So I adore Netflix, about the greatest creation for those of us who live in the boonies. At various times I have been on different levels, but have for some time been on what I thought was the lowest level of 3 out at a time, unlimited. Well, it had been so long since I had checked the options that I decided to go and look and see if anything had changed. I was very happy to see quite a few new levels. We've been with Netflix from the beginning and it should have occurred to me to check sooner, but oh, well. Anyway, I reduced it to one movie out at a time, unlimited, so am now at $9.99 a month there instead of $17.99. So that auto charge will drop by 8 bucks. I am not quite ready to give it up altogether.
I spent a good amount of time going over the Freebies lists this morning and signed up for 12 samples. It would have been more but some of them just wouldn't load. I started a notebook that lists the sample sent for, the date I sent for it, and how long it should take to show up, so I can try to track them down if they don't get sent. I fully expect at least half of them to not show up, though.
I thought I'd better be organized about it after reading (from start to finish) someone's blog that had major couponing, rebating, and sample acquiring. Mine is on paper after reading her computer went wonky and she lost quite a bit of info. I will never be that deep into it, though. It's hard to be that organized with the kids around.
I have read about 5 blogs now (archives, too) and am amazed at all the different approaches to this savings thing. All sorts of interesting terminology that I had to look up, like ING accounts and such.
DH and I are discussing other cuts we can make. The big sticker is cable. I'd like to drop down to the most basic program they have. He doesn't want to because he doesn't want to lose SciFi channel. I think that since the two shows he wants to watch (the new Dr. Who and the new Battlestar Galactica) come out on DVD soon or are out on DVD already, we can get them from Netflix. He doesn't want to wait the extra couple months for the DVD's.
For now I will let it go, but I'll take it back up next month and see if sitting with the idea for awhile has made a difference. Could be I'll even manage to get him to suggest it and think it is his idea which I can then agree with. It's been known to happen. My parents have a dish, so maybe we can record those two shows and then he wouldn't have to wait at all. Hmm. Maybe. Mom's a bit uptight about subject matter. We are in there every Friday anyway for Rose's dance class so I could tape it and retrieve it on the same day, even. That might make a good compromise.
More DVD Stuff and Discovering Freebies
April 13th, 2006 at 12:08 am
April 13th, 2006 at 01:50 am 1144893038
April 13th, 2006 at 01:51 am 1144893114
Recording off your parents cable is a great idea...Maybe you could demonstrate to DH how easy it could be before the new BG season starts...which I think isnt until October....Good Luck!
April 13th, 2006 at 02:06 am 1144893995
Me: "I've been a customer for a while and I really like your service, but the cable company has jsut offered us $xx/month for the same package I have now. Given our long-standing relationship, I'd prefer not to switch. Do you have any offers for existing customers?"
Doing this (and agreeing to a new 2-year commitment) saved me $15/month for the first 3 months and $10/month for the next 3 months. I still pay a ton, but given that I had no intention of giving up the dish it was better than nothing.
Also, does your cable company offer anything for referrals? DirectTv gives some ridiculous credit ($50?) if you refer someone.
Finally, are you bundling your cable with your online service and/or your phone service? I have cable internet that I pay full price for because I use the dish, but by bundling, I could save a ton! Good luck...
April 14th, 2006 at 10:10 pm 1145052657
One thing about calling the cable...like any membership, if you want a better deal the can haggle. If you want to CANCEL, HAH! Usually they will flip handstands to keep you on.
But if you're in the boonies and they are the only cable in town, ouch. That's us. And yep, DH loves BG. We will have the DVDs as soon as they are out, so you can always have ours when we're done
Keep up the GREAT work!
MJ
April 14th, 2006 at 11:33 pm 1145057588