5 More Ways to Survive Without Cable

Giving up cable isn't as hard as it seems - nor is it as horrific. Just as you would go about trying to quit any addiction, it takes skill, patience, and plenty of other distractions.

1. Stock up on DVDs. While getting rid of cable is one thing, it is still important to have a good movie collection for the times you really want to just sit in front of the TV, rest, not think and be entertained. Instead of paying for cable buy yourself two new movies a month.

2. Utilize your local public library. Of course there are still going to be shows you're interested in and desire to watch, but if you're willing to wait until after the season is over, you can rent the entire season once it's been released on DVD, for free, from most public libraries. Not only would you be saving money for cable, but you would also be saving money on buying or renting the DVDs as well as having something to watch during the summer re-run season.

3. Go to a sports bar. If you're a sports fan who doesn't like missing a game, find a local sports bar you can go to when there's a game playing. You don't always have to spend a lot of money, or drink in excess, when you go to the bar. Order a soda, enjoy all the other fans you're surrounded by and watch the game, or games, depending on the time of day. Part of the fun of watching sports is to do so with friends and other sports fans, which makes the activity far more enjoyable and forces you to spend time outside of the house.

4. Learn to enjoy the quiet. Many people use the TV as a way to avoid loneliness. While sitting alone at home can get lonely and excessively quiet, you'll find that the more it's off, the more quiet you can handle. There's a certain amount of peace that comes from quiet, and finding yourself able to hear your own thoughts that are drowned out by the cable. What you find when you sit alone is a way to hear your own thoughts and ultimately devise ways to drown your thoughts out in a quiet room.

5. Spend time with your family. Watching TV as a family has grown to be seen as quality time with your spouse, kids, etc., but in reality it's not true time together. Yes, you're watching the same thing and you're doing something together, but you're not really communicating, you're not interacting, you're simply staring at the same picture on TV. You'll find if you turn the TV off and spend time actually talking to your family, you'll have a better relationship with them and be interested in talking, and hearing about their day instead of simply pretending to as many people do.

Since television was invented and found its way into the family room and everyday lives of people, it's been hard to find a family without at least one. The repercussions of this have serious implications in the way people interact with each other and themselves, the way they spend their time and how they get their knowledge. The thought of not having cable is definitely a scary one, but it's one that can be overcome and one that can provide a new way of looking at and living in the world.

For five other suggestions, tips and tricks, please see the previous article, How to Survive Without Cable.

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