Which expenses would you cut first?
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
You get the sense that now, more than ever, major telecom companies are shaking in their boots.
Yeah, profits are sinking and, sure, costs seem insurmountable, but I think what’s really hitting the Rogers and Telus’ of the world is that people are finally figuring they just may be expendable.
Such was the finding of the Washington Post, at least, who detailed a new survey yesterday that shows mobile data plans are of the most vulnerable expenses consumers would cut if the going gets tough.
To be clear, mobile data plans are about as fairly-priced as dinner at that 360 restaurant in the CN Tower. I feel so bad after paying my cell phone bill each month that it’s as if Rogers just took me home and didn’t call the next day.
And so it’s maybe no surprise that, according to the new U.S. survey, nearly half (48%) of mobile phone users said they would drop their data plans completely if they were “facing budget hardships.”
Another 19% said they’d drop their cell phone altogether but, despite being a definite plausibility, isn’t likely an honest reality for most of us.
So this all got me thinking. It’s one thing to sit back and preach about what others could do without, but if times got tough (or tougher), what expenses would we legitimately be able to cut from our lives?
I looked up and down my apartment for answers on this one, yet no matter how many unworn shirts or crappy seasons of Prison Break on DVD I found, nothing even comes close to warranting as much of a reduction as my cell phone and cable TV plans.
And this brings me back to my original point: who, with more than ever looking for ways to trim the fat, is more susceptible to having their services downsized than the major telecommunication companies?
Browse about the Internet and you’ll find oppositions to this, most of which suggesting brown bag lunches and ditching your air conditioning should be the first moves you make.
But I still stick to my stance on this one. Agree? Disagree? What would be the first to go for you?
Posted by: Mike | Jul 10, 2021 9:48:40 AM
Yep, I'd cut back on cable TV and wireless data but that would be after ditching the SUV - if I had one :)
Posted by: Deb | Jul 12, 2021 1:05:41 AM
First to go will be my once a month visit to my sister($50.00 gas) A bottle of booze & mix' cigs (100.00) I guess that a $20.00 phone bill is cheaper. I'm not a city slicker.
Posted by: John | Jul 12, 2021 10:19:08 AM
The cell would be the first to go, followed by highdef TV. Highdef is such a waste. If you really want highdef, get out more and see the real world.
Posted by: Don Armitage | Jul 12, 2021 4:50:43 PM
I have tried to discuss cutting our cable bill several times with wife and children. I would really like to get it below $100/month, but everytime I mention it, the fury grows louder and more forceful. Cable is not something that family's are willing to live without.
Posted by: s ray | Jul 12, 2021 5:21:40 PM
I've already cut out major expenses such as cigarettes, and car payment( I drive a 1997 van) and don't drive much anyway. I've cut the cell to just emergency use and my plan is basic. I'd cut the internet next, and the cable is basic, so I guess I could do without it, but I like it in the winter. I don't have digital or Hi def. Any suggestions?
Posted by: dave | Jul 12, 2021 9:19:43 PM
i cancelled my satilite t.v, i turned off my hot water tank,ive cut back on using hydro ,
i spend my summer at my trailer ,as the season fee , is far cheaper that the cost of tv and hydro ,
also not being in my home , im not using the telephone at all , also i cut my dial up internet , as i can use internet cafes if i really need to, at a fraction of the cost,
also i shop more realistly and just buy sale items if i need them, i also make my own wine , cheaper that way , i use email if i need to talk long distance ,
and really im still quite comfortable,
as for the winter time , i will be using oiled filled radiators to heat my home , as its a lot cheaper than baseboard heaters , also ill not heating the rooms in my house that im not using , but in winter i will turn on my hot water tank , as i dont need my pipes to freeze
Posted by: WC | Jul 13, 2021 6:59:57 AM
I got rid of my cable for my TV 2 years ago and do not miss it at all. and my cell phone is for emergencies only.
Posted by: roger | Jul 13, 2021 7:09:19 AM
first thing I did was cut satilite t.v,if we want to watch a program,we download it from the internet and watch it..$100.00 a month saving secound I cut off my natural gas and heat my house with wood...a saving around $300.00 in the winter months.Third thing I did when my wife lost her job,was cut out the secound car and her cell phone a saving of $250.00 a month there(gas.insurance)..got no a/c in the house for three years now,use fans and a HUG saving there and we buy our food when it is on special..we now have three freezers full...like we buy our bread for $1.00 a loaf and buy 10 at a time and freeze it....most of our meals are lest than $5.00 for two people,anybody can do it...you have to shop for bargains!!! same as the gas for the car,I buy when the price is low and fill all the gas can I got and when the gas price gose to far up,then I have my reserve to use till the price gose back down!!!
Posted by: kris | Jul 13, 2021 7:28:46 AM
I think I would cut the land line phone - it would be missed a lot less than the cell phones and it seems like half the calls are from telemarketers who seem to ignore "do not call" list anyway.
Posted by: fd | Jul 13, 2021 7:21:09 PM
i read these comments and i am bothered that everyday hardworking people have to make these kinds of sacrifices and cant enjoy the fruits of their labour. i wonder if all the govt officials and all the people that screw the people out of their money have made these kinds of cuts? i am thinking not, and thats the screwed up part of it all.
Posted by: Pam C | Jul 14, 2021 2:03:18 AM
Cutbacks are temporary and we have found other ways to have fun without spending money...going for bike rides...day hikes and walks...going to the beach beats spending money for hotels, airfare or gas and souvenirs for vacation...look in your local paper for free entertainment...concerts in the park...kid related activtiies...free or by donation at art galleries...leave eating as a true treat and go once in while and plan meals in advance to avoid the home at 5:00 and what do I cook syndrome....Most of all have fun being frugal! ;0)
Posted by: Dosman (In Halifax) | Jul 14, 2021 11:01:07 AM
I turn back the heat during the winter months. It's also a good idea to put a blanket on that hot water tank for starters. Invest in some energy saving light bulbs, been using them for 5 years now. Cable TV is a waste of time, rent or download a movie, read a book, or go outside & injoy the real world. I go to the used clothing stores all the time, you can get some real good bargians there.
A strict rule I try to adhere to is a simple one, whenever I go into any store to shop. I tell my shelf, these two things, it's a matter of needs vs wants. One would be suprized of how many wants that we have compared to needs. (-;
Posted by: mcshane | Jul 14, 2021 11:09:15 AM
No cell phones, no holidays, cut way back on booze, no eating out. Buy meat on sale same with cheese, butter and stock up. Grow our own sweet peppers, tomatoes. Next year will go alot bigger with vegetable garden, re-hook up the well for toilet and gardening as city water bills will sky rocket to replace rotten pipes. These cut backs will not be temporary...this is the writing on the wall...be prepared. Oil will skyrocket again, electricity bills will NEVER go down nor will property tax, rent, water rates, cable, internet or natural gas. People need to be self sufficient where possible. Wages and welfare are getting chopped. (Except for politicians... bar Danny Williams Premier of Newfoundland who takes no wage).
Posted by: Rene | Jul 16, 2021 4:09:19 PM
I guess if I had to I would probably cut on the amount of movies I rent, my girlfriend and I probably rent 13-18 movies a month so thats about $102 to$142 a month. then probably get less channels for my TV, our bill is about 150 a month for TV/phone/internet. most channels I dont watch anyways, probably should start walking to work or ride my bike for the summer cause i only like like a 10 min walk but dont really feel like leaving 10 minutes earlier.
call me lazy I don't care, I guess the way I see it, if my bills are getting paid and not running behind and I still have money left over after paying for all these Luxuries then why cut back now.