire. (Since it is Easter Sunday, we'll probably hold off calling until Monday, but still.) We haven't bought a digital converter box and have no intention of doing so. The truth is that television doesn't have much of a place in our lives. We don't watch it more than an hour or two a week and we realized that subscribing to satellite is just one more way lifestyle inflation has crept into our lives. Years ago, people said it was crazy to pay for television, yet these days the person who doesn't have cable/satellite is the rarity.

For us, we've decided to step back and reject lifestyle inflation as a matter of course. Just like the idea of a zero-based budget, which is one in which each line item must be justified every time the budget is renewed, we are looking at each aspect of our lives and assessing its necessity in our lives. So, things are changing...a lot. At the end of last summer, we got rid of our above ground pool because caring for it was a) too much work and b) cost money we thought we could spend elsewhere. Last month I was able to turn off my phone with its generous allotment of minutes and switch to one I can use when I need a phone. This month, I am excited to turn off the television. I wonder we'll do next month?

(Image: http://www.virginmedia.com/images/frugal-millionaire.jpg)

8 comments:

Charming said...

I'm thinking clothing - It's SO overrated. I mean, you just buy it and wear it, and you have to keep buying more. XD lol

I think you guys are awesome; good job!

Anonymous said...

No!!!!! you can't get rid of television what about the biggest loser finale? now we'll never know who wins or how they end up looking!

Erin said...

Sarcasm from two of my three children...maybe we'll get rid of internet next!

Unknown said...

My family went without tv for a good while when I was young. It was one of the best things they did for me. I got into books! I loved to read and I read more those years then in my whole entire life.

Great idea and may there be fruit to your account for this bold decision!

God bless you my friend.

Unknown said...

Hey I have Deja Vu...
Hooray no more TV... Well I couldn't do 100% no TV, just cutting down to Networks was enough for me. More power to you!

Erin said...

Thanks for all the encouraging words...we're actually looking forward to it...

Anonymous said...

We use ours for movies. We did get a converter box so that we can watch news and a little tv, but we haven't had cable in 6 years, and haven't missed it at all. OUr kids swim in summer (we traded cable for pool notes) and in the winter we watch movies, play games, etc. We have tvs in almost every room, but they are rarely on these days. The networks are worse than cable, so we don't encourage watching. ;)

rhonda said...

Thats so funny cause I was just talking to my husband about cancelling cable. We watch way to much and then I have wasted my time and it really is another expense that we don't need. Besides the shows that I do want to watch I can watch online now so then I would be able to manage my time a little more. I just think that I could be putting better stuff into my mind and thoughts. congrats on following thru. I hope I can!