After our youngest son moved out at the end of January, my husband and I decided to get rid of our bundled cable, phone, and internet package. The house phone, which rarely rang anymore with the exception of robo-calls and solicitations, was hardly used. The cable T.V. was not used well enough to justify the cost. We watch network television and a few things on the Food Network. So, we decided to discontinue the package with the exception of the internet.
We’ve gone with Roku, a WiFi based streaming television platform. We also signed up for CBS All Access and got PBS Passport. Let’s just say that even with the cost of the Roku box that attaches to the T.V., the monthly fee for CBS all access, and the cost of a PBS membership that qualifies us to use their passport streaming service, we are saving a lot of money a month! Of course, our internet bill went up because we were no longer bundled but we need access to reliable high speed internet, but it’s not as high as we were paying with the bundle service – not even close! So, we still considered it a good decision. We also have Amazon Prime which allows you to stream as well. The prime pays for itself during the course of the year with free deliveries.
Before we made the change, we self-analyzed what programs we were watching and where they came from. This is how we decided what we wanted to pay for as far as streaming services. The Roku system has been easy to get used to, and I can honestly say, I haven’t missed having cable.
One of the shows we’ve been streaming has been the BBC’s Great British Baking Show. We started on season five, finished season four, and are in the middle of season three, working backwards. It’s entertaining and inspiring us to improve our baking skills. Last week, my husband proposed a cookie challenge. I jumped in and made a batch of keto thumbprint cookies….and waited for my husband to produce his batch. They never came! In all honesty, he did have a busy week with his other projects.
But, today we ran a few errands that included collecting the necessary parts for him to make Mary Berry’s Victoria Sandwich Cake from the fourth season of The Great British Baking Show. We even needed the cake pans, as we are normally a “pie” family with all of our fruit trees in our home orchard. And, then the hunt was on for super fine sugar – which, unbelievably was right at our “regular” grocery store! The cake is on tomorrow’s agenda.
I, for one, am glad cutting the cable cord has led to the baking of the cake! If you’re going to both to watch something, it might as well be deliciously inspiring! Right?
Bring on the cake!
Today is day 4 of the Slice of Live Story Challenge. Thank you to TwoWritingTeachers.org for developing this extraordinary community for writers.
The Apples in My Orchard 
I love that the baking show has produced competition between the two of you! I’d be schooled by my wife, who is an excellent cook, so I’m content watching and asking questions as she flies around the kitchen, doing too many things at once!
We cut our cable when we moved to our acreage. We have a Chromecast, a Fire Stick, and now a smart TV, all of which offer all the entertainment we could possibly want. I’d love to get a sports channel or two, but the cost for something like that is bundled into other services we don’t want or need.
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Fortunately, my husband and I both have similar skills in the kitchen and share the duties. But, a little competition is always fun!
We are very happy with the cutting of our cable….It’s changed our TV watching habits some what – like we’ll what 3 episodes of the baking show instead of 3 episodes of 3 different shows. But, that’s okay. We definitely wanted to get rid of service we were paying for and didn’t use. Luckily, my husband managed that phone call – as you probably know they worked hard to keep us with their bundled service.
Good to hear from you, Darin! I hope you are well!
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Kudos to you for cutting cable. My husband is recently retired, loves sports and lots of other TV. Cutting cable for us right now is not in the cards. I wish it was…we pay what I believe is a fortune. You’re posts and pictures were enjoyable and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your enviable lifestyle.
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Thanks for reading! My husband has been retired for two years now. He’s never watched a lot of sports. So, I think this will work for us! Finger’s crossed!
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I’m sure it will be so good! Getting rid of cable was such a great decision for us too! Your cookies look delicious!
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Thanks! I hope so!
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That is one of the happiest, most calming, most CHARMING things I can see on a screen. First of all, your creations look absolutely wonderful. That is one benefit of that show – it’s made me and, I think, lots of other home bakers, feel braver about trying new things. For what it’s worth, there is also a Great Canadian Baking Show. Dan Levy (of Schitt’s Creek) hosted the first two seasons. =))
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Oh, I’ll have to check out the Canadian show! Thanks for letting me know about that. Yes, we are really enjoying the show….it’s made us both more confident and unfortunately, a tad more self-critical! Lol.
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I wouldn’t have guessed that cutting the cable would lead to a cake, but there you are! Things are so much more complicated than they used to be (three channels and PBS on the UHF dial), but there’s so much more great stuff out there now! (Along with a whole bunch of filler). Thanks for sharing this, and I hope you get to enjoy your husband’s cookies soon. (:
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Jim (my husband) made the cake inspired by the show. It was/is delicious. Only one slice left!
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