Can Your Life Be Richer Without TV?

ILG · #1 12-27-2010, 09:13 AM

Forget that old hellfire and brimstone preaching about the one eyed devil and read this article. Now, I have to take offense about what she said about not going to the library (since I work in one), but she makes some good points.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...ithout-tv.aspx

missourimary · #2 12-27-2010, 09:31 AM

I haven't ever owned a TV. I don't think it's evil... I think it's boring. When I moved to college, I couldn't have TV in our older dorms. The electrical system wasn't set up to handle computers, microwaves, TVs, or dorm sized fridges. When I graduated, cable was outrageous, I was broke, and no one in town got reception without cable or a monstrous tower of tinfoil and wire extending from their antenna. When I moved to an area where I could have gotten reception, TV just didn't make much sense anymore. My dad talks about TV constantly, and sleeps with his remote. I didn't want my life to revolve around a box the way it did in my teens--I enjoyed the freedom from the TV Guide.

I checked into getting a TV recently. I can only get three stations here without cable. TBN and CBS don't impress me enough to make buying and finding space for a $200+ piece of equipment worthwhile. I did order a month of Netflix for the holidays so I could watch some Christmas movies I haven't seen in 19 years, but will cancel my subscription in January. The local library has DVDs for checkout, and I might check something from Blockbuster or Redbox once in awhile to watch on my computer.

seguidordejesus · #3 12-27-2010, 09:34 AM

I recently started viewing some shows that I enjoy online, and realized quickly what a time waster it is, so no more....

ILG · #4 12-27-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missourimary

I haven't ever owned a TV. I don't think it's evil... I think it's boring. When I moved to college, I couldn't have TV in our older dorms. The electrical system wasn't set up to handle computers, microwaves, TVs, or dorm sized fridges. When I graduated, cable was outrageous, I was broke, and no one in town got reception without cable or a monstrous tower of tinfoil and wire extending from their antenna. When I moved to an area where I could have gotten reception, TV just didn't make much sense anymore. My dad talks about TV constantly, and sleeps with his remote. I didn't want my life to revolve around a box the way it did in my teens--I enjoyed the freedom from the TV Guide.

I checked into getting a TV recently. I can only get three stations here without cable. TBN and CBS don't impress me enough to make buying and finding space for a $200+ piece of equipment worthwhile. I did order a month of Netflix for the holidays so I could watch some Christmas movies I haven't seen in 19 years, but will cancel my subscription in January. The local library has DVDs for checkout, and I might check something from Blockbuster or Redbox once in awhile to watch on my computer.

We've never gotten a TV since we've been married (24 years ago). When we left the UPC, we never really thought about getting one. Well....we have a TV per se.....we just don't use it for anything except videos. No commercials which is great. Also, internet has everything nowadays you could want. I will never say we will NEVER get a TV, but I don't see getting one anyway.

ILG · #5 12-27-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

I recently started viewing some shows that I enjoy online, and realized quickly what a time waster it is, so no more....

I like to watch videos to relax, so I don't consider relaxing a waste of time, I guess.

But I would feel aggravated if I had to sit through commercials I didn't want to see.

sandie · #6 12-27-2010, 10:28 AM

Wow, I really admire all of you who don't have TVs.

I never turn the thing on in the day...unless there's something newsworthy happening and I feel a need to stay informed. However, at night....it's my pacifier, I need help and prayer!

When our power went out recently and my husband hooked up the generator I said the first thing is, hook up the TV (dummy me forgot the cable would be out too), see how much help I need!

seguidordejesus · #7 12-27-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

I like to watch videos to relax, so I don't consider relaxing a waste of time, I guess.

But I would feel aggravated if I had to sit through commercials I didn't want to see.

No doubt it's my tendency to want to stay there for any extended period of time, and also, I get a great idea about something I need to do halfway through a program so either leave off watching or forget what I was going to do lol

NotforSale · #8 12-27-2010, 11:17 AM

Haven't had a TV for over 30 years, and don't plan to get one. I do watch video, which is great because I can pick and choose what to watch at the time I want to watch a particular movie or documentary. Also, no commercials which is another time waster.

The big one is "When", for me. A TV requires a person to be bound by their time. Many times my wife and I will turn off a movie half way through the program and watch the rest later.

Another thing I notice about TV is when I visit my parents I see how the News affects their life. My dad seems to be hooked on the repetitious forum of the News, and when we talk politics, religion, or other current events I can tell he is totally using the News as his learning tool. Even my mother notices this, and she tells me that the News will repeat the same story, over and over with an extremely bias opinion.

The only thing I wish I could watch from time to time is a sports game. I do love baseball and basketball, and seeing these games might be fun to watch.

Dedicated Mind · #9 12-27-2010, 11:20 AM

I went without tv for a few years when I was in the upc, but I have one now. I don't watch during the day, but I watch in the evening. I don't like comercials so I usually watch movies, basketball games or news. I am very selective on what I watch, so I don't consider it a waste of time.

RandyWayne · #10 12-27-2010, 11:44 AM

We have a pretty nice setup with our DirecTV whole house system, where the two DVR's are networked together and can share content. On top of that we can watch Netflix on any of our sets along with whatever DVD's we happen to have.

But...... the thing is barely on. We record what we want to watch and of course the Netflix is on demand. About the only thing we will watch live is football but even then we like to let it record for 45 minutes to an hour before starting so we can fast forward through as many commercial breaks as possible.

I spend FAR more time at my computer then at the TV (is "TV" even a legitimate word anymore? Sort of like saying "I listen to tapes".)