If I had more time I would… If I had more money I’d… Like every one else, I suspect, I could always use more meaning, money and time.
Here’s an easy way we got more of all three a few years ago: We cancelled our cable.
Cable isn’t evil.* Heck no. I watch it in hotels sometimes. I like the Discovery Channel especially. Myth Busters is stinkin’ cool. But not having cable allowed us, years ago, to sponsor a little girl in El Salvador through Compassion International. And not having it frees me up to talk to friends and my kids and my wife more. I don’t watch other people pretend to live for hours every day inside a little box. Instead, I actually live – or try to – more than I used to – like outside and places.**
No one here has gushed about the meaning TV has added to their life this week. No one has said Ah, I don’t need $50 or Heck, who could use 24 hours more every week? Wutteryou crazy? No one. And I’m betting that on our deathbeds none of us will think back on life in our twenties, thirties or forties and think Man, I wish I’d watched more of The Office. Doh, I just didn’t get all that life had for me you know? I never saw Heroes! You’d think it would be harder sell to smart people like us, like a Segway or a Clay Aiken CD. Why would I want this again?
Now, there’s no reason to get defensive, unless you’re Clay Aiken. I’m not saying you’re a bad person if you have cable, just if you listen to Clay Aiken.*** I thought I’d make the suggestion, that’s all. I hope it helps you get more of what you need.
Here’s how to get $50 more a month, 24 hours more a week and meaning in three steps:
1. Call the cable company.
2. Say something like “I don’t want cable anymore.”
3. angry and self-absorbed, told me to hurt people who hurt me, to cheat on my wife, told me to buy stuff and do stuff without questioning, I’d call that person evil. At least a bad influence. I would. Because I’m weak and judgmental and influenced by that kind of constant bombardment I guess. But for you, since you’re a stronger person than I am, I wouldn’t call this kind of exposure evil. Nope. I bet it hasn’t influenced your thinking at all. That’s what I mean by “not evil.” I mean “not for you, just for me.”
**Results may vary.
*** Fact: Charles Manson, Marilyn Manson and Shirley Manson all have cable and do not listen to Clay Aiken.
ha, I knew this was where you were going. I don’t actually pay for my cable (included in the rent) and the only reason we (my household) have it is because you don’t get any tv without it. I have basic cable which is pretty much the ability to watch networks and a bunch of Spanish channels. There is no way that I watch 24 hours of tv a week, though. Is that the average?
I never got around to commenting on your what would you do with 24 more hours or $50 more dollars posts, but I meant to.
I was going to say that if I had 24 extra hours I’d spend them with my wife watching TV. If I had $50 extra dollars I’d probably spend it on pay-per-view movies or to buy a season or two of The Office on DVD.
Ah yes, I too felt the lecture, um slight proding coming on
If I didn’t have cable how would my kids know to dress up like Hannah Montana for Halloween?
But, seriously, we too are on the verge of giving it up. You can’t even watch a football game (GO MU) with your kids sitting there because of all the sleezy advertising! We turn it during the commericials, but you’ve gotta wonder is it really worth it?
You weren’t very sublte this time, but thanks for the thought provoking anyway!
We already don’t have cable, but I’d still love 24 hours more per week and $50 more per month… any suggestions?
(I will say we have a love/hate relationship with the internet… that’s about $30…)
Shaun, you’ve got to change your methods. They’re all on to you.
We got rid of cable this year, EVEN THOUGH it means we can’t get any TV channels either. The extra money quickly was accounted for elsewhere, but we have had much more time, specifically much more time to talk to my husband and to go to bed earlier!
We truly just don’t even miss it – even though we have our shows that we love (24, Office, Lost) after a couple weeks, you just don’t even think about it anymore. I HIGHLY reccomend it -
Figured there was going to be some kind of catch, I’m in the same boat as Katherine – I don’t have cable, and it’s even included in the rent – primarily because I know it would suck whatever free time I do have. Suggestions? I could really use an extra 24 hours right about… now.
Stop reading blogs.
Are you comparing yourself to cable?
Other ways to get more time:
cut down on commitments if you can–say no if it isn’t absolutely necessary
stay off the internet (a bigger time sucker than tv for me and lots of people…I recently read an article that said people spend more time on the computer than with their significant others…so maybe it’s worse than cable)
eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly so you need less sleep (uh, don’t actually have personal experience with this, but I’ve heard it works)
er, those are all my ideas at the moment.
when i moved into my new flat this year, they already had paid for the tv license, but we rang up and cancelled it, because it would just have sucked all my remaining time away… i can honestly say I don’t miss it. though an extra $50 would be amazing…
I’ve never had cable. I didn’t grow up with it, and watching it every few months (usually in a hotel on a trip) cures me of my desire to subscribe.
Watching cable feels for a couple hours, to me, like eating MacDonalds three times in a single day. Yeacccch.
I don’t have cable or even a tv, but I’d say the internet and blogging is more expensive and detrimental to my own “real-world” life, if I let it get out of control. The internet is more intellectually stimulating and engaging than TV. There are websites for geeks like me that talk about how shock waves are formed and how to build an oxygen-propane cannon.
http://www.designnews.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6451557&industryid=43664
Yeah, and the $57/month that I spend on internet access isn’t exactly cheap… but I get free long distance so I can talk to my family/friends in OR, AZ, OH and France, etc. I have a list of excuses a mile long as to why I spend $115/month ($1380/year) on internet, wireless and landline services. That’s almost enough money to sponsor 4(!) more kids through CFCA/Compassion/World Vision (96%, 90% and 82% of the required funds to be exact). 4 kids could eat and get an education, etc. on what I spend on telephone/internet access. It does make me wonder if all that is really necessary.
MB
Shoot me now. I like cable and I like Clay Aiken’s music.
So do I, Dave. So do I!! In fact, I just went to a Clay Aiken concert tonight. He was awesome!! And right now I am watching cable.
Rebels.
Rock on Shaun. My wife and I have not had cable for over 3 yrs now and it both rocks and stinks. I too like mythbusters…and look forward to it when we go visit my folks…but I would agree that it has freed up some time in money…but now I need to get rid of the DVD player…maybe even netflix..GASP!
“Are you comparing yourself to cable?”
NEWS BREAK: Sean Groves announces that he, like Cable, is telling readers “to be angry and self-absorbed, told me to hurt people who hurt me, to cheat on my wife, told me to buy stuff and do stuff without questioning…I’d call that person evil. At least a bad influence. I would.”
Seriously, though–Cable has the potential for both good and evil, I think. Personally, I’m a huge fan of “social entertainment”–that is, watching TV and playing games (video and otherwise) together, in a way that involves a lot of discussion and builds stronger friendships/marriages. I know it’s not what most people do with TV and movies, but I wish it was.
That said, I only have cable because it’s free with the rent.
Cali Amy said: stay off the internet (a bigger time sucker than tv for me and lots of people…I recently read an article that said people spend more time on the computer than with their significant others…so maybe it’s worse than cable)
I echo Amy’s comment 100%. I refuse to get a blackberry, iPhone or use my wi-fi when I’m with my family and even though I check Shlog and use the computer for work, I think e-mail and the internet takes more time than anything else. I’ve got to go and get off my computer now.
We have the limited basic package: the networks, a couple of local channels, and a few others for $12/mo. I think you have to ask for it. It’s not listed online or anything.
Right now, I keep up with Heroes, The Office, and maybe can catch a game or two on the weekend.
I don’t think we’re missing anything, even from the “educational” channels. I don’t plan to turn an old jalopy into a lawn mower anytime soon.
But SHAUN -
If I cancel the CABLE I won’t have any daily purpose for my $3200 84” plasma TV with the Studio surround sound and the whole $24,000 “private theatre” adddition coplete with leather reclining massage chairs that we put on the back of our mobile home last summer…
That’s funny, RevJeff.
We cancelled our satellite subscription last year, and I can’t say I’ve missed it too often (except when my college football team is playing on ESPN!). We still get the regular networks with the antenna, and that’s mostly what we watch anyway. But you’re right…there isn’t very much wholesome prime time TV you can watch anymore. I’m scared to even have the TV on with the kids awake. I can’t believe what they show before 9pm (Heroes, CSI, etc.). When I do turn the TV on for the kids, they’re fine with either PBS or a DVD. They haven’t once complained about not having Disney or Nickelodeon. The kid networks have WAY too many advertisements…at least you don’t have to worry about that with PBS. Our kids are getting enough marketing thrown at them as it is. That’s something that we can control.
Now I just need to use the money we’re saving to sponsor another child. We’ve been so rewarded by sponsoring our first one. Great post, Shaun!