DIY Life

Hefty cable bill got you down? Do some people pay less for cable than others? Yes and yes! Here's how to reduce your monthly cable bill, with realistic advice gleaned from frugal cable subscribers.

Warning: to make this advice work for you, you'll have to be painfully honest with yourself about a) how much you really need/use your existing cable and b) how much you can really afford cable, if at all.

1. Not yet a cable customer? First, search for special deals offered by your cable provider, such as a low monthly rate for the first six months. When you do call to sign up, make sure to ask if you can get one of those low-rate deals, plus extras, such the modem, thrown in for free. Hey, it doesn't hurt to ask!

2. Consider bundling. Combining cable with telephone and/or internet will usually end up costing you less.

For example, I found we could get internet and basic cable from Comcast for about the same price as they would charge for internet alone. Yes, we are paying more, but on the other hand we now have a bunch of TV channels to watch and our internet is a ton faster than before.

3. Bluff your way to a discount. Haggling and even threatening to cancel may earn you a hefty discount. Another trick: cancel your service, wait a few days then sign up as a new customer with a cheap introductory package.

My Money Blog offers up detailed step-by-step instructions on how to bluff and haggle with the best of 'em via phone. Meanwhile the Money and Such blog confirms the fastest route to a cable discount is through the cancellation department. In other words: don't waste time talking to customer service.

Now, some people (myself included) don't feel this is ethical behavior, but many people have success with this tactic. If you can sleep at night, try it.

4. Know the competition. Whether you're sincere or bluffing, arm yourself with the competition's offerings and special deals before calling the cable company to request a break. It's a useful bargaining chip. Can you get satellite in your area? If so, what kinds of contracts and fees are required? Know before calling the cable company.

5. Slash that budget. No luck bargaining for a reduction? Consider cutting back to the most basic cable package ... or cutting it completely. You really can live without cable! Review your budget and be realistic. Think: do you really need so many channels? Can you at least cut the pay-per-view options?

Bottom line: If you're struggling to pay the bills each month, cable is a non-essential. You must have the discipline to cut it from your life.

6. Get TV/movies for free or for cheap. Substitute expensive cable with free or lower-cost sources of entertainment. Are there hobbies or exercises you could pursue in the evenings instead of watching TV? Could you sign up for a DVD-by-mail rental service like Netflix?

If you're a genuine TV/movie junkie, don't forget free or cheap online sources of your favorite shows and films. Netflix, Hulu, and iTunes are popular sources of movies and hot TV shows, as are websites of specific shows and channels. Example, I have been watching clips of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report on Comedy Central's website for years, for free!

Finally, don't forget your public library. You can check out all kinds of tv shows, movies and books on CD for zero dollars! Just be very careful to get them back on time, as there are usually hefty overdue fines.

Have you cut your cable bill or canceled cable to save money?