About a year ago, we decided to cancel our cable subscription, and the benefits have been surprisingly positive. Initially, we questioned the need for cable television. With our Roku device, we had seamless access to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and Amazon Prime, in addition to a reliable HDTV antenna that kept us entertained with the latest news and shows. Since my favorite sports teams are not local, I often head to a local bar to catch games. Plus, my partner has a strict no-baseball policy, making that an easy choice for us.
We anticipated missing the convenience of a DVR, but streaming services rendered that concern moot; everything we wanted to watch was readily available on demand. Once we disconnected from the cumbersome and overpriced cable packages, we noticed significant savings, even with a few monthly subscriptions. Then there was an unexpected advantage to cutting the cord.
Think back to your childhood Saturday mornings filled with cartoons and relentless toy commercials. Those ads were relentless, and they often led us to pester our parents for toys we didn’t really need. However, since eliminating cable, my children are shielded from these advertisements. Instead of being bombarded by commercialism, they discover toys on the playground or during playdates, which feels much healthier.
Of course, my son still learns about toys from various sources, but it’s refreshing to know he’s not constantly inundated with advertising. I remember wanting a ridiculous remote-controlled truck called “The Claw,” which I later found out was a total letdown. Now, with streaming, my son is less confused when he encounters commercials during visits to family, and instead of begging for the latest flashy toy, he’s more focused on playing.
With fewer ads in our lives, there’s been a noticeable reduction in the demands for overpriced, gimmicky toys that fade in interest after a couple of weeks. This saves us money and spares us the frustration that comes with those impulse purchases. If only my parents had done the same with “The Claw.”
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In summary, canceling cable has not only saved us money but also reduced my children’s exposure to unnecessary consumerism. This has made for a more peaceful home life and less stress around toy shopping, allowing us to focus on what truly matters.