How To Save Money On Cable

By Mentor Staff | Edited By Mentor Staff

Updated On November 1, 2021

Editorial Note: This content is based solely on the author's opinions and is not provided, approved, endorsed or reviewed by any financial institution or partner.

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How To Save Money On Cable

Everyone wants to know the best cable TV alternatives and the best streaming devices to replace cable.

The good news is that you can watch tv without cable and find the best alternative to cable that works best based on your preferences.

Here are the best cable TV alternatives that you should consider to save money:

Top Picks For Student Loan Refinancing

March 2024

Fixed APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Fixed APR means that your interest rate will always stay the same. Even if interest rates change, your interest rate or monthly payment will not. Fixed APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.
Variable APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest rate can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly student loan payment. Typically, a variable-rate loan has a lower introductory rate than a fixed-loan rate loan. Variable APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.
APR
5.24% - 9.99%
6.24% - 9.99%
5.24% - 9.99%

View Details

on SoFi's website

Overview

Variable APR:
6.24% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
5.24% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
650
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000 ($10,000 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
5.44% - 9.99%
6.24% - 9.99%
5.44% - 9.99%

View Details

on Earnest's website

Overview

Variable APR:
6.24% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
5.44% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
650
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5-20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States except NV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
No
5.19% - 9.74%
5.84% - 9.75%
5.19% - 9.75%

View Details

on NaviRefi's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.84% - 9.75%
Fixed APR:
5.19% - 9.74%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,001 ($10,001 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5-20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States except NV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
No
5.48% - 8.69%
5.28% - 8.99%
5.28% - 8.99%

View Details

on ELFI's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.28% - 8.99%
Fixed APR:
5.48% - 8.69%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
$35,000
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
3.99% - 9.99%
5.99% - 9.99%
3.99% - 9.99%

View Details

on Splash's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.99% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
3.99% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
640
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5 – 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Varies
Co-signer Option:
No
6.99% - 10.99%
7.29% - 12.44%
6.99% - 12.44%

View Details

on Citizens' website

Overview

Variable APR:
7.29% - 12.44%
Fixed APR:
6.99% - 10.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
Not disclosed
Minimum Income:
$24,000
Fees:
No prepayment or origination fees
Minimum Loan Amount:
$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
5.44% - 10.39%
5.49% - 10.59%
5.44% - 10.59%

View Details

on Laurel Road's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.49% - 10.59%
Fixed APR:
5.44% - 10.39%
Minimum Credit Score:
660
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
5.24% - 12.18%
5.55% - 12.18%
5.24% - 12.18%

View Details

on LendKey's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.55% - 12.18%
Fixed APR:
5.24% - 12.18%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
$24,000
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states, except ME, ND, NV, RI, WV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes

1. Bundle your cable, internet and phone

While this may sound obvious, not everyone follows this advice. You can bundle your cable TV, internet and landline phone with the same cable company. Often, this bundle may be covered under a promotion. When that promotion expires, speak with customer service to see if you can continue the discount, or if you can join a new promotion before the price jumps. The right customer service representative may be willing to continue the promotion or a current promotion for another six months, year or beyond.

2. Get rid of your DVR

A DVR, or digital video recorder, is a modern VCR. With a DVR, you can record your favorite tv shows. However, cable companies charge you to use a DVR each month. Consider ditching your DVR to save money. Yes, you might miss your favorite tv show on demand, but you can often get access to same show on other cable tv alternatives such as Hulu.

3. Choose a digital antenna

One of the smart cable tv alternatives is to get a digital antenna. A digital antenna can be bought on Amazon and is one of the best ways to watch tv without cable. With a digital antenna, you have access to the same picture and sound quality. Some channels will be in HD, while others will be broadcast in standard definition. The good news is that with a digital HD antenna, you can gain access to over-the-air programming from the top networks such as NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX and more.

4. Go with Netflix

What’s the best way to watch tv without cable? Try Netflix, which is considered a best streaming device to replace cable. Netflix is a monthly subscription service, which includes an expansive library of movies and television shows for as little as about $10 per month. While Netflix may not have the newest television shows, it is one of the cable tv alternatives that will give you significant content for a low prices.

5. Sling is the best alternative to cable

Looking to cut your cable cord and pick the best streaming device to replace cable? Enter Sling. Sling is the best way to watch tv without cable, and offers monthly streaming packages for live television. It’s the same as watching cable tv, but you get to customize which channels are most important to you. There are many packages to choose from that provide access to both cable tv and movie channels. Sling is a cable TV alternative that essentially lets you watch tv without cable for a fraction of the price.

6. Hulu is also the best alternative to cable

Like Sling, if you are looking for the best streaming device to replace cable, consider Hulu. Hulu (and Hulu Plus) is also the best way to watch tv without cable, and offers a monthly streaming package to get access to the newest television shows and movies. Hulu is much cheaper than cable and is one of the best cable TV alternatives.

7. Amazon Prime is another way to watch tv without cable

An Amazon Prime subscription offers a lot more than the best streaming device to replace cable. Amazon Prime offers free shipping on most Amazon products, and includes access to Amazon’s extensive library for tv and film content. You also get a ton of free music, and rent movies on demand as well. Finally, you get access to Amazon original content as well.

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