What a Rip-Off!

Just got the satellite TV bill yesterday, and this month, there was an additional small slip of paper. In tiny print, this notice proceded to inform customers that as of Feb. 27th, the rates will increase. We've had 3 rate hikes in the nearly 5 years we've been here, but unfortunately, we never get an improvement in service.

Apparently this is one of the down sides to living in the country. It may be quiet and secluded here, but we don't get cable. Up on our hill, we do get local channels fairly well with our hideous, rusty antenna on the roof. We can grow vegetables and see the wildlife. We can spend 2 hours mowing the lawn, but we can't get good TV at a decent rate!

So, for the 3rd time since subscribing to satellite TV, John and I had the BIG DISCUSSION: are we really going to continue to pay into this racket? Lately, we have been watching local channels for the most part, and episodes of "Northern Exposure" on DVD. The kids watch PBS. This morning, I made the call. I discontinued our DirecTV service. Jenna had to cry, that she couldn't watch "The Magic Schoolbus" anymore (it pleases me that her favorite shows are science based).


The compromise? Aha, you knew it couldn't be this easy, right? We are going to purchase a few more of our favorite old shows on DVD. John has been pining for "Emergency" for years, along with "Gilligan's Island". A small price to pay.


I won't miss the commercials. I won't miss paying the bill every month. I will miss the National Geographic Channel and The Food Network. Thank goodness for Cooks Illustrated magazine and good old National Geographic in print! I won't miss the big remote control with 47 buttons in various colors. Simplify, simplify, simplify!


T