Blackmon: Killing TV to save money, brain cells

We just disconnected our cable television. No longer does the value we receive justify the expense. We simply do not watch enough television to justify the expense, which we figure is between $80 and $90 an hour for each hour we watch. We simply do not think about watching TV. Unlike many folks, we do not see this as an essential utility like electricity.

For many years, we have kept cable because when we want TV, it is something important to us, like a major news event or the State of the Union address.

By pulling the plug, we will save enough money for almost a month of groceries. We can rent more than 300 movies from the Redbox. We can add $100 to the amount we put in each grandchild's savings each year. We can take a nice weekend trip.

Beyond that, the quality of television programming has gone down in direct proportion to the number of channels added. From time to time, in a hotel room, I will watch for a while, just to be sure I'm not missing anything. Each time, I'm reassured that most programming is drivel and most of the ads are patronizing and/or insulting. Election season is the very worst.

There are certainly exceptions. Each year the Peabody Awards, housed at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, recognize outstanding broadcast programs. Sadly, many of those programs were aired on local stations or on channels that, at least in Athens, do not come with a basic cable subscription.

I see Facebook posts with comments like, "More than 300 channels and nothing to watch." Or " 'Dancing with the Stars' was a disappointment last night." Where is the rule that says we must sit in front of the TV and watch something, anything, each evening? None of us is forced to watch. Maybe people have forgotten that.

Watching TV seems to me a waste of time, energy and money. Author Chuck Gallozzi, on the website personal-development.com, hit the nail on the head when he wrote, "TV also decreases one's attention span and weakens one's imagination. It weakens our attention span because we grow used to quick, short bursts of information. As a result, we grow impatient if it takes a while to make a point. TV weakens our imagination because everything is portrayed f

Home Site Map	Saving Money Tips And Advices Blackmon: Killing TV to save money, brain cells We just disconnected our cable television. No longer does the value we receive justify the expense. We simply do not watch enough television to justify the expense, which we figure is between $80 and $90 an hour for each hour we watch. We simply do not think about watching TV. Unlike many folks, we do not see this as an essential utility like electricity. For many years, we have kept cable because when we want TV, it is something important to us, like a major news event or the State of the Union address. By pulling the plug, we will save enough money for almost a month of groceries. We can rent more than 300 movies from the Redbox. We can add $100 to the amount we put in each grandchild's savings each year. We can take a nice weekend trip. Beyond that, the quality of television programming has gone down in direct proportion to the number of channels added. From time to time, in a hotel room, I will watch for a while, just to be sure I'm not missing anything. Each time, I'm reassured that most programming is drivel and most of the ads are patronizing and/or insulting. Election season is the very worst. There are certainly exceptions. Each year the Peabody Awards, housed at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, recognize outstanding broadcast programs. Sadly, many of those programs were aired on local stations or on channels that, at least in Athens, do not come with a basic cable subscription. I see Facebook posts with comments like, "More than 300 channels and nothing to watch." Or " 'Dancing with the Stars' was a disappointment last night." Where is the rule that says we must sit in front of the TV and watch something, anything, each evening? None of us is forced to watch. Maybe people have forgotten that. Watching TV seems to me a waste of time, energy and money. Author Chuck Gallozzi, on the website personal-development.com, hit the nail on the head when he wrote, "TV also decreases one's attention span and weakens one's imagination. It weakens our attention span because we grow used to quick, short bursts of information. As a result, we grow impatient if it takes a while to make a point. TV weakens our imagination because everything is portrayed f Continue reading the rest of "Blackmon: Killing TV to save money, brain cells" by Athens Banner-Herald © 2009 http://onlineathens.com - Athens Banner-Herald - All rights reserved. Rate This Article: Wealth Building Articles From Articlebiz.com Articles on money management, Wealth building, and investing advices and much more. Links To Other Useful Sites Save money with metal roofing, new steel buildings from Metal Mart Since 1985 Metal Mart has been supplying contractors and do-it-yourselfers with metal building materials. Whatever project, whether it’s big or small, come to Metal Mart, located at 4309 Idalou Road, for the supplies and advice you need to get the job done right.