Although we have thought about this for years, we have recently gotten pretty serious about giving up television. We may have withdrawal. We may have to do it in stages. We may even fail and have to try it again, but the fact is that television is costing us. Both as a family and in terms of finances.
Since this is the Frugal Living blog, I’ll set aside the other issues that our family may have with the television and concentrate just on the financial aspect of dedicating time to the television. Perhaps seeing it here in black and white (ha) will help us to analyze this decision more fully. Plus, I would enjoy hearing everyone’s opinion. Would or even could you give up television? Is it worth giving up, or are we nuts to eliminate moderately priced family entertainment. Will we be social outcasts if we don’t know what Kate Gosselin is up to or who is the next American Idol?
Okay, let us start with the obvious. There is the cost of purchasing a set (which we already own now) and the cost of all of that electricity to run it and the cable box. I think one study estimated that Americans spend $6 billion on all of that electricity. Speaking of cable boxes, that is another cost, too–the monthly fee to get all of those channels.
Next, we can look at the cost that results from influencing our spending habits. Would we have a newish video gaming system, a certain brand of cereal, character merchandise in our home if we didn’t watch television. Remember that marketing experts are well, experts. They know how to get us to buy things, even if we think we are beyond influence.
Finally, there is the cost involved with the time that is spent watching television. Think about what can be accomplished during all of those hours. I’m not applying that you have to work all of the time, but think about having the time to fulfill a dream, start a business, cook from scratch, tutor a child, or other activities that can be both satisfying and money saving.