Here it is: the post we promised about cutting the cable cord and how much we’re saving as a result. As self-described TV lovers, we used to collapse on the couch after a long day of projects and settle in with some good television. Even so, with so many of the channels Sherry loves (primarily Bravo) historically bundled into traditional cable packages, we didn’t think we’d be strong candidates for cord-cutting. That changed after repeated frustrations with our cable provider and a steadily rising bill.
Over four years our bill climbed from about $99 to nearly $169 per month. That didn’t include premium channels like HBO but did include DVR service and an extra DVR box for a bonus room. The rising cost pushed us to explore alternatives. After research, trial, and a few false starts, we landed on a setup that only slightly changed our viewing habits and saved us roughly $950 a year. Here’s how we did it and what we learned along the way.
The Situation
To start, here’s where we began and what we actually watch. We’d been on a bundled Verizon Fios plan for nearly seven years—cable, internet, and landline phone together. Our viewing habits had narrowed over time. Most of what we recorded on the DVR fell into these categories:
- Bravo programming (a household favorite)
- Reality and competition shows like The Bachelor, Survivor, Shark Tank
- Primetime dramas such as The Walking Dead and This Is Us
- Kids’ movies taped from channels like Freeform, FX, or Disney
We rarely watched live daytime TV, sports, nightly news, or streaming-only sitcom releases. We still used Netflix. With a focused set of needs, we assumed cord-cutting would be simple—but we ran into three main hurdles.
Hurdle #1: We Needed a Home Phone
Dropping the landline seemed like an obvious way to cut costs, but cell coverage in our area was spotty and our alarm system required a reliable connection. We looked into cheaper landline-only plans but found that a la carte pricing often eliminated most of the potential savings. We needed a reliable phone alternative that wouldn’t break the bank.
Hurdle #2: Unbundling Isn’t Always Much Cheaper
We asked Verizon for a phone + internet quote without cable, expecting a proportional drop in price. Instead, the savings looked like only $20–$30 per month. Once we factored in a streaming cable replacement service like Hulu or Sling, the numbers weren’t compelling. Unbundling alone wouldn’t produce the large savings we wanted unless we paired it with different solutions.
Hurdle #3: Bravo
Bravo was the dealbreaker. Channels like Bravo aren’t included in many streaming bundles, and while some services let you buy seasons or watch on demand, that can become expensive and inconvenient. Keeping Sherry happy meant finding a solution that included Bravo or gave easy access to Bravo’s streaming content.
Cable Solution: Roku + PlayStation Vue
We replaced our two Verizon cable boxes with two Roku streaming devices. Roku is a one-time hardware purchase and not a monthly service. It streams content over your internet connection to your TV and supports apps for Netflix, Hulu, and many networks’ own channels. We preferred Roku for its simple interface and neutral approach to content.
To replace live cable, we signed up for PlayStation Vue’s entry-level package at the time, which included Bravo and dozens of other channels for an affordable monthly fee. PlayStation Vue acts like a streaming cable provider: it offered live channels plus on-demand content and let us log in to network apps on our Roku. The interface takes a bit of getting used to, as it works more like Netflix or on-demand menus than traditional channel surfing. We found it intuitive after a short adjustment period.
Phone Solution: Ooma
For a home phone replacement we chose Ooma, a VoIP service that routes calls over our internet connection. Ooma offered free unlimited nationwide calling with only taxes and fees on the monthly statement. The setup required an Ooma Telo device that plugs into your modem, then into your existing cordless phone. The change felt seamless and saved a significant monthly amount compared to our previous landline plan.
Internet Solution: Negotiating Verizon Fios
With TV and phone covered, our remaining task was lowering internet costs. We shopped competitors and secured a specific Comcast quote for equivalent speed. Armed with that quote, we called Verizon and negotiated a matched or better rate. The comparative offer was the key; Verizon provided a lower promotional rate to keep us as customers. This negotiation dramatically improved the final monthly total.
The Savings
Here’s how the numbers looked for our new monthly spend compared to the old bundled cable bill (the old cable portion was roughly $169/month):
- Television (PlayStation Vue): $29.99
- Phone (Ooma taxes/fees): $5.06
- Internet (Verizon negotiated rate): $54.99
- New Monthly Total: $90.04
- Monthly Savings: approximately $78.96
- Annual Savings: approximately $947.52
We did have up-front equipment costs: two Roku devices, an Ooma Telo, and a small Wi‑Fi extender to boost signal to our bonus room. Those expenses reduced first‑year savings but were recouped in a few months of lower monthly bills. After that break-even point, the ongoing savings feel like pure benefit.
The Other Pro
Beyond money, cord-cutting changed our viewing habits. With DVRs gone, we stopped piling up a long to-watch list and felt less compelled to watch shows out of obligation. We now make more intentional choices about what to watch. The extra step to find a show has reduced passive viewing and made our TV time more deliberate.
Now, The Cons
The changes weren’t without trade-offs. The experience differs from traditional cable, which could be confusing to some visitors. Streaming apps often include commercials you can’t skip unless you use DVR-like recording features some services offer. Certain networks or shows may require separate subscriptions (for example, CBS content availability varies by service and region), so a few programs could be harder or more expensive to access.
We also had to adapt to hardware placement and remote control differences, but those were minor compared with the financial and lifestyle benefits.
The Verdict
After the initial work of research, setup, and negotiation, we reached a configuration that significantly cut costs while preserving the shows we care about. The annual savings are meaningful and the flexibility of streaming services lets us change providers if better options appear. For our household, cord-cutting delivered budget relief and a healthier relationship with television.