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Cut the Cable Cord: Your Ultimate Guide to Streaming TV

Satellite and cable TV providers lost over one million subscribers recently thanks to customers cutting the cord.

As streaming services become cheaper and easier to use, more people are making the switch. If your current cable services aren’t working for you, it might be time to cut the cable cord and start streaming.

But where do you start with so many options on the market? We cover the basics of cord cutting in this guide so you can start watching your favorite content without a cable subscription.

Opt for High-Speed Internet

You’ll need a reliable internet connection to stream TV and movies. The faster your internet speed is the better your streaming experience will be.

For SD streaming, 4Mbps is the minimum speed you’ll want. But if you plan on watching movies and TV in HD or higher quality, you’ll want a speed between 10-25Mbps.

If you currently have a bundle plan that includes cable, internet, and phone make sure that cutting the cable won’t affect your monthly price.

Consider Getting a Smart TV

Smart TVs have many streaming service apps built in so you don’t need any extra equipment.

Roughly 46 million U.S. households have a smart TV. Today’s smart TVs have all the major streaming apps included. This means that if you subscribe to a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, you can watch all your shows and movies in one place.

Set-Top Boxes and Streaming Sticks

If you don’t have a smart TV and you don’t want to buy one, you can buy streaming equipment. Examples of streaming equipment include set-top boxes, streaming sticks, and gaming consoles.

There are pros and cons to each type of streaming device and you may find one works better than the others for your needs.

For example, set-top boxes have the most power and give you access to 4K HDR picture. Streaming sticks also offer 4K HDR video, but they’re not as robust as the pricier boxes. Do your research before settling on a streaming device.

Take a look at our review of the Amazon Fire TV Stick to get an idea of what one type of streaming stick has to offer.

Streaming Services and Cable Replacement

Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are three of the big players when it comes to streaming movies and TV. But there are countless other streaming options out there and dozens of apps you can download onto your device.

Another option is to look into cable replacement services. These packages allow you to watch your favorite TV channels and shows without a cable subscription.

Some examples of these services include PlayStation Vue and Sling TV. These services tend to be much cheaper than a cable subscription. Plus, you have more freedom to customize your channels.

Watching Torrents

Another option for streaming is to use a torrent service like Sickrage Seedbox to watch content.

Public domain torrents also allow you to watch TV and movies for free, and it’s completely legal. If you’re wondering how to get free cable but you want to do it legally, this is the next best thing.

Cut the Cable Cord and Start Watching

Now that you know how easy it is to watch TV without cable, you can cut your cable cord and start watching smarter.

While not exactly free cable, streaming lets you save big on your monthly cable bills. Plus, you’ll have access to your favorite shows and movies whenever you want to watch them.

Want to ask for advice on finding the right streaming service? Check out our forums and start a conversation.

10 Fun and Enjoyable Activities for People with Limited Mobility

As people get older, they tend to suffer from conditions like arthritis that cause them to have limited mobility. However, this does not mean that one cannot still enjoy some good times. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of mobility scooters in the market that provide a safe and convenient mode of movement from one point to another. With these, one can still enjoy their favorite hobbies and participate in a variety of activities.

We came up with a list of 10 activities and hope that you’ll find something that suits you:

Exercises and Chair Yoga

Having limited mobility doesn’t necessarily mean that exercise is off the table; there are some exercises that can get your body moving even if you aren’t very mobile. For example, while standing you can use a walker for stability and exercise your knees and ankles to prevent them from swelling.

While you’re seated, you could try some chair yoga routines. Yoga is great for people of all ages and comes with numerous benefits such as improved moods, pain management, flexibility, stability, strength, and coordination.

Water Aerobics

Water aerobics and other aqua exercises have been proven to improve one’s cardiovascular health.

Other benefits of water aerobics include reduction of body fat and rehabilitation for illness or injuries. In addition, exercising in the water provides a low impact form of workout that is easy on your joints. This is really helpful for people who are suffering from joint pain.

Reading and Book Clubs

Reading is a fantastic activity that improves brain function. Not only does it keep the brain engaged but it also delays cognitive decline and improves the quality of sleep. You can read physical books, magazines, or listen to e-books to learn new things and stay up-to-date with things happening around the world.

You could also take your reading to a whole new level by organizing a book club among your close friends. This way you get to socialize with like-minded people as you enjoy the benefits of reading.

Watching Movies, TV Shows, and Listening to Music

These are great ways of making your days fun. However, it’s not advisable to spend an entire day watching TV.

You could find some informative documentaries to watch and learn something while you’re at it. Also, you could try out cooking shows and learn how to make your favorite dish in several different ways.

About listening to music… well, music has a calming effect that reduces anxiety and stress. This is a great activity that you are definitely going to enjoy.

Exploring Nature

Spend some time at the park or in your backyard and just take a moment to appreciate nature. The outdoors has a way of boosting one’s mood and relaxing the mind. You don’t really need to move around to enjoy some fresh air; find a comfortable place to sit and enjoy the great views.

Hosting Friends and Family

You could ask some visitors to stop by your place and spend some time with you. It would be more fun if they brought their kids and pets. Make a meal and enjoy it together as you do some catching up. This will not only reduce boredom but is also guaranteed to bring cheer.

Playing Card/Board Games

Another fantastic source of fun is games and puzzles. You have so many options to choose from- some are meant to be played solo and others are meant to be played in groups. You can try filling some crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and card games.

Coloring

Coloring is a simple activity that prevents boredom and improves a person’s overall health. This fun and creative activity boosts moods and reduces stress. Reports show that elderly people who engage in such creative activities use less medication and make fewer trips to the doctor.

There’s also the satisfaction that comes with creating beautiful art. The best thing about coloring is that no skills are needed for one to get in touch with their artistic side.

Learning a New Language

There are many online tools like Duolingo and Flentu that can help you learn a new language.

Learning a new language enriches your mind; it might be quite challenging but its fruits are rewarding. When you learn how to speak a new language, you activate your brain cells.

Charity Work

Check to see if there are any local hospitals or religious organizations in your neighborhood that hold charities in which you might be interested to participate in. Participating in charitable projects gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Get Access to High Speed Internet from a Reliable Cable TV Company

In this day and age, the internet offers great opportunities for getting an education, keeping us entertainment, keeping us informed, tracking investments and it is also a perfect place for finding the perfect shopping deals. And with all the advantages that come with the use of internet, who doesn’t want high speed internet connections in their homes or places of work? In fact, it goes without saying; the internet has become a necessity in our generation.

This has therefore created the need for folks out there to upgrade their internet connections from the ordinary dial up connections. However, the challenge arises when it comes to choosing an option out of the many options available in the market. For us, we understand that with so many companies offering different internet packages and digital tv antennas, it can be quite taxing to settle on one. This is why this post is a good read for you.

For starters, if you have cable TV, then you are lucky because you can get internet connections delivered to you over the same broad band digital cable technology from one of the most reliable cable companies in Montgomery AL. This means that with cable internet, you will also have access to DSL, satellite and perhaps Wi-Fi as well.

That said, here is what you should consider when choosing your internet cable company:

Consider the service provider’s availability – It’s no use trying to use internet packages from a company if it doesn’t serve your area. To find out what is available in your area, do an internet search narrowing it down to your location. You can also get referrals from close ones because with the increased need for internet connection, you are likely to have a friend or a relative who has used these services before.

Consider more than one company – Do not rush into making a decision without looking at several options. The truth is, there are so many cable companies out there that have different packages for varying price ranges. By looking at several options, you can compare the internet speeds and the amount you will be paying for the packages before picking one that fits your budget.

Consider the terms of service – For every service you get, you are supposed to get a terms of service agreement. Therefore, as for your internet connection, make sure that you look at the company’s terms of service and understand what is expected of you, especially in terms of monthly payments, upgrades, download speeds and much more.

Reliability is also a factor worth considering – With internet becoming more of a necessity these days, you cannot afford to get an internet connection that is inconsistent. As a matter of fact, none of the above factors matters without reliable internet services.

Consider the company’s customer service – This is also a reason why you should look at several companies, weigh your options and then settle for a company that meets your needs in more than one way. Truth is, you deserve the best customer support or service every time you have connection problems. Therefore, to ensure that you get that kind of support, find a cable company that offers support not only through voice calls but also through emails.