Here it is—the post we promised all about cutting the cable cord and how much we’re saving as a result. As self-described TV lovers, we’ve often collapsed on the couch after a day of painting, organizing, or spackling and watched some shows. So when everyone started talking about ditching cable, we didn’t think we’d be good candidates—especially since many of the channels Sherry loves (mostly Bravo) weren’t easy to get outside a traditional cable package.
After repeated frustrations with our cable provider and a monthly bill that climbed from $99 to $169 over four years, we became determined to make a change. It was a long, winding process, but we recently landed on a setup that slightly changed our viewing habits while producing BIG savings—about $950 a year (details below). Here’s how we did it.
The Situation
First, here’s where we started—both in terms of service and needs. We’d been on a Verizon Fios bundle for nearly seven years: cable, internet, and a landline bundled together. We originally signed up for an attractive new-customer rate and managed to renew at that price a couple times. But in the last year our bill crept up to almost $170 per month. That didn’t include premium channels like HBO, but it did include DVR service and an extra DVR box for our upstairs bonus room.
Our viewing habits had actually narrowed over time. Most of what we recorded on our DVR fell into four categories:
- Bravo shows (Sherry’s constant favorite)
- Competition and reality shows like The Bachelor, Survivor, and Shark Tank
- Primetime dramas such as The Walking Dead, This Is Us, and Scandal
- Kids’ movies recorded from channels like Freeform, FX, and Disney
Missing from that list was lots of random live TV we used to flip to (HGTV or Discovery) and, more importantly, Netflix. We aren’t daytime TV watchers, big sports fans, or nightly-news people. We figured our needs were simple and should be easy to satisfy—but we ran into a few hurdles, which follow.
Hurdle #1: We Needed a Home Phone
Cutting the landline seemed like the obvious way to reduce costs. But cell service is spotty where we live, and our alarm system required a reliable connection. That made a landline feel necessary. We searched for cheaper landline alternatives but found little savings; many a la carte options were expensive, which is why people cling to bundles.
Hurdle #2: Unbundling Isn’t Always Much Cheaper
We called Verizon and asked for a phone-plus-internet plan without cable. We expected a big chunk of savings by removing cable. Instead, quotes varied and dropping cable looked like it would only save around $20–$30 per month. Adding a cable-replacement streaming service would largely erase that savings.
Hurdle #3: Bravo
Because our household watches a lot of Bravo, any new TV service had to include it. Many popular streaming services like Hulu, Amazon, and Apple TV didn’t include Bravo as part of their baseline subscriptions—only limited on-demand access or pay-per-season options, which could be more expensive overall. Keeping Sherry happy meant finding a service with Bravo included.
After hearing suggestions from listeners and doing more research, and with help from one determined Verizon representative, we found a viable approach.
Cable Solution: Roku + PlayStation Vue
Update: We’ve since switched to Sling for price reasons, but the approach described here explains how we transitioned. We bought two Roku units to replace our Verizon cable boxes. Roku is a one-time purchase (no monthly fee); it streams content from the internet to your TV. Alternatives include Amazon Fire, Chromecast, and Apple TV, but we picked Roku for a simple, impartial interface that doesn’t push content from a single storefront.
We initially used Roku for Netflix and other streaming apps. Many channel apps let you log in using a cable provider ID to access additional content; removing Verizon would have taken that away. Then we discovered PlayStation Vue, a streaming service that looks and feels like live cable and includes Bravo. For $29.99 a month (Access Slim package) we could stream about 45 live channels, plus on-demand content. Sling and other services can be cheaper depending on needs, but PS Vue fit our channel lineup at the time.
PlayStation Vue feels more like Netflix than traditional cable; it’s organized by shows and on-demand menus. You can build a “Your Shows” list similar to a DVR, but we often use our PlayStation Vue credentials to log into channel apps like Bravo or HGTV directly from Roku. That frequently requires fewer clicks and offers the channels’ native interfaces.
Phone Solution: Ooma
One of the best suggestions we received was Ooma. It routes calls over the internet and offers free unlimited nationwide calling, charging only taxes and fees (about $5.06 per month for us). It works with our existing cordless phone and required a small one-time purchase of the Ooma Telo box. The transition felt seamless and saved money immediately.
We also replaced our alarm system with one that can use cell signals reliably, which removed the last dependency on a traditional landline.
Internet Solution: Negotiated Verizon Fios Rate
With phone and TV sorted, we focused on lowering internet costs. Sherry spent time calling Verizon and Comcast and learned that having a specific competitor quote was key. Comcast offered 75 Mbps for $59 as an introductory rate. Armed with that specific quote, Sherry called Verizon and secured a competitive offer: $54/month for two years. That rate sealed the deal and made the overall plan financially worthwhile.
The Savings
Here’s how our monthly costs now break down (Netflix remained unchanged and is not included):
- Television (PlayStation Vue): $29.99
- Phone (Ooma): $5.06
- Internet (Verizon): $54.99
- New Monthly Total: $90.04
- Monthly Savings: About $78.96
- Annual Savings: About $947.52
We did have some upfront equipment costs that reduce the first-year net savings:
- Two Roku units: $180
- Ooma Telo box: $80
- Wi‑Fi extender: $30
- New Equipment Total: $290
That equipment cost reduces the first year’s net savings somewhat, but in less than four months the monthly savings cover the equipment outlay, and everything after that is pure gain.
Other Benefits
Beyond the financial gains, cutting the cable shifted our viewing habits. Without an ever-growing DVR queue, we’re more selective about what we watch. The “pause” between deciding to record or stream something has reduced habitual viewing. We miss less material and tend to choose shows we truly want to watch rather than checking off items on a list.
The Cons
There was a short adjustment period—mostly the change in interface. Rokus don’t use infrared, so we couldn’t use our old IR extender setup to hide boxes. The Roku is small and tucks away easily, though; it can be controlled over Wi‑Fi and hidden in a drawer if needed.
Commercials came back in some cases because fast-forwarding isn’t always available through ad-supported channel apps. We’ve adapted by using those ad breaks to do quick chores or by using Roku’s “Your Shows” feature to record and fast-forward later, which effectively replicates DVR functionality.
Another minor downside is network-exclusive content. For example, CBS content like Survivor may require CBS’s standalone service, which is an extra cost. We sometimes buy seasons a la carte or use alternatives when necessary. Availability can also vary by region for services like PlayStation Vue.
The Verdict
We’re thrilled with the result. The annual savings may not be life changing, but they add up—enough for a nice family trip over a few years. More importantly, freeing ourselves from the bundle feels empowering. Except for our internet contract, none of these services lock us into long commitments, so we can try different options as they become available.
Cutting the cable required some research and small investments, but it delivered immediate monthly savings and a healthier relationship with what we choose to watch. If your goal is to reduce costs and tailor your TV experience, it’s worth exploring similar combinations of streaming TV, internet-based phone service, and negotiated internet rates.
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