Anyone else given up TV?

[frugalmommie22]

Our family gave up TV two years ago. We did so because of the cost. Cable and Satillite was getting more expensive and we couldn't justify the costs. We also didn't like what we were seeing on the TV. Why should we pay to have images brought into our home that we don't approve of? It's one of the best choices we have made as a family. My children are 6 and 8. They don't miss it. My daughter went from bearly reading to being the top reader of her class. Both my kids attitudes have improved and they are more active. They still have a TV (the physical TV, not cable or rabbit ears or anything), so we once in awhile we will borrow a movie from the library or from a coupon and have a MOVIE night.

[kval07]

We just plugged in our tv about three weeks after moving. The only reason I even personally OWN a tv is because my parents got me one for Christmas when I was 17. I'm 25 and still have the same big huge clunker tv, lol. No flat screen here. I can watch it all day long once I turn it on, and I especially love trashy tv; i.e. MTV/VH1 reality shows. But I can go weeks and months, and a year + without a tv.

Now, talk to me about going without internet. No, don't. I'd sooner die than go without internet.

[pyxiedust]

We gave up satelite and I have to say it was a great decision for us. We connected our computer to the TV to use as a monitor and we watched just about everything we wanted to watch through the PC. The only problem was we didn't get stations like USA and Food Network. My 14 y/o daughter didn't miss it, she watches manga on Youtube and my toddler didn't miss it, because he didn't know he should have it.

After 9 mon we were offered a super deal on a bundle, and we took it. But, I'm not really that impressed. It seems like the toddler thinks he has to sit infront of the TV all the time and my day just seems interrupted with shows I don't really need to watch. I liked it better when I was in control, there was no cable and we relied on movies, broadcast TV, and websites to watch what we wanted.

[mom2lucas]

We went down to just the local channels because we couldn't justify the expense anymore. It costs us $10/month for 12 channels. We saved about $100/month by doing this and getting rid of the DVR and the extra box, etc. We watch most of our shows online, and we still get CW for Smallville for DH in the fall. It was beyond worth it.

[zoeys_mom]

Originally Posted by hellokittygirl I have lived quite happily for the past two years without a TV. It doesn't bother me! I'm a student and I just don't own one. If there is something I really want to watch, I can usually find it on the internet (like ABC full episodes or other networks) and on the plus side, I have more time to do things I NEED to do instead of wasting my time watching reality television! Now, when I go home to visit, I get bored and watch the TV sometimes but it's something I can live without pretty easily.

I have to laugh at this because the funny thing is, the first 2 yrs I spent in college I had NO tv in my room(apart from going down to the dorms common room and watching whatever the previous person was watching) and to tell you the truth, I didn't miss it! It had to be BY far the best years of my life. NO I was not blissfully happy, but I had REAL conversations with REAL people that are still my friends to this day(despite our differences in opinion). I cherish those memories and applaud you for finding other things to do with your time.
Now, tv for the most part is background noise or workout material. I still do not watch it full time even though I was raised on tv(I could actually tell you what show I was watching while I was doing certain subjects of homework in high school!) I am glad to break away and spend time on other things but I will admit, sometimes I still need tv to put me to sleep. I don't actually watch, but the background "white noise" helps me sleep at night

[foodie]

We don't have TV or satellite channels either. Since we have a farm and 6 kiddos, we don't miss it. We don't like the influence that the TV programs have over the family.

Life is too short to waste time watching TV for us. Also, we are a Mennonite farming family and don't have time to waste and love to read, sports, and other activities.

To each their own, I guess.

Foodie (Katie)

[ILv2Shop]

I couldn't give up tv because like Beth, I am a news hound.
I am dumping the phone though. With cell phones, it's a waste of money.

[gctattoo]

Nope, I couldn't live without my TV. In fact, we just upgraded our Dish Network package because it's Top Chef time again. :) We had downgraded for a few months because DH's hours at work were hampered by the economy. But with his job looking up lately and my need for Bravo, I don't have a problem paying a little extra for my viewing pleasure. It's cheaper than other entertainment we could be spending our money on.

[shetlandponyluvr]

Originally Posted by frugalmommie22 . We also didn't like what we were seeing on the TV. Why should we pay to have images brought into our home that we don't approve of? It's one of the best choices we have made as a family. My children are 6 and 8. They don't miss it. My daughter went from bearly reading to being the top reader of her class. Both my kids attitudes have improved and they are more active.

This is what we're hoping for. There's just too much 'junk' on the supposed kids channels these days, yo gabba gabba for instance. Holy moly what sadistic person came up with that? AGH! We're going to start our homeschooling year in a week or two, so it will be nice not to have the distraction of the TV.

[Sculpture Widow]

We don't have cable/satellite TV. It also seems I am also the only last person on the earth without a cell phone.

My kids get to watch PBS a couple times a week in the morning. Perhaps a show or two. Then, on Friday OR Saturday night we have "movie" night. My 5 year-old gets to pick the movie (and has to be okay for the 20-month-old, as well). When DH and I want to watch something, we will rent a movie.

My family can afford TV and another cell phone (DH has one because of his work), but we choose to spend that money on other things. (we should be SAVING more).

I would also love to know is what people pay for it (cable, satellite....do they pay for something like netflix, too?)

I know when I started asking friends & family what they were paying for cell phones....I was getting answers like $75, or $100, or more (for several people to have phones/service)....and all I could think was, "wow, I can have 2 tickets to Hawaii for the same as ONE year of cell phone service alone"....I'd rather have Hawaii"

DH and I would rather spend the money to travel, go to museums, and eat-out now & then (we limit that to a few times a month, too). Don't get me wrong, I love TV and movies. Sometimes I really miss them.

I'm sure that TV will be a battle of contention when my boys get older. :-)