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Cable TV: Can The Cord Be Cut?

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Cutting Cable TV

We are going to have a cable TV exorcism at our home.  No, I don’t think cable television is evil.  Well, maybe I do, but not in the “devil infected” type evil.  Well, on second thought, maybe I do….

Anyway, we have decided to cut the umbilical cord, sever the line, or break-up the relationship between us and the local monopoly that is cable TV.

Why Get Rid of Cable?

With all the other ways and means of cutting expenses, why cable and why now?

  • Most of our TV watching is just for mindless entertainment-usually while we prepare dinner and in the evening before bed.  My mind is mush by that time.  Too worn out to concentrate on productive activity.
  • Cable prices have continually gone up-the value is just not there anymore.
  • Many new mindless entertainment options have gotten much cheaper.
  • I am on a mission: Making life-changing decisions about my time and money.
  • The shows we do like to watch are going the way of My Space, albums, cassette tapes, and Lehman Bros…

We’ve discussed getting rid of cable in the past, but I do love to watch sports on TV and am addicted to CNBC.  Thinking about not being able to watch the Masters, college football, or Squawk Box was just too much.

Most of my friends and extended family laugh at our TV status as is.  We have one flat screen/HD capable TV (26 inch) bought at a Black Friday sale a coupla years ago.

My other TVs are all old fashioned tube TV’s with a combined age probably equal to mine-above 50!

I guess that’s one reason we don’t have many friends to drop by to watch a game on TV.  They thought it was funny at first. Now they just think I’m “touched in the head” as we say here in the south….

But my son assures me, even in our rural area, we can get broadcast HD with an antenna.  And one of the regional  channels is a CBS affiliate (Masters Golf, and a college football).

We will be looking into the best option for watching what little TV we desire that won’t be available by antenna.

Whether we choose a gaming system, Hulu, or other method to stream either old shows or new ones remains to be seen.  I will keep you up to date on those choices as they evolve, and  will assess the monetary cost/benefit ratio too!

I think initially we’ll just see how well life goes without 80 channels.

No Cable. Then What?

What will we do instead?

  • Listen to more audio books or music during dinner prep.
  • Read-I got the new Kindle for Father’s Day-my wife is now casting a jealous eye in its direction.
  • Maybe try blog brainstorming when my brain is mush-just ideas not expecting Hemingway-esque prose…
  • We do have an empty nest…

If I don’t get the latest “Bachelor” or “Idol”  jokes at work- so be it!

But Joe Kernan, I’ll miss your lame jokes!

New Cable Customer

And the great thing is, if we ever go back we will be a “new” customer.  Cable TV seems to think new customers are the only deserving class when it comes to deals and discounts….

Reader Comments:

What about you? Have you thought about cutting cable, or even more drastic, getting rid of TV all together?  Why don’t you start keeping up with the hours you spend in front of the boob tube just for one week.  Add each family members TV time together.  Does the total get your attention? It did mine, and I’m well below the average TV watcher.

{photo credit: correa carvalho c.c.}

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @DrDeanBurke- quick links on the side of the blog!  And let’s not miss a post-sign up for email special delivery or the RSS feed!

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Posted in personal finance, Planned spending aka budget | 10 Comments »

Dental Health and Your Money!

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Dental Costs and You

Do you hate going to the dentist?

And when you don’t have dental insurance it’s even worse.  You just thought the dental visit was bad, then you get the bill!

You then have pain in wallet to go with the pain in your jaw!

Have you been putting off needed dental services cause of the price?

For new patient adult exam in my area it is $240 bucks.  A cleaning for a repeat customer is abut $130 bucks (without any x-rays).

Luckily I have group dental insurance.  And as a child of the 60′s with terrible teeth, dental insurance has always been a worth the cost for me.

For those of you without dental insurance and are putting off important dental services make sure you keep reading!

Brighter.com review

I ran across an article about  company called  Brighter.com

Brighter.com is a company that has negotiated discounts with dentists throughout the country.

For $79/year family membership with Brighter.com you get:

  • On average a 60% discount on you and your families dental costs at participating dentists.

What does that translate for a family of four in real money?

If your family gets the recommended two cleanings per year each, that’s $520 bucks twice a year( at 130 a pop.)  Damn!  If you get the promised discount, your savings per year for two cleanings each could be as much as 400-500 dollars/year!  These are generalizations based on examples on the web site.

The website lists the following cautions:

  • Prices and discounts are negotiated with the participating dentists.
  • You should call ahead to verify your actual out of pocket costs and that they are indeed participating in Brighter.com.
  • Your current dentist may not participate, so you would either have to change dentists or encourage them to sign up for the program.
  • Prices may not include all recommended procedures, such as x-rays.  You do get a discount on these additional items though.

I looked on the site and could not find any participating dentists in a 50 mile radius of my home.  There seemed to be many dentist choices in the Atlanta metro area, however.

I’m guessing many small town dentists have a full patient load and have no incentive to offer discount fees.  Chances are good,  if you live in a Metro-area in the country, you’ll find a participating dentist!

Check out your dentist

Of course make sure you check out the dentist.  If you arrive at the office, and they seem to be using a foot drill and a hammer for anesthetic, maybe you should find another one…

If you and your family have been putting off dental care ’cause of it’s cost and don’t have dental insurance, this may be a good option for you to consider.

Not taking care of your teeth will lead to huge costs down the road.  (not to mention pain and suffering!)

And dentures, while way better than gumming my beef steaks, just don’t look too appealing to me!

Reader Questions:

Anyone here dealt with Brighter.com?  What was your experience? Do you recommend the service?

Recent carnivals and round-ups:

Totally Money Carnival at Money in the 20′s

Carnival of Wealth at Personal Dividends

Money Crashers personal finance round-up.

Invest it Wisely’s round-up.

Festival of Frugality @ Sustainable Personal Finance

Thanks to all.  And if I’ve missed one, please let me know!

{photo credit: petesimon c.c.}

Make sure you follow me on Twitter @DrDeanBurke- quick links on the side of the blog!  And let’s not miss a post-sign up for email special delivery or the RSS feed!

Friends, I love friends-check out my Facebook page, and I’m definitely Linked-In-use the shortcuts on the side-that’s why I paid my Web Master of the Universe-Ben-the big bucks to put ‘em there-saves you time!

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Posted in personal finance, Planned spending aka budget | 14 Comments »

5 Tips (plus a bonus) On Saving Money:Today!

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

Saving Money Tips

As most of you know, I’m a gynecologist.  It is safe to say that none of my patients want to be in my office.

They may feel they should be, they may feel they have to be, but they don’t WANT to be.

To lighten the mood, I have learned (painfully slow at times) that most women want to be distracted while I do what gynecologists do.  (If you don’t know, ask your wife or girlfriend.  Don’t, I repeat DON’T ask your Mom.  She doesn’t want to talk about it.  And you don’t want to think your mom has a sexual organ….)

I ask them various questions based on my knowledge of them through the years.

  • The gardeners, I ask them how their vegetables/flowers are doing.
  • The travelers, I ask where they’ve been and did they enjoy it.
  • Of course grandma’s are easy to distract.  Ask them about their latest grandchild, and away they go-they don’t feel a thing!

I get an education on what’s on their minds…

Lately many people are telling me how dismayed they are about how much things cost.

A couple of years ago everyone was fearful they or their husband would lose their job.

Now, however, it’s the pocketbook pinch,  or the light wallet syndrome that has ‘em aggravated.

Inflation

I get conversations like:
  • “It took me 80 bucks to fill up my truck! Can you believe it.  I thought there was plenty of gas around!”
  • “Coffee! Can you believe it cost me 12 bucks for a pound of Dunkin Doughnut Coffee! Jeezereeee…”
  • “I can’t believe how much that fertilizer for my yard has gone up!  I may just have to let my flowers die this year…”
  • “Steak, who can afford steak!  I am trouble even buying chicken.  Charlie the tuna, here I come! Those dried instant soups are looking better and better-I need to lose a few pounds anyway.”
Even though “we have limited inflation” according to Ben and the boys at the Fed, what are we to do about our higher prices for groceries, fertilizer, and gas?
Choices:
It is all about choices.  The rigid among us are going to struggle.  If you can stomach  a few substitutions in your stomach, then maybe you have a chance of having a little money left each month for debt repayment or to save for retirement.

Money Saving Tips

I thought I would go over  a few choices you can make to save:
  • Brand names-I know you think you have to have Starbucks, Dunkin Doughnut, or maybe even  fresh beans from your favorite roaster , but now may be the time to cut your habit.  Slowly shave back consumption.  No cold turkey caffeine withdrawal headache.  The same can go for bread, tuna, peanut butter.  My friend  Len Penzo even proved brand alliance for ketchup may be a mistake.
  • Gas prices- I have dusted off my bicycle and used it to run errands this week.  I don’t live in an urban area where bikers are common.  I get a lot of weird looks when I pull up at the drive-through in my helmet….But I use less gas and I laugh all the way to the bank. (especially when I’m at the bank….)
  • Slow down-this works in so many areas of your life. Your car-better mileage.  Eating-the slower you eat, the less you eat. With life-Stop and smell the roses. Watching the sunset is free-going to the movies can cost 50 bucks for a family plus the gas… Slow down on kid’s activities-save money and spend more quality time together.
  • Fertilizer and yard up-keep-Lessen your footprint.  Use xeriscaping, mulch, and  natural hardy plants to decrease your maintenance and water use.  Think about composting or borrowing manure from the local horse farm.
  • De-Clutter or begin steps to minimalism-This is a two-fer.  Sell some of your stuff, and buy less stuff.  Do you really need another ______ (insert electronic gadget, collectible, shoes-whatever your weak spot!)  You can even make it a three-fer by donating stuff to charity-tax deductible, decluttering and helping someone-Cool beanz!
  • Bonus!  Have more sex-For most (except with Charlie Sheen and a few other notables) this is free.  (humm, I did meet a guy with 10 children this week-so maybe this isn’t free… Maybe I’ll think on this one a little more….)

Let’s face the facts.  Prices are going up.  You will pay more for your stuff,  buy less stuff,  or different stuff.  There is no other stuff option.

Comments: What cost’s more in your world?  What are you doing about it?  What are your tips to save money every week in the face of rising prices?

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Posted in personal finance, Planned spending aka budget, Quality of Life | 12 Comments »

High Gas Prices and YOU!

Friday, February 25th, 2011

BUYING A NEW CAR?

When gas prices spike,

And 60 bucks

Won’t fill your tank,

Much less make your run

to town on the turnpike!

The initial reaction

Is how can I get traction?

My paycheck is gone

Even before

My last shift is done!

My Master-Card, it’s screaming

My checking-over-drawn,

The fees and penalties…

I’m sure I’m just dreaming!

So why oh why,

Is my initial reaction

To want  a new car

Like a Volt or a Prius

That look cool and hip,

( I promise, surely no bias.)

Dashboard?

It’s got: navigation, great mpg’s,

And you can even watch,

your  own MTV!

But do your math.

Make sure you remember

The total costs of owning

this new space-ship,

Include higher insurance,

and interest,

and depreciation too!

And don’t forget,

higher fees.

There are sales and tag taxes,

“Pay your gov’ment,  please!”

So keep your old heap,

maybe give it a hug.

It may not be shiny,

Bright, and certainly not new-

The old Lug!

But the note is paid,

And for that,

You should be happy-

And Dr Dean, too!

Readers:

Have you had a little niggle of wishful thinking about a new better mileage car with these higher gas prices?  Make sure you don’t succumb to that siren song!  If you need a sponsor to keep you in check when you have these urges, just let me know!

Questions, or comments, or just plain ole criticism? I can take it!

(photo credit: it’s our city)

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Posted in personal finance, Planned spending aka budget, Wealth building | 8 Comments »

Blowing Your First Paycheck!

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

Your First Paycheck and Spending:

You should get a little benefit from suffering the aches and pains of aging.  One of those benefits is the ability to wax philosophically about how things are different now.   I did it in a blog post just  this week.  Talking about the freedom we had as kids, riding around our town on a bicycle with no one worried about kidnapping, rape, or other crimes.

Smarter with age?

I think those of us who have wrinkles, gray hair, or no hair as in my brother….have a duty and responsibility to share what we have learned and earned with the young people of today.

I am going to do a little wisdom sharing today….And if you don’t like it,  go _____yourself!

(That is anther advantage of getting older.  You care less and less what people think.)

Stupid Choices With The First Paycheck!

The top 5 stupid things kids do when they get their first paycheck!  Drum-roll please.

  1. Get Drunk: This is dumb because you get a two-fer!  You act like a horses ass while you are drinking, then you feel like one when you wake up!  How much money has been spent on hang-over remedies?  Enough to fill your house with #2 on this list!  (No not  that #2)
  2. Go to Ikea-Who doesn’t want to get rid of their college furniture.  But please, you can get better stuff with a little character shopping at yard sales.  Take the time to furnish your place a piece at the time.   And you can learn a valuable  career skill.  Negotiating!  This will come in handy when shopping for #5!
  3. Big Flat Screen:  I almost didn’t include this, as so many have not waited till their first paycheck to buy one.  This is like
    staying up all night, no classes on Friday or after 10am.  “I am a college student-I deserve a TV that stretches from my dorm window to my dorm door!”  But for those that signed the no TV till I have a job pledge-this is an automatic!
  4. New shoes/Gaming system- I am not sexist, but am a realist.  Most guys will think Manolo, Weitzman, and Louboutin are a big 3 accounting firm… rather than sellers of  4 oz. of cowhide for your full two-week paycheck!  And most girls will not be spending hours in Best-Buy arguing  over the fine points of Play-Station, and X-Box or mentally undressing the latest Nintendo.
  5. The New Car-It may be the new “green” machine you think your new co-workers will approve of.  Or a muscle car you have been drooling over since puberty.  The lure of a new car is almost like heroin to an addict.  You will not let 6 years of payments, thousands in interest, or 30% depreciation cloud your newly educated brain.  “Let me have my just desserts you old fuddy-duddy!” you say…

My First Paycheck

For those of you who can recall those years without the cob-webs of raising two kids, and call every other night  for the last 25 years, please let me know your dumb moves with your first paycheck.

I have a vague recollection of watching my wife drive off in the new Beamer, on the way to the shoe store.  I was busy watching Body Heat on VHS with one eye, while playing Mario Brothers and drinking tequila shots…….*****

I confessed mine. What were yours?  Comments and confessions welcome, and expected!

******(My wife made me promise to admit to writers license with that last sentence.  I have never owned a BMW, and my wife loves shoes, but is a cheap-skate…And my kids did have a PlayStation, but they were the last ones in town  with one, which they remind me of till this day.)

(photo credit by cuttlefish c.c.)

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Posted in Personal Finance 101, Planned spending aka budget | 12 Comments »

Drill Baby, Drill: For Financial Disaster!

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Job Security

{I wrote this post before Cook County, in Illinois announced layoffs of up to 100 nurses! Please get your financial house in order!}

Jo Ann BSN wondered why the DON (Director of Nursing for you civilians) had asked her to drop by her office.  It was a little unusual, but not unheard of.

She was, after all, a senior nurse in peer review. Good Samaritan Hospital had recently been through their state survey, a grueling experience.  But they had gotten adequate, and in a few areas, superior reviews in Jo Ann’s areas of focus.

“Maybe I will be getting a raise!” she laughed to herself.   Silently acknowledging the several million  bucks the facility  lost last year, and knowing it would be awhile before any raises were coming  her way…

As she sat down across from the DON, Jo Ann felt sick! The DON looked just like her cat had died.  (Jo Ann knew, as did everyone who had been in this office and seen all the stupid silly pictures, how much this boss loved her cat!)

“JoAnn, I am so sorry, but we are cutting back on administrative staff as part of our financial restructuring, and your position was eliminated!”

“But,but, but”….JoAnn stammered.  “I have been here almost 20 years…. I have two children in college and a car payment, what am I going to do?  Nobody around here is hiring right now.  And you know my youngest has Cystic Fibrosis.  His meds are outrageous…What will we do?”

“I wish I could help you.  I really am sorry.  I hope you have a little money saved.  And you know there is Cobra for your insurance.  And we will be giving you 4 weeks severance.  I fought for you-they wanted it to be the 2 week minimum.”

Job Losses and Health Care

Job losses in health care were the lowest of any profession during this most recent severe economic downturn.  But for the medical arena,  I think the worst is yet to come.  With the severe budget deficits on the horizon, and the recent Health Care Act, cuts in reimbursement to hospitals and providers are coming. And those who want  success must prepare now.  Don’t wait till you are the next “JoAnn!”

Planning for Disaster-Before It Happens

A great American and personal finance blogger, (does that make him a great American personal finance blogger???)-anyway Len Penzo wrote a great article recently about an exercise he and his wife did, which I call “Financial Disaster Planning 101″ (his title was different but I like mine better…) Please check out Len P’s article, but  let me review: They, separately just for fun, did an analysis of potential family spending cuts if Len, the family breadwinner, lost his job. What could go, what would stay! Their monthly spending cuts:

  • cable TV
  • newspapers, magazines, and books
  • entertainment spending
  • Restaurant meals.
  • Housekeeper
  • Vet bills

They found, even with cutting  monthly spending by 50% or more, their monthly bills would remain way over the amount he would be getting from unemployment. However, because of careful planning, they have enough in savings (rainy day fund) to supplement this short fall for many months. He and his family have a margin-a cushion for when stuff happens. They won’t have to make difficult choices of going without health insurance, moving to a smaller home, or eating cat food. They have lived within their means, avoided living month to month and built up a cushion for emergencies.

Drill Baby, Drill!

Medical Drill

In medicine we do drills!  We have tornado drills, fire drills, Code Red, Blue, and Orange drills.  In Ob we do shoulder dystocia and post-partum hemorrhage drills. These are done because they work! They  eliminate the “deer in the headlights” look that is common in rookies’ eyes when facing life and death scenarios. Jo Ann, in the story above, sadly didn’t have a cushion.  Her family had to make difficult sacrifices.  Their college kids were going to be on their own, all of a sudden.  They couldn’t afford COBRA. That meant signing up for Medicaid to get their youngest’s medicines until they could get back on their feet. And because nobody was hiring in her region, they were going to have to consider moving-but oops the house is upside down…..

The moral of the story

Plan for the worse.  At least consider the possibilities.  Job loss, divorce, illness, and accidents are so common, and are also the most common causes of bankruptcy.  Begin the process of getting control of your spending. Have a financial disaster drill and see what it tells about you!

Reader Comments:

What are your thoughts, have you a contingency plan for the unexpected financial emergency? Photo credit: US Navy c.c.

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Posted in goal setting, Planned spending aka budget | No Comments »

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