Finding Contentment

5 reasons we are giving up our DVR

My husband and I just made a decision that to some may seem trivial, but to us is a very big step. We will be letting go of cable t.v. - gasp! Our hope is that by cutting out this bill, we will not only be able to save the $70 a month we were spending for digital cable, but will be encouraged to lead simpler lives more dependent on less worldly things.

This may make some of you die-hard homesteaders roll your eyes, but we really love our digital cable. My husband and I love the Home and Garden Network, DIY, the History channel and Discovery. And the kids love the Disney Channel and a couple of other kid-centered channels. But most of all, we love our DVR (digital video recorder). With it, we can watch whatever show we want, when we want. If a great show comes on during Cub Scout night, the DVR records the entire season without us ever having to remember. And if the phone rings during a good show, we can pause live t.v.

Okay, now I'm finished sounding like a commerical and can tell you my reasons for having it cut off, in no particular order.

1. If we, as homesteaders, are trying to reduce our dependence on mass-produced items, shouldn't that include 900 channels that are broadcast into millions of homes in America?
2. The fact that I think today's children, mine in particular, have become too dependent on television for entertainment and can no longer find ways to entertain themselves. I have discovered that sometimes my kids would rather be inside watching t.v. than outside kicking a ball around on a beautiful day. Whatever happened to climbing trees and discovering grubby caterpillars?
3. And now to turn the microscope on the adults. If I'm sure my kids have become too reliant on television, haven't we as adults? I know the kids will be quiet and stay out of my hair if I turn certain shows on. Which shows that we as parents have in effect, created the problem. I have often been guilty of doing what today's parents are often accused of:  using the television as a babysitter.
4. Not only am I keeping them from finding their own entertainment, I am exposing them to the world's advertising scams. Even the best shows have commericials that tell our kids they MUST have the latest sugary cereal. Then I wonder why they are always asking for this and that!
5. That $70 a month bill! I just realized that it made absolutely no sense to try to be saving pennies by using cloth napkins instead of paper ones if we were spending that much to sit in front a television and veg out. Now that I think about it, we really cannot afford that bill. And I now realize that it is a luxury, and shouldn't fall under "neccesary utility bills." I consider water and power neccesities. Cable is not. (I don't want to think about the phone right now.)

The next time I go to pay bills (in about a week), I will take the DVR to the cable company and turn it in, and I will tell them I no longer be using their services. So wish me luck - now I have to go tell the kids!

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11:05 PM, Tuesday, March 27, 2007 .. Posted by meme21713

In my house hold, telling the cable company would be a breeze, but at home it would be a different story...lol...If that is what you need to become what you want your family to be then "You go GIRL" !!! HATS off to you.....Debbie

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11:43 PM, Tuesday, March 27, 2007 .. Posted by Rhen

You go! We have considered it many times but never took that step.
~Rhen

cable

07:49 AM, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 .. Posted by findingcontentment

Thanks for the support! I'll let you know how it goes.

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01:45 PM, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 .. Posted by crewchief

Congrats! I have to tell you, 2 years ago we were HOOKED on TV. I mean, there was a show every single night that would just "couldn't" miss. We decided we were through with the addiction and cut it out.

I can't even begin to tell you what a difference it made. Our kids played outside more, we read more books, we played more boards games together. It was awesome.

The kids still soak up as much TV as they can when we visit my parents, but we don't watch any at home. We can *sort of* pick up 1 channel here and sometimes Hubby will watch the news, but that is once every couple of weeks at the most.

I love it!

Way to go

10:18 PM, Friday, March 30, 2007 .. Posted by Chas

WAY TO GO!!!!! We gave up ours a good while back! You can do it!! It will benefit you all!!!!!!

Blessings,
Chas

I know I didn't roll my eyes:)

12:49 AM, Saturday, March 31, 2007 .. Posted by TeaFlower

Don't feel like your the only one out there! Our family hasn't had cable for a few years now, and look we're still here! I remember when we did have cable, I think it was just one up from basic, but we got some good channels, I was sorry to see it go..but I really don't miss it. If we had cable right now, we wouldn't get half of what we do get done, done. Mom and I would do nothing but watch the Cooking shows and the Home channels. We used to love getting TVLand (this may sound weird, but yes I loved Nick@Nite) all the old shows like I Love Lucy (our fav), so we just started buying the seasons for what shows we like, and no commercials;) And hey, I like watching my news on the internet anyway, I can weed out what I do and don't want to hear. We have those bunny ear things if we want the ONE local news channel, usually for emergency weather or something like that. Safer for your kids too, there's way to much trash on TV. Horray for you!
~*~Jessica~*~

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06:44 AM, Monday, April 2, 2007 .. Posted by chimicole

Oh! I would LOVE to go this route and give it up!
Wouldn't bother me in the least, but hubby thinks giving up his "cowboy" channel shouldn't be allowed! LOL!
I'd rather be on the computer or doing house things anyday!