Cord cutting is a hot topic, and no, it’s nothing new, but it’s recently been gaining attention and making headlines. The question we constantly hear is: Does cutting the cord really save you money? The short answer is… YES! Let us explain.

So, now let’s get down to the numbers. Let’s say the average cable bill is $103 a month. That is $1236 a year you would save when cancelling your cable bill. Now, what items do you need to create the ultimate cord-cutters dream setup?

1. An antenna
   TV antennas range in price from $30 to $200. It all depends on where you live, where the TV towers are in your area, and what antenna would work best for your specific needs. Choosing the right antenna is essential to getting the best reception. Our Connection Crew is happy and eager to help (seriously, they love getting phone calls and helping customers cut the cord – they get downright giddy). The Connection Crew will analyze your exact location, where your broadcast towers are located, any surrounding potential obstacles, the type of dwelling you are in (apartment, townhouse, range, 2-story, etc.) and will help you determine what TV antenna will work best for YOU.

   Remember, a TV Antenna is a one-time purchase. Once it’s purchased, you’ll never be charged again. With an antenna from Antennas Direct, you’ll also have a lifetime warranty. Tornado comes through and rips your ClearStream 2MAX off your roof? We’ll replace it, no questions asked. A possessed raccoon ends up on your roof, wreaking havoc, and throws your antenna into the neighbor’s yard? That’s a pretty talented raccoon, we recommend calling animal control, and no worries, we’ll replace the antenna.

2. Basic Streaming Services
   Streaming services are absolutely amazing and continue to get better all the time as new content is developed and more cord cutters flock to the services. Of course, there’s Netflix ($10.99-13.99 a month), Hulu ($7.99 a month) and Amazon Prime Video ($99 a year or $8.25 a month). Many folks have AT LEAST one of these streaming services, even while paying for cable or satellite. Between these streaming services and the live, broadcast television you’ll get with your TV antenna, you have WAY more movies and TV shows than you will ever know what to do with! You could go on an extreme binge-watching marathon for 3 months straight and never make a dent in all of the content available (not that we are encouraging this behavior, it’s nice to get outside and socialize with humans on occasion). What we mean to say is, so many people are paying for expensive cable channels they never end up watching, and sometimes even forget they have, because most often they watch programs using streaming services! You probably wouldn’t even notice the cable or satellite was gone, if not for the huge amounts of money you’d be saving with a HDTV antenna.
3. Advanced Streaming Services
   If you’re someone who loves HBO shows like Game of Thrones, you might be interested in HBO Now. HBO Now lets you watch episodes immediately when they air for $14.99 a month. Sling TV is a nice option for folks who love sports and want a select few cable channels without having to pay an outrageous fee for the surplus of channels they won’t watch. Sling TV is $20 a month and gets you networks like ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, FX, AMC, TNT, History, Comedy Central, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Disney, Nick Jr., CNN, BBC World News, MSNBC and much, much more.

To decide if cutting the cord is right for you and your family, add up how much your monthly payments would be with just your chosen Streaming Services, without the cost of your current cable bill. If you’re like the average household, you’ll pick a few of these and STILL be saving a boatload of money!

Here’s an example from our dear friend, Erica in St. Louis, who has been a cord-cutter for 3 years.

She pays for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Sling TV. When she had cable, she already had Amazon Prime (who doesn’t love free shipping?) and Netflix, so, with cable, she was paying over $150 a month. Now, on average, she pays less than $50 a month! Add the one-time cost of her TV antenna (a ClearStream 2MAX) at $79.99, she’s saving over $1,000 a year including streaming services. She’s a smart cookie. We like Erica.

So, now the big question: what will you do with all that money you saved? Year after year, that extra cash will add up and you’ll be a very wealthy man or woman. Your financial planner will be so proud!