Cutting Cable TV Alternatives! {12 Tips for Cutting the Cord}

Slash your monthly bills when you use these easy Cutting Cable TV Alternatives for Cutting the Cord!  Are you ready to save BIG?

If there’s one thing I’m always looking for more ways to do, it’s cut down on our monthly expenses.  The lower your monthly expenses, the lower your financial stress levels, right? 😉  One easy way to help your lower your costs this month is by Cutting Cable TV!   These Cutting Cable TV Alternatives will make it painless to take the leap for cutting the cord for good… seriously, you won’t miss cable {or that ridiculously huge cable bill} at all!

We pulled the plug on cable, ditched those big bills, and have been watching TV and our favorite movies for just a fraction of the cost for years now!  And let me tell you… I love not having that ugly ol’ cable cost in our monthly budget!  I can’t believe how much money we’re saving with these alternatives!

Check out my top tricks for how to watch your favorite shows and movies without Cable TV here…

Cutting Cable TV Alternatives

Tip #1: Cut the Cord for Sling TV! {my FAVORITE option}

Pick Your Favorite Channels a la Carte! {No Long Term Contracts}

Sign up with Sling TV as an inexpensive alternative to Cable and don’t miss any of your favorite channels.

I personally use Sling TV and LOVE it for the following reasons:

• No Long-Term Contracts
• I only pay for the channels you want – including HGTV, Hallmark, etc.
• I record my favorite movies and shows using the Cloud DVR, and never miss a thing!  Plus… that way I can fast forward through the commercials! 😉
• My guys love football, and can watch all of the games and football news on Sling either on ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network, and our local Fox station.
• Plus… you can get a FREE Roku Express when you prepay for 2 months here!

What your Frugal Friends are Saying about Sling:

Carolyn writes: “We us Sling TV for sports. It has ESPN among many other channels. That’s what we use so my husband can watch sports.  We are sitting here watching all the bowl games not missing anything. We cut the cord 3 years ago and it was the best decision.”

Amy writes: “For sports we have a Roku and use Sling TV.  It has ESPN as well as several cable channels like HGTV and TNT..and they have additional sports options”

Jasmine writes: “Sling TV 4 yrs and counting.  We don’t miss cable at all!”

Andee writes: “We cut the cord 2 years ago and got Sling. Never looked back”

Tip #2: Use Amazon Prime Channels to Watch 100+ Channels! {including Hallmark Movies Now}

Have you been wondering… how to watch hallmark channel without cable tv?  I’ve got the answer!  In addition to Sling TV, you can watch Hallmark movies on demand here on Amazon!

With Amazon Prime Channels, you’ll be able to pick and choose from 100 channels, and add on only those you’re interested in watching.

One of my favorite channels you can add on is Hallmark Movies Now!  It’s basically a bit like Netflix, only Hallmark movies on demand to watch when you want to!  Cozy socks, hot cocoa and a Hallmark movie?  Yes, please!

You can test it out with a Free Trial Here…

Tip #3: Watch HULU For FREE with Free Hulu Gift Cards!

Have you been wondering how to watch Hulu for Free?  I’ve got you covered with this easy way to earn Free Hulu Gift Cards!

Here’s what you’ll do to score Free Hulu TV…

• Sign up with Swagbucks using  promo code 100FRUGALGIRL for 100 FREE points right now.
• Earn Swagbucks and cash them out for Free Hulu Gift Cards!  I’ve been using Swagbucks for 10 years now, and LOVE it!
• To help you earn even more points for your Free HULU Gift Cards, I’ve put together 16 easy tips to help you earn as many Swagbucks as possible.
• Then use your Free Hulu Gift Cards you earn to apply to your Hulu account for FREE TV!

What your Frugal Friends are saying:

Patricia writes: “We used to have cable but now we don’t, and we don’t miss it…we have internet which means we have Netflix and Hulu”

Cara writes: “Switched to Netflix and Hulu 5 years ago.”

Tip #4: Watch Free TV with a Digital TV Antenna!

We’ve used digital antennas for years in the past, and loved them!  They’re so much better than the old ‘bunny ears’ of the past… no static, just a nice clear picture!  Just in keep in mind, you’ll only have access to the basic channels.  If you’re looking for cable channels, I’d recommend using Sling TV.

3 Tips for a Weak Signal:

1. Move your Digital Antenna higher and closer to a window.  If your antenna is having trouble picking up a signal, it may be as simple as just placing it up higher above obstructions.
2. Purchase a Longer Antenna Cable if your antenna needs extra length to move higher or closer to the window.
3. Add an Amplifier or Booster to your Antenna for an even better signal.

Free TV Channels in your Area:

I was surprised to find out how many FREE TV Channels were available after setting up my digital tv antenna!  It really is such a great resource for FREE tv shows and movies!

Indoor Digital TV Antennas

What your Frugal Friends are saying:

Janet writes: “About 2 years ago I realized how much we spent a year on cable so I got rid of my cable service. I don’t miss cable. We have antennas now.”

Karen writes: “Got rid of my cable last May and don’t regret it one bit!”

Shelia writes: “We have an antenna and we are fine.”

Patti writes: “We cut the cord in October and are now Over The Air only – and we get a ton of channels. Not spending over $100 a month for cable feels good mentally and financially.”

Rachel writes: “I cut my cable two years ago and I don’t miss it”

Lori writes: “No cable bill in this house hold for the past 3 years and we love it…”

Sherri writes: “We cut the cable in October 2013, and have’t missed a thing. I can see a lot of the things I want on TV websites, I have a digital antenna for local stations, and I have Netflix. The truth is we don’t watch a lot of TV, and it saves a lot of money that we would rather use on something else.  We use the money we save for other entertainment, or home projects that we enjoy a lot more than TV. It really does add up, especially if you look at the yearly savings.”

Tip #5: Or Stream Your Local Broadcast for Free with Locast!

Locast is a newer service, and isn’t available everywhere yet, but it’s definitely worth checking out to see if this free streaming is offered in your city.  Visit Locast.com for more information.

Tip #6: Stream Free Cable TV Shows Online!

Unlocked episodes of your favorite cable shows and standard stations can often be watched on the station’s website for free!  You can watch from your phone using your home Wifi signal, watch from your laptop, or plug your computer straight into your TV!

How to Watch Cable Shows for Free:

• Free Food Network TV
• Free HGTV Shows

How to Watch Broadcast TV for Free:

• Free ABC Shows
• Free NBC Shows

Or check out Pluto.com for more free channels!

What your Frugal Friends are saying:

Beth writes: “We cut out pay TV 5-6 years ago AND have no home based internet; just the data plan on my prepay cell.”

Lee writes: “No cable here but have internet. Doing just fine for 4 years”

Nicole writes: “I cut the cord and have zero regrets.”

Amanda writes: “I like Pluto TV – sorta like cable yet stations vary.”

Andee writes: “Get Pluto Tv free – it gives you a ton of tv and movie options”

Tip #7: Watch Free NFL Football!

There’s no need to miss your favorite team’s football game!

3 Ways to Watch Football Games for Free:

1. Watch games on Fox, ABC, or NBC using your Digital TV Antenna
2. Stream select Free NFL Games on Twitter
3. If you’re a Verizon customer, Watch Free NFL Games on your Phone – if you use Verizon for your cell service, download the NFL Mobile App, turn your data off and connect to your home’s wifi to save data, and watch games live for free!

While you’re on Twitter… be sure to come Follow The Frugal Girls on Twitter, too!  I’d love to tweet with you!

Tip #8: Use Free Amazon Gift Cards to Watch Current TV Seasons with a TV Pass!

Now on occasion, I’ll splurge for a current airing season and buy the TV pass on Amazon using Free Amazon Gift Cards I’ve earned from Swagbucks!

RELATED: Best Ways to Earn Swagbucks {cash them in for Free Amazon gift cards!}

How it works is like this: The show will air on the cable tv station, then the following day you can watch it on Amazon!  I simply load it up on my laptop, plug my laptop into my TV, and I’ve got the new current show of that season to watch each week!

Just head to Amazon, search for your favorite TV show on the Instant Video category, and see if the TV Pass is available!  Right now I have the TV Pass for the current season of Fixer Upper, and look forward to the new episode each week!

Tip #9: Use Free Amazon Gift Cards to Buy DVDs!

Buy the Movies and Shows you love on DVD, so you can watch them again and again!  Simply use your Free Amazon Gift Cards you’ve earned from Swagbucks, to score your favorite DVD’s for Free!  {see How to Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards}  I earn several each month, and use them to get my favorite movies on DVD for Free!

RELATED: Best Chick Flick Movies of All Time

RELATED: Greatest Christmas Movies List

Tip #10: Watch Free TV and Movies with Amazon Prime!

If you’ve already got a Free Amazon Prime Membership, you’ve got access to thousands of free Movies and TV Shows!  {seriously… there were 33,000 free ones to watch the last time I checked}

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Login into your Amazon Prime Account {or Get a Free Amazon Prime 30 Day Trial}
• Click on the ‘Amazon Video’ section
• Select ‘Movies’ or ‘TV’
• Then select ‘Included with Prime’.

You’ll be able to watch any TV Shows or Movies for FREE that state: ‘$0.00 Watch with a Prime membership”  How cool is that?

What your Frugal Friends are saying:

Nicole writes: “I finally cut the cord last year and my monthly bill went from $140+/month to $10.99/month. No more contract negotiation or outages.  Amazon Prime has an annual fee, however, the perks are endless: free shipping on all Prime orders, free Prime ebooks, emagazines, music, streaming movies & tv shows, and so much more.”

Tip #11: Watch Redbox Movies for FREE with Free Redbox Gift Cards!

To score Redbox Gift Cards, sign up today with Swagbucks using promo code 100FRUGALGIRL for 100 FREE points right now.  To help you earn even more points for your Free Redbox Gift Cards, I’ve put together 16 easy tips to help you earn as many Swagbucks SB points as possible.

Using Swagbucks, you can watch Redbox movies for FREE!

Tip #12: Turn the TV off and cozy up with a book instead!  Add ambience with an Electric Wall Mount Fireplace!

See… Cutting Cable TV isn’t as hard as you think!  I’ve been doing it for years, and honestly don’t miss cable one bit.  There are SO many easy ways to watch your favorite shows now for Free or Cheap!  Talk about an easy way to save BIG on your monthly budget!

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So have you tried any of these Cutting Cable TV Alternatives yet?

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