Moving to Chicago made us many things – but two huge cuts happened for me. I am car free (wooooooohooooo) and cable free. And while the car free portion of this deal hasn’t been so bad…the cable free portion ebbs and flows.
Pros of being cable free:
- I still maintain Hulu and Netflix subscriptions. And with my genius boyfriend setting up our Mac mini connected to our 40″ TV, I don’t have to worry about watching on a teeny tiny screen.
- More time to read and explore Chicago – rather than glued to some ridiculous show.
- I’ve actually discovered more new shows without cable than I would have with cable. I’ve gotten into FOX’s Lie to Me, and I’ve been watching more 20/20 and Nightly News than ever before, as it’s readily available on Hulu.
- I’ve seen more movies – both in the theater and on Netflix. It was fun to watch the Golden Globes having seen almost every nominated film.
- Can’t forget the money. Taking our Comcast bill from $115 to $25 is pretty awesome. Internet only, kids.
Cons of being cable free:
- The shows that aren’t on Hulu. Names, Oprah, everything on OWN, and American Idol…to name a few. Specifically American Idol. The auditions are my favorite part of the season, and I was really looking forward to J-Lo and Steven. Sad face.
- There are only so many times a week you can scroll through Netflix looking for a movie before it makes you want to give up and die without entertainment.
- Getting addicted to shows that are 3-4 seasons in….which means I could (and may or may not have) watch 30+ episodes of Lie to Me in less than a week…..hmmmm.
- No DVR. Nuff said.
So what’s the verdict? Will I go back to a car? No way! Will I go back to cable…..ummmm, maybe. Ask me again next month.
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
I've been cableless and carless before. Currently have both but I'm thinking of cutting the cord. I like having my car for grocery shopping. If you're interested I do have a blog in which I review random movies I find streaming on Netflix. I love that service.