19 Free Alternatives to Cable

This is one of our peaceful pockets ideas, which are easy, earth-friendly ways to save money. Today we'll talk about free alternatives to cable.

Why switch to free cable alternatives?

As of December 2016, cable/satellite customers pay an average of $100 a month for their channels. I can think of a lot of things I would rather spend that on! Here are the free alternatives to cable and satellite:

Read a book

Yes, I'm serious. You can get much deeper into a story by reading a book than by watching a movie or TV show. Reading is more active and movie watching is more passive. You can get free books from your local public library or from a Little Free Library book exchange.

Public library for movies, older TV seasons, CDs, and unique streaming

This is a gold mine! Not only is this free, but then you don't have to bother owning, storing, and caring for all the movies you don't watch that often. Skip all the commercials and give yourself the option to watch old favorites, binge watch when you want to, and save money on cable/things you aren't seeing advertisements for. Most library systems allow you to request materials, even if they don't have them yet. They will often buy based on patron suggestions.

The only carbon footprint is from manufacturing the CDs/DVDs/Blu-Ray, sending requested materials from library to library, the BPA-lined printed hold slips (like receipts) and any driving done to pick up the materials.

You can lessen the impact by biking, walking, or taking public transportation to the library that has the materials you want, versus having everything held at the library of your choice.

We create a list of movies when they come out in theaters and get on hold lists as they come out on DVD. We save money on going out, we can usually add subtitles, pause for bathroom breaks, have whatever healthy snacks we want, and watch on our own schedule. We also borrow CDs on occasion to for a change of pace. 

Nature walk/walk your dog

Instead of watching TV, walk around your neighborhood, with your dog if you have one to walk. Stop and smell the flowers. Observe the beauty of nature in all of its forms, the soil, rocks, plants, and animals.

Feel the sun, wind, rain, or snow on your face. Get to know your neighbors a little. Other than the clothes and shoes you're wearing, your cost and carbon footprint is zero. Your body thanks you for the mild exercise and tuning into the world outside your door.

Learn a new skill/take a class

Have you ever wanted to learn to cook? How about how to take nice photos? You can spend your leisure time learning those "someday" skills that you always wanted to learn, but could never find the time, by using materials from your local library, such as "The Great Courses" series, which are taught by  some of the best in their fields.  The cost and carbon footprint varies by what skill you learn is, some need more resources than others to learn.

YouTube

You can use YouTube to watch free workout videos for exercising or learn new skills or information. YouTube can also offer full length movies, some are free, but some are digital rentals/purchases, starting at $1.99. Look for your favorites and enjoy the digital age. Pay only for what you want to watch, no subscription fee needed.

Two of our favorite kinds of channels to watch are movie review channels where they note all the plot holes in movies or clean comedy, like Studio C. Since YouTube is all streaming, the cost and carbon footprint comes from using the electricity and internet to stream.

Play a board game

Instead of watching TV, trying playing a board game with family or friends. If you play in the daylight, the only cost and carbon footprint is from manufacturing and shipping the game to where you bought it from. You can even make your own board game as a fun activity and save yourself the shipping footprint by using what you have.

Decluttering

Instead of watching TV, take some time every day to go through and get rid of stuff you don't need. You can even make cash by selling it! You can even be proactive and stop things like junk mail from entering your space in the first place.

Carbon footprint varies by method of decluttering, but the less stuff you have to keep up, the less time you have to spend caring for your stuff. You can also share your "may be useful someday" with someone who needs it now.  You now have more time for the treasures you decide to keep.

Hike

Similar to a nature walk, hiking is great for your health, tuning into nature, and turning off your TV.  Hiking doesn't have to be far from where you live or really rigorous. It's just a chance to get outside of your little bubble.

Carbon footprint varies by transportation method to get to your hike. By biking, walking or taking public transportation to your hiking spot, your carbon footprint will be incredibly small and your wallet will thank you for the low-cost adventure.

Learn a language

Instead of watching TV, try spending time improving your mind and expanding your possibilities. Being bilingual helps you to delay signs of dementia, can open up more job possibilities, can expand your friendship/communication possibilities, and may even help you earn more money.

There are endless possibilities on ways to learn languages. While my life is crazy right now, I'm simplifying and focusing on what I need to do. Once I'm able to make time though, this is how I'm going to become fluent in a second language for free. I'll supplement my learning with the free Duolingo app to help direct my education.

Cost and carbon footprint varies by education method. Most language programs rely on some form of media, if not multiple forms, so electricity and internet are usually contributing factors.

Barbecue, go to the park, or have a picnic

On a day with good weather, you can enjoy the outdoors instead of watching TV. Spring and summer are great for cooking outdoors to avoid heating up indoors and paying again to cool it down, but Autumn and Winter can be great if you live in a good climate for it.

I grew up in Las Vegas and Winter was often the best time to be outside because it has such hot summers. Cost and carbon footprint varies by transportation method, but could be tiny if you walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation to a park or have your meal in your backyard.

Journal

Instead of watching TV, write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This is therapeutic for you and helpful for gathering family stories down the road. Cost and carbon footprint varies by what you use to journal in and when you journal.

If you make a journal from one-sided paper or homemade recycled paper, then your cost and manufacturing footprint will be much smaller. If you only journal in daylight, then your cost and footprint will be reduced further.

Visit a friend or neighbor

Instead of watching TV, you could be visiting a friend, family, or a neighbor you have been too busy to see for free. Cost and carbon footprint varies by transportation method. If you walk, bike or take public transportation, your footprint can be reduced.

Bake or cook a meal from scratch

Instead of watching TV, you can have more time to learn how to cook and cook healthier meals from scratch. Technically, this isn't a free alternative, but you will save money on food costs if you cook from scratch. Your waistline will thank you and your wallet will thank you. Cost and carbon footprint varies by packaging, transportation, and cooking fuel source. (By the way, don't worry, my meal prep never looks this good either. I have my kids help me cook instead.)

Call or Skype a family member

You can use some of your TV time to connect with family.  You know they miss you! Cost and carbon footprint varies by energy source for calling, internet (if you use Skype), and electricity.

Serve someone in need

Instead of watching TV, you could be giving back to your community and feeling great. Opportunities abound, so search for areas that interest you or play to your strengths that you can give time in. You can also barter your time for free services. Cost and carbon footprint varies by transportation method and how service is rendered.

Find your ancestors

You can also use that TV time to connect with family who have passed on or helping others find people in their family trees.   Cost and carbon footprint also varies by energy source for internet and electricity.

Do that chore you've put off until you got some free time.

If you use your TV time to get things done, you can do those extra chores that never seem to get done. Cost and carbon footprint varies by resources needed to complete chores.

 

Harvest/Collect free food

Instead of watching TV, you could have more free time to garden or pick your own food from a farm. Carbon footprint varies by transportation method and gardening supplies. If you bring pots back to gardening centers, start your own seeds, and compost instead of buying bagged dirt, your impact can be reduced down to transportation.

Listen to podcast/radio

 

By switching from viewing TV shows to listening to podcasts or radio shows, you can switch to more unique and sometimes educational entertainment.  Both podcasts and radio shows are free, unless you subscribe to an upgraded podcast experience. All you need is a way to listen to them. You can listen on a traditional radio station on your car radio, a radio, a computer, or a device, such as your phone (with a speaker or headphones in the headphone jack).

You can listen to a podcast directly on a website, on most devices with apps, on a podcast platform (such as I-Tunes, Google Play, etc.), or in some newer models of cars. I like listening to podcasts when I wash dishes, laundry, or other similar housework that I'm moving a lot in the same space, but not easily able to actively watch something. The cost and carbon footprint comes from using the electricity and internet to stream (for podcasts and listening to radio on the internet.

 

List the things you're grateful for/prayer of gratitude

Instead of watching TV, stop and think about all that you've been given. You can make a list to reflect back on later or pray with gratitude for all that you have, or you do both.

You can even use your gratitude list to gain a positive attitude. Every time you think of something that you don't have or that isn't going your way, you can write down something positive about it. What can you be "glad about" in your circumstance? Carbon footprint can't be calculated, as gratitude can stop you from wanting any number of things. The cost is priceless.

Customize Your Cable Savings

Ultimately, it's up to you to see which of these  19 options work for your family to save the most money. Find what works best for your circumstances. What is the best option for your family? Be sure to share this post so other people can save money on cable!

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