Welcome to the new age of technology, where cutting the cord is the way to go. What do we mean by this? Basically, get rid of your cable company.

We’ve all been there. Fighting with the cable company reps on the phone, asking why our bill has gone up when nothing new has been purchased. Only to find ourselves in a screaming match with a stranger and a new shiny cable bill expense. Modern technology has made the way we view our entertainment easier than ever, but with a little research and effort we could make it a little easier on our wallets as well.

Here’s why its best to cut the cord on your cable company:

• We view having cable as the only way to watch TV. But if you remember when TV was free, you’ll be shocked to find out it never stopped being free. Modern antennas are sleeker and have up to a 70 mile detection range, allowing them to pick up more than just the basic cable channels.
• Subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu Plus cost $8 a month versus the $60 plus for basic cable you’re used to paying. Most already have a system, like an Xbox or PlayStation, to stream Internet TV on. But if you don’t, one time purchases like a Roku or AppleTV are beneficial and for exactly the purpose of streaming Internet TV.
•  The only glitch in the system is live sports. Although with an antenna, you are able to get almost all local sports games (i.e. the Panthers, the Hurricanes, etc.) and large events like the SuperBowl, the World Series, and the Olympics. You can also stream ESPN updates to you smartphone and through the internet and onto your TV.

Even with the cheapest cable plan, the average cord cutter may save up to $1,000-$1,500 a year. Including the start up costs of items like antennas and streaming systems.

The bottom line in the world of technology is there is always something new coming out to make our lives easier, and more enjoyable. The widespread use of cable and the many channels that come with it came out in the 1980s. That was over 30 years ago. It’s time to use the new technology that has become available to us to make our lives more financially efficient.