Get the details on how to lower your cable bill, find TV and internet deals, and more.
By Dave SchaferNov 8, 2022 | Share
What do you do if you want to keep your cable subscription but don’t want to pay big bucks for it? Or maybe you’re just looking for the best TV and internet deals around.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to lower your bill without sacrificing your favorite reality shows. From supplementing with other services to negotiating like a pro, read on to find out how to lower your cable bill.
Jump to:
We’ll start with the simplest tip: every couple months, take a few minutes and evaluate your usage. You might not need the fastest internet available or all those premium channels.
In particular, packages with large channel counts can add a lot to your bill. If you find you’re paying for features you don’t want or need anymore, drop them. Otherwise, they’re a waste of money.
Enter your zip code to find a package with just the right features for you:
If you don’t want to sacrifice your favorite shows, consider dropping to an internet-only package and getting a live TV streaming service or another lower-cost alternative.
Many cable providers offer internet-only packages that are fairly affordable. You could sign up for one to cover your internet service and then subscribe to a TV streaming service like Sling TV, Hulu, or Netflix to get the programming you want.
Most of these streaming services cost far less than cable TV, so subscribing to one of them as well as one of your current cable provider’s internet-only packages will less than a premium cable package.
Bundling services is a great way to save money, and it’s often more convenient as well. Why have two or three separate bills when you can just have the one?
But if you happen to have services at competing providers, this can also be a great opportunity to negotiate—many sales reps will offer discounted packages in an effort to get you to go all-in with their company.
By bundling TV and internet, you might save anywhere between $10 to $40 per month. To find out what bundles are available in your area, enter your zip code below.
While we normally consider a contract or service agreement to be a negative thing, the reality is many providers will offer discounted rates to customers willing to sign a one- or two-year agreement.
That’s because they are guaranteed to make a certain amount of money from you under a contract, thanks to Early Termination Fees (ETFs). Xfinity is one example of a provider that offers both contract and no-contract pricing—and yes, the contract pricing is less expensive.
If you expect to stick with one cable company for a while, it might be worth signing a contract to save some money. Typically, the difference between contract and no-contract pricing is around $10 per month, so it can really add up.
This applies to both competing providers and your current provider’s own offerings.
Cable providers frequently offer special TV and internet deals for new subscribers, and many times these include either more value for the money or cheaper prices. Switching providers to take advantage of one of these deals could easily make your monthly payment more manageable.
Keeping up with current TV and internet deals also gives you leverage during negotiations with your provider. It might be worth calling and asking why a loyal customer such as yourself can’t get the better rates you’ve seen offered to new customers.
To see what packages are available in your area, enter your zip code below.
Yes, it really could be that simple. Nearly every provider is willing to talk pricing, especially if you’re nearing the end of a service agreement and could potentially jump ship. Just call and ask what the rep can do for you. You might be surprised.
This does depend heavily on the service rep you get when you call. To maximize your chances, be extra nice. A little patience goes a long way. And if your first rep won’t offer any discounts, be prepared to call back until you get a rep willing to work with you
A lot of cable companies offer discounts to military members and their families, senior citizens, and low-income folks. Check out our free and low-income internet guide and these provider deals pages that might help you with your budget: