How to cut the cable or satellite TV bill in the country

Step 1: Write down what you actually watch

For one week, jot down every show, channel and game the household watches. Most families find they use a handful of channels out of hundreds.

Step 2: Cover local channels for free

Local news, weather and many big games are on free broadcast TV. An indoor or attic antenna can pick them up in many areas. See our guide to local channels without cable.

Step 3: Pick one or two streaming services

Match services to your list. Many offer monthly plans you can start and stop, so you can rotate between them by season instead of paying for everything all year.

Step 4: Make sure your internet can carry it

Streaming needs a steady connection. A household that streams a few hours of HD a day can use a lot of data, so an unlimited-data plan takes the worry out of it. See how much data streaming uses.

Step 5: Cancel and keep the savings

Return the cable or satellite equipment, get a receipt, and put what you save toward something that matters to your family.

Common questions