Cutting my cable bill expense

On 9/28/2011 2:26 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:16 -0500, amdx<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> My cable bill is now $140 dollars, includes tv, internet, and phone.
>> We just added a second cellphone and will soon drop the landline, ah,
>> I feel like a 20 something.


> Poverty is more than a mind state.

I don't consider myself to have poverty in mind, assets or income.
I ignored this comment until now, but I'd like you to expand on this.
Thanks, Mikek


> <http://www.knology.com/Page/Bundles/View/single_service_pricing>
> Cable $58 to $76
> Phone $17 to $31
> iNet $64 to $79
> That's $139 at the bottom end, plus taxes which works out to about
> $150. At those prices, the incrimental cost of a 2nd cell phone
> (about $12 to $22 including taxes) is barely worthwhile.

On Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:22:13 -0500, amdx <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On 9/28/2011 2:26 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:16 -0500, amdx<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>> My cable bill is now $140 dollars, includes tv, internet, and phone.
>>> We just added a second cellphone and will soon drop the landline, ah,
>>> I feel like a 20 something.
>
>
>> Poverty is more than a mind state.
>
>I don't consider myself to have poverty in mind, assets or income.
> I ignored this comment until now, but I'd like you to expand on this.
> Thanks, Mikek

Sure. It has many implications, some of which are applicable to your
question. I assumed you were having financial difficulties and needed
to cut expenses. With about 15% of the US population living below the
poverty level, the problem is not uncommon.
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html>
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/incpovhlth/2010/highlights.html>
I have seen many people and families, who are living near the official
poverty level, spend an inordinate percentage of their income on
entertainment items and services. In my never humble opinion, the
problem is not so much a hereditary poverty mentality, but simple
math. Many such people have little clue how to spend money, calculate
expenses, or distinguish between a bargain and a rip-off. For
example, the $140 per month may not seem like much money to some, but
if annualized, the $1,680 suddenly becomes a serious expense. If a
two year contract is required, $3,360 is even more ominous. Inspiring
you to do the math, using a distorted tag line from the 1960's poverty
fighters, was my intent.

Optimizing monthly expenses is an important part of budgeting. Many
activities have a very high per-hour cost. For example, cable or
satellite TV typically costs about $75/month. Many busy viewers watch
about 2 hrs of TV per day. That's about $1.25/hr. You could do much
better with Netflix or renting an occasional DVD. My Verizon cell
phone previously burned about $75/month for about 400 minutes of use
per month. That's about $0.19/minute. I'm now on a prepaid PagePlus
plan, which only costs me $0.05/minute.

In other words, do the math, and perhaps you may see some more
economical alternatives.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On 10/2/2011 12:00 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:22:13 -0500, amdx<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> On 9/28/2011 2:26 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>>> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:16 -0500, amdx<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>
>>>> My cable bill is now $140 dollars, includes tv, internet, and phone.
>>>> We just added a second cellphone and will soon drop the landline, ah,
>>>> I feel like a 20 something.
>>
>>
>>> Poverty is more than a mind state.
>>
>> I don't consider myself to have poverty in mind, assets or income.
>> I ignored this comment until now, but I'd like you to expand on this.
>> Thanks, Mikek
>
> Sure. It has many implications, some of which are applicable to your
> question. I assumed you were having financial difficulties and needed
> to cut expenses. With about 15% of the US population living below the
> poverty level, the problem is not uncommon.
> <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html>
> <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/incpovhlth/2010/highlights.html>
> I have seen many people and families, who are living near the official
> poverty level, spend an inordinate percentage of their income on
> entertainment items and services. In my never humble opinion, the
> problem is not so much a hereditary poverty mentality, but simple
> math. Many such people have little clue how to spend money, calculate
> expenses, or distinguish between a bargain and a rip-off. For
> example, the $140 per month may not seem like much money to some, but
> if annualized, the $1,680 suddenly becomes a serious expense. If a
> two year contract is required, $3,360 is even more ominous. Inspiring
> you to do the math, using a distorted tag line from the 1960's poverty
> fighters, was my intent.
>
> Optimizing monthly expenses is an important part of budgeting. Many
> activities have a very high per-hour cost. For example, cable or
> satellite TV typically costs about $75/month. Many busy viewers watch
> about 2 hrs of TV per day. That's about $1.25/hr. You could do much
> better with Netflix or renting an occasional DVD. My Verizon cell
> phone previously burned about $75/month for about 400 minutes of use
> per month. That's about $0.19/minute. I'm now on a prepaid PagePlus
> plan, which only costs me $0.05/minute.
>
> In other words, do the math, and perhaps you may see some more
> economical alternatives.
>


Well put, Jeff.

On 10/2/2011 11:00 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:22:13 -0500, amdx<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> On 9/28/2011 2:26 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>>> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:16 -0500, amdx<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>
>>>> My cable bill is now $140 dollars, includes tv, internet, and phone.
>>>> We just added a second cellphone and will soon drop the landline, ah,
>>>> I feel like a 20 something.
>>
>>
>>> Poverty is more than a mind state.
>>
>> I don't consider myself to have poverty in mind, assets or income.
>> I ignored this comment until now, but I'd like you to expand on this.
>> Thanks, Mikek
>
> Sure. It has many implications, some of which are applicable to your
> question. I assumed you were having financial difficulties and needed
> to cut expenses. With about 15% of the US population living below the
> poverty level, the problem is not uncommon.
> <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html>
> <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/incpovhlth/2010/highlights.html>
> I have seen many people and families, who are living near the official
> poverty level, spend an inordinate percentage of their income on
> entertainment items and services.

LOL, one of my pet peeves, someone in poverty on the taxpayers dole
and the have a cellphone, cable tv and big wheels and low profile tires
on their car, that's newer than mine.


>In my never humble opinion, the
> problem is not so much a hereditary poverty mentality, but simple
> math. Many such people have little clue how to spend money, calculate
> expenses, or distinguish between a bargain and a rip-off. For
> example, the $140 per month may not seem like much money to some, but
> if annualized, the $1,680 suddenly becomes a serious expense. If a
> two year contract is required, $3,360 is even more ominous. Inspiring
> you to do the math, using a distorted tag line from the 1960's poverty
> fighters, was my intent.
>

I wasn't aware it was a 60s tag line, but, I'm not in great agreement
with it. If you are healthy, then with a proper mental attitude poverty
at most, should be temporary.
I have watched several members of my immigrant inlaws with poor
english do very well with the mental attitude that with hard work they
would generate income and assets.


> Optimizing monthly expenses is an important part of budgeting. Many
> activities have a very high per-hour cost. For example, cable or
> satellite TV typically costs about $75/month. Many busy viewers watch
> about 2 hrs of TV per day. That's about $1.25/hr. You could do much
> better with Netflix or renting an occasional DVD. My Verizon cell
> phone previously burned about $75/month for about 400 minutes of use
> per month. That's about $0.19/minute. I'm now on a prepaid PagePlus
> plan, which only costs me $0.05/minute.
>
> In other words, do the math, and perhaps you may see some more
> economical alternatives.
>

That is what my post was all about.
I am just ticked off that it is a repetitive cost and seems
to keep going up. I'd rather put the money into my pension plan.
No, I already max that out, into my savings account for retirement.
You ever listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio/tv? Fun to hear people
that worked their way out of debt and the pride the have.
Now if we can just get those in poverty to figure out there is a
better way. Should we have mandatory inspirational economic education
for anyone taking welfare? I would think they would have the time.
How about a 35 hour a week class schedule? :-)
Probably enough make them consider getting a job!
Yes, I'm fully aware these are tough times in the Obama economy,
and there are many hard working people suffering. :-(
Mikek

On 9/29/2011 12:01 PM, amdx wrote:
> On 9/29/2011 8:15 AM, Allodoxaphobia wrote:
>> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:16 -0500, amdx wrote:
>>> I'm looking for a cheap or free isp to gain access to the net over
>>> work or coffee shop wifi signals.
>>
>> huh?
>> You don't need no steekin `ISP` "to gain access to the net over
>> work or coffee shop wifi signals."
>>
>> Once you're connected to the Access Point, you _are_ on the net.
>>
>> An email account is a whole 'nuther thing. Gmail, probably.
>>
>> Jonesy
>
> Tell me more, Can I get rid of my isp and use my neighbors wifi
> to pull up google as my home page? (my neighbors like me)
> Email is another situation, and easy to get around.
> Mikek
>
>
>
Sure, and you could cut down your grocery expenses by inviting yourself
for dinner every night at your neighbors place.

On 10/15/2011 5:09 AM, George wrote:
> On 9/29/2011 12:01 PM, amdx wrote:
>> On 9/29/2011 8:15 AM, Allodoxaphobia wrote:
>>> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:16 -0500, amdx wrote:
>>>> I'm looking for a cheap or free isp to gain access to the net over
>>>> work or coffee shop wifi signals.
>>>
>>> huh?
>>> You don't need no steekin `ISP` "to gain access to the net over
>>> work or coffee shop wifi signals."
>>>
>>> Once you're connected to the Access Point, you _are_ on the net.
>>>
>>> An email account is a whole 'nuther thing. Gmail, probably.
>>>
>>> Jonesy
>>
>> Tell me more, Can I get rid of my isp and use my neighbors wifi
>> to pull up google as my home page? (my neighbors like me)
>> Email is another situation, and easy to get around.
>> Mikek
>>
>>
>>
> Sure, and you could cut down your grocery expenses by inviting yourself
> for dinner every night at your neighbors place.
No, no, it is worse than that. It's breaking into your neighbors house,
and taking their food.

On Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:37:14 -0700, Rich Johnson wrote:

> On 10/15/2011 5:09 AM, George wrote:
>> On 9/29/2011 12:01 PM, amdx wrote:
>>> On 9/29/2011 8:15 AM, Allodoxaphobia wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:56:16 -0500, amdx wrote:
>>>>> I'm looking for a cheap or free isp to gain access to the net over
>>>>> work or coffee shop wifi signals.
>>>>
>>>> huh?
>>>> You don't need no steekin `ISP` "to gain access to the net over
>>>> work or coffee shop wifi signals."
>>>>
>>>> Once you're connected to the Access Point, you _are_ on the net.
>>>>
>>>> An email account is a whole 'nuther thing. Gmail, probably.
>>>>
>>>> Jonesy
>>>
>>> Tell me more, Can I get rid of my isp and use my neighbors wifi
>>> to pull up google as my home page? (my neighbors like me)
>>> Email is another situation, and easy to get around.
>>> Mikek
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Sure, and you could cut down your grocery expenses by inviting yourself
>> for dinner every night at your neighbors place.
> No, no, it is worse than that. It's breaking into your neighbors house,
> and taking their food.

If the neighbours secure their house, then it is harder to
steal their food, same with their WiFi, it is being radiated
into space, hence security is needed.