We ditched our cable subscription about a year ago, and the benefits have been rolling in ever since—though not in the ways we expected. Honestly, we just didn’t find it necessary anymore. With our Roku providing seamless access to platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and Amazon Prime, plus a trusty HDTV antenna for catching live broadcasts, we realized cable was simply redundant. I’m not particularly attached to local teams, so I usually head out to the bar to catch my Dolphins on game days. As for my wife, she has a strict no-baseball rule, which made that a non-issue.
Initially, we thought we’d miss our DVR, but with everything available to stream on demand, it quickly became irrelevant. After escaping the clutches of Time-Warner’s clunky, overpriced cable packages—seriously, when will you offer a la carte options, cable companies?—we started saving money. Even with a few subscription services, our expenses were down, but the real hidden gem of cord-cutting was yet to be discovered.
Ad-Free Mornings
Remember those Saturday mornings spent glued to the TV, lost in a world of cartoons? And how those shows bombarded you with toy ads, making you beg your parents for the latest gimmicks? Well, now that we’ve ditched cable, my kids are blissfully ad-free. They learn about toys from friends at school, during playdates, or while shopping at Target—no more relentless commercials!
Sure, I can’t pretend my son doesn’t learn about toys through other avenues—he definitely does. And while TV shows will inevitably find sneaky ways to promote merchandise, it’s a relief not to worry about him being seduced by an ad for a gimmicky toy after seeing it repeatedly during his favorite shows.
Reflecting on Childhood
Think back to your own childhood and the countless times you pestered your parents for a toy just because of an ad. I still remember being obsessed with a remote-controlled truck called “The Claw,” designed to conquer tough terrain. The commercial was so convincing! When I eventually saw the toy in person, it was a total letdown. I blame TV for that.
Thanks to streaming, most of our viewing is commercial-free. My son’s confusion at my parents’ house during a commercial break is almost comical; he immediately wants whatever overhyped, noisy, and overpriced toy is being advertised. I quickly have to tell him no, which leads to some spirited discussions with my parents over their TV habits, usually accompanied by a glass of bourbon.
The Advantages of Cord-Cutting
Without cable, while there’s still some yelling (let’s be honest), there’s significantly less awareness about the latest toys. This has proven to be a tremendous advantage. Not only do we save money by eliminating cable and opting for a few affordable subscriptions, but we also cut down on my son’s exposure to those ridiculous toys he’d toss aside after just two weeks of play.
It’s much like how I would have ended up with The Claw if my parents had given in. I still want it, though.
Additional Resources
For more on navigating parenthood, check out our post on home insemination kits and explore the excellent resource on infertility for supportive information. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, visit Make A Mom.
Conclusion
In summary, cutting cable has enriched our lives in ways we never anticipated, especially by shielding my children from the constant barrage of advertisements. We save money and reduce the chances of them wanting toys that quickly lose their appeal, making parenting just a little bit easier.