I've never seen a theater that offers cheaper tickets online. They all wanna send you to movietickets.com or fandango.com which tack a $1 fee on for EACH ticket purchased online. Also, student discounted tickets cannot be purchased online. Therefore, you either have to 1) forgo buying the tickets online, b) lie, buy senior ticket online (which they do allow, and which are usually the same price as students) and hope you don't get caught, or c) buy an adult one honestly and hope they refund you at the theater. AMC has a moviewatchers program where the card gets you out of the $1 fee but I don't know the equivalent of that at other theater chains.

Anyway, I recommend NOT buying tickets online unless you're afraid the movie will sell out.

Get the "Lifeline" service package (I call it 'ghetto' or 'welfare cable' that consists of channels 2-22, all the crappy local access, the spanish channel, c-span and the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX) for about $20-23 per month.

The cable companies don't want you to know this, but you can add the HD package to the Lifeline package, as well as all the PAY channels like HBO and SHOwtime as well, saving a lot of money over that extended basic they want to make you pay for ($70+ per month).

That and they didn't mention Redbox in #3... much cheaper if you plan on having the movie for only a short time.

We have Netflix and I can't recommend it enough. We just have a crappy free TV and an 8 dollar antennae to watch local channels and it's great. Watch Instantly is enough to keep me paying for Netflix. I've seen way more television shows through that than I ever did with Cable. I could keep going on but if I did that I would just sound like a Netflix Shill.

My parents never bought us stuff at the snack bar in theaters when we were kids, and instead smuggled us fruit and stuff like that to eat during a movie. I learned long ago how to make a cup of complimentary water last a whole movie. That doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun, but I'm there to see a movie, not eat a 5 dollar bag of popcorn.

Do not forget Redbox!

Check out Get Rich Slowly's article on how to cut your cable TV bill in Half http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/02/19/how-i-cut-my-television-bill-in-half/

They talk about the rpice difference with iTunes, Hulu, and others vs what you end up paying per month on a cable bill... You can get better quality programming if you just do it yourself vs letting the cable company dictate what you watch every day

We've canceled our blockbuster plan because of redbox.

Plus, we rarely go to the theater, but when we do we are fortunate enough to have a "training theater" about 15 minutes away where they show first run movies for $2 matinee and $4.25 for evening showings. It's an older Cinemark theater with sticky floors, mild screen sizes, no stadium seating. But I was told they use it as a management training theater so the service is always top notch and you can't beat the prices.

I wouldn't have cable if I didn't get it heavily discounted.

You mean $50 to see a UFC fight on TV is a bit of a rip off? Surely you can't be serious!?

@Scuba Steve: It's actually not that much of a ripoff, compared to the $50/pp that I paid in Vegas last weekend to watch it on TV's at the Mirage (couldn't afford going, and the only way to watch it on the Strip was to pay that stupid amount and watch it in a ballroom, and nothing else was included in that price)

Wow, @12-Inch Idongivafuck Sandwich: $50 to watch it on TV, that's crazy. I went to a sports bar that charged $5/person. Of course I wasn't in Vegas.

Here's how I save on cable. When I signed up, it was $55/month for cable and high-speed interent. After some random amout of time, it went up to $99 (apparently my intro price - that I didn't know was an into price - had expired). So, I told them I wanted internet only (which was $30 + a $10 'non-cable suscriber fee'), so $40. I asked why they charged a fee and they said it was standard practice. But, the truth is that in order to send the internet signal, they have to send at least the basic channels (like 2-22). They charge $20 for the basic channels so, if I don't want that, then they charge the surcharge of $10.

So, I was getting high-speed 'net and the 20 channels for $40...but wait, there's more! After a couple of days I noticed that ALL 75 channels were back! Not sure why or how, but there were there. Then, I got a new tv (with HD) and found out that the cable companies are required to send free (unencrypted) HD to the channels that you could get 'over-the-air', so now I get the basic (local and PBS) channels in HD. Plus, somehow ESPN is on there and several others will show up from time to time.

SO, I was happy paying $55/month for cable and internet. Then, the cable company tried to be greedy and charge me $99. Now I pay $40 for MORE than I had before if you count the HD. They could have been making $15 more per month if they had left things as-is, because I was happy paying that. But, now I'm even happier because I get more for less.

When will they EVER learn? But, I can't complain, I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

I can't recommend NetFlix as a viable alternative to satellite and PPV enough.

For about $20/MO I get to watch unlimited movies and tv shows from my XBOX360 and both laptops (quite useful when on the road). I also get three Blu-Ray DVDs to watch on my PS3 (the only reason I bought it).

HBO, CINEMAX and the rest simply aren't worth the extra money -- especially since the content and viewing choices aren't much better than standard cable.

@Scuba Steve: It makes me weep to have to fork over $50 bucks for a pay-per-view event, but I gotta get my UFC on man. I haven't been to a movie theatre in a decade, so it sort of makes up for it.

Lately I've been feeling the financial pinch, so 3 weeks ago I called my cable company and told them I wanted to drop cable (but keep my hi-speed internet). They asked if they could lower my bill, would I consider keeping the service. I said maybe, and asked what they could do for me. They said they could lower my $101 bill down to... $91 a month. Wow, how can you guys afford that?

I guess the "ask for a lower rate" thing doesn't work every time.

So I dropped cable and honestly I haven't missed it for a second.

Drop cable altogether. Just use an antenna to get broadcast TV for free.

Depending on what cable deal or package you had, the best quality antennas are likely somewhere around the cost of one month of cable. Chances are your TV already has a digital tuner, so the antenna is the only cost. Beyond that, obviously, everything on broadcast is completely free.

Furthermore, most shows are at least 720p; a lot are 1080i. I don't recall the exact resolution I was getting with Comcast HD, but it was likely less than that.

Depending on where you live, you'll probably get all the major networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox), CW, MyTV, some Spanish-language channels, a bunch of public channels ... maybe more?

Chances are pretty good that the cable shows you're missing are online on Hulu or the network's site.

Unfortunately, there's no way for me to get Entourage. Then again, I didn't dare pay for HBO when I had cable either, so it's not much of a change.

Both of my local theaters charge an extra $1 "convenience charge" to buy tickets online. I've never seen a theater with cheaper online tickets.

@TCama: "Drop cable altogether."

Would love to. Unfortunately, DirecTV has a nasty ETF. (that lasts three years)

@BZMedia: Maybe not for long ... [consumerist.com]

I called Cincinnati Bell last week to cancel our service which was costing $95 per month for internet and digital cable. When I told the guy we were done, he offered to lower our monthly bill by $20, eliminate the $8 DVR fee and include HBO. I couldn't resist.

@korybing: and having the roku player with my netflix makres the netflix membership worth much more to me. i rarely return DVDs quickly but i can watch an entire series of nostalgic TV or get caught up on a season of something i missed on the roku instant viewing on a saturday afternoon while i'm doing stuff around the house.
including a lot of stuff that comes from premium cable channels that i don't want to pay for.
i get my HBO without having to have HBO. i just have to be a little patient but then i can watch a whole season of dexter or the tudors at one time

@SgtMajorFragg:
I called Comcast yesterday to inquire about adding Showtime to my cable plan (I'm a Dexter fan and really wanted to see Nurse Jackie). They told me it's $19.95 (for one pay channel!) I've decided Dexter can wait until I either get episodes from itunes or rent it on Netflix.

@redskull:
When I asked for a lower rate, mine went from almost $100 a month to $55 per month. Maybe you should call back and actually threaten to cancel.

@catastrophegirl - sometimes makes typos and doesn't care: Yeah, thats the great thing about watching stuff a season late.
1. You know already if it jumped the shark or not.
2. Not having to wait a week for the next episode.

I watch like one episode every day at lunch. That typically works out as "one month, one season". And makes my netflix subscription so worth it.

They mention the library, which is good. We only get basic cable, but when we hear about some hit show on one of the premium channels, we just wait for the library to get it on DVD because they always do. Yeah, it's a wait and there's a spoiler risk, but it's freeeeeeeee. Most decent libraries of any size these days have online systems where you can place holds without leaving your home, and many will even then deliver the item to your home branch or the branch of your choosing.

Plus seriously, with some of these shows it's way more fun to watch all of them together in a week rather than being cliff-hangered by Christmas break and other time off between episodes. And they're uncensored (unlike the CBS airing of Dexter). And if you really care, you can watch the extras.

And if you really really can't wait for the library's copy of the DVD (or your library system sucks), Costco has many of them for much less than a couple of month's worth of pay channels.

i really wish i could select my own channel lineup.

despite having 200+ channels on directv, we could easily give up 85% of the channels and only miss out on 5% of the tv we watch.

@Scuba Steve: do it the way i do it: rotate monthly or bi-monthly with other friends who watch it.

Or if i noticed your tone correctly, not watch it at all. In that case, i must humbly disagree with you sir. UFC makes boxing look old and outdated. While the antics of Brock Lesnar make it looks a bit WWE-ish, he is the exception and not the rule. He's also a douche and not a Mixed Martial Artist.

@italianscallion33: Actually, Fandango has student tickets. Just bought some the other day. And yeah, the "convenience fee" sucks. But hey, it could be worse. It could be Ticketmater.

@TheWraithL98: "Bundling" keeps a lot of borderline channels alive. And the channels most of us don't want to pay for (HSN, JewelryTV, etc) are moneymakers for the cable companies.

@italianscallion33: yeah, i've never seen a theatre offer lower online prices either but their websites often show some other deals you can get.

there's a theatre near me that serves food and they offer deals like these:
MENU SPECIALS
Monday - A Wing Thing: Our famous HOT or BBQ Wings are half price.
Tuesday - Pizza Party Night: $3.00 off all large pizzas.
Wednesday - A free side salad with each entree order.
Thursday - Sundae Night: A free Cinderella Ice Cream Sundae with each entree order.
Friday - Sweet Treats: A half-priced dessert with each entree order. Note: Desserts eaten in a dark theater contain no calories!
Saturday - APE About Apps! : A half-priced appetizer with every two entree orders.
Sunday - POPS: A free basket of popcorn with each entree order.

AMC theatres' website indicates they do unlimited coke and popcorn for $5 mon-thu at many theatres.

Here is my $$ saving video watching setup.

1. Basic as in FCC regulated cable, just local broadcast, access and for some reason C-SPAN1.

2. QAM tuner card and GB-PVR free PVR software on a central computer.

3. 2TB external USB hard drive.

4. 2 Western Digital WD-TV boxes with hacked firmware to read an NFS fileshare. [b-rad.cc]

I can now record, or rip, or download any video file to the central computer and watch it anywhere in the house in HD.

I get all the locals in HD. DVDs of the childrens programs ripped onto the hard drive. Hulu, You-tube and BBC has all kinds of stuff from the internets.

There is also bit torrent. And NO not everything available from bittorrent is copyrighted. There is a lot of copy-left, and public domain materials available via bittorrent so shut up.

I wouldn't even need the basic cable if it weren't for the fact that I live between two mountains and cannot get an over-the-air signal.

@TheWraithL98:

The problem with cable now-a-days is that despite having 200+ channels, if you are looking for something to watch on a Sunday afternoon, all that is on are info-mercials.

Thats why I gave up on cable tv.

When I noticed I wasn't watching about 95% of the channels I subscribed to, I became part of the "drop cable altogether" club. I'm in my second full year of:

- Netflix
- the Internet (computer hooked up to TV)
- an old weird system where things are streamed directly into your house and not over the Internet or anything. I think it's called...."broadcast?"

When news breaks, CNN streams it live. I can still watch The Daily Show (just not at 11 p.m.) and it's still funny. I'm a hockey fan, too, and the NHL conveniently streams their games online (for a price). I watched all of the Sopranos in one year and five seasons of The Wire in one summer. It's all very nice.

I don't feel smarter than anyone and I really make an effort to not be smug about it, but I don't miss cable one bit. Or the outlandish bill.

I get free lifeline service by simply plugging my existing wall cable directly into the coax of the tv. I'm grateful, considering my digital reception is completely unusable (due to all the buildings blocking the signals).

Dollar movie theater near campus FTW! Only a buck all the time with a student ID, plus the Sundae Grill (think Dairy Queen) across the street gives you 50% off with either a stub or a student ID.

@SexCpotatoes: If you're only going to get 20 channels, why not just get an antenna and and get those 20 channels in HD for free?

Can't really object to ppv when it comes to movies. The charge is about the same as going to Blockbuster. Other than that, combining all Verizon services (FIOS for Internet, voice and video and Verizon wireless) resulted in a savings of about $50 a month.

For TV I use a program called PlayOn which streams Hulu/Netflix to my PS3 and XBOX 360. Yes, for this setup to work you need an XBOX 360 or a Playstation 3 but it works great. Limited/No commercials, on demand TV and movies for $30 (one time cost) plus an XBOX/PS3 (they are working on getting it to work with the Wii).

Now, if somebody would just talk Fox into leaving their shows up for more than 8ish episodes on Hulu it'd be great.

@tbax929: Read the last sentence of my post (just FYI, not saying it snarky). I already canceled it 3 weeks ago.

If anyone out there is on the fence about their cable, I wholeheartedly recommend dropping it. Trust me, you won't miss it. There's so much more to life than watching people dance, sing karaoke or eat food and tell me how it tastes.

@italianscallion33: think if you join their movie fan club, you get the $1 fee taken off... joined one for free

@bryandawg:

a) they should be putting a video filter on your line so that you don't get the video... if the $10 charge doesn't explicitly say basic cable included

b) your 'free' HD local channels are coming over through (Clear)QAM

c) comcast in my area is switching from analog to digital... requires a digital adapter... :(

@SexCpotatoes:

I only pay $15 a month for basic cable from comcast, and that includes a lot more channels than you are talking about.

@korybing: My problem with services like Netflix is that I use them a lot at the beginning and then slow down as the weeks go by. The last time I had Netflix, I had 5 movies out for 8 months.
Obviously not their fault, but I was obviously paying for a service I was not using.

Should be titled: Spend More on Internet. If everyone cancels cable there's going to be brutal bandwidth caps and rate increases

@taking_this_easy: Really? That sucks. I thought all of the cable companies were going to convert the digital signals for analog customers for x years. Cox is doing that for 3 more years.

@kaceetheconsumer: I would LOVE that in the Fairfax County (Northern VA where we pay a lot of taxes) Library System. I think they have a handful of DVDs, mostly educational and a few children's ones.

My parents' library (my former hometown) has plenty of new DVDs. Either free or $1/week. They live in the suburbs of PA.

Costco's often sells ticket packages for my local theaters that provide lower rates than online or even at the theater. Though you have to by them by the block (4 or 10 I think) and some do have restrictions (i.e. not valid for the first 2 weeks for new releases).

@TCama:

Dropping cable (or satellite, which is what I have currently) isn't really an option since I live in a valley, and all the broadcast towers are on the other side of the hill...so no antenna coverage for me, unless I get a really huge tower antenna...which isn't allowed in my area anymore.

The movie theaters in my area are just one big rip-off.

Most do not have matinees. Most are $10.75/ticket, then add $3/ticket for 3D, or $4/ticket for IMAX. For the good theaters, you want to book online, and that's another $2/ticket. So you're looking at $25-30(!) for a pair of movie tickets.

Now, Costco offers those pre-paid movie tickets at $15/pair, but that doesn't cover the extra upcharge for 3D or IMAX, so you're still looking at $21-23 for a movie.

Meanwhile, I have a modest home theater setup at home with a couch positioned in the prime spot so we can put our feet up, or cuddle, or even break out the TV tables and eat dinner. We can rewind, skip, and pause the movie if we need to, and for once, the volume isn't so loud we end up partially deaf with headaches.

I've heard there's a place in Austin and a few other cities that's a combination movie theater and grill. That sounds like a nice combo, and I wish someone would bring it to the silly-con valley where I live.

It's a very, very good idea to call Comcast and negotiate with them for their service. Lately, they haven't been batting an eyelash when I call to negotiate every 6 months. Half the year my cable is discounted, and the other half, my Internets. I haven't ever, ever paid full price for cable. I am currently getting $200 worth of services for about $110/month.

Dropping cable for me isn't an option because half the time the TV is on, I'm watching some sort of sports (go Phils). If there was some reasonable way to watch all my sports channels online, ESPN and local, I'd drop cable in a heartbeat.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another way to save hundreds of dollars on an existing monthly fee than by spending 10 minutes on the phone with a cable CSR, twice a year.