New Stream Frees Up Revenue

I'm a cheap guy. I have to be. With a wife and two kids that depend on my salary, there is no room for impulse buys and loose credit. I have to pinch every penny.*

These days, when I buy anything that costs more than a latte--and I don't buy many of those--it really has to be worth it. I take my time. I think about the consequences. Then I open my wallet.

How Can You Live Like That?

This is a problem for me, not just because I like spending (who doesn't?), but certain things are considered "necessary" for the Southern California lifestyle. Everyone in my neighborhood, including that Jones family just down the street, has fiber optic cable or satellite TV. Most of them have DVRs too. In 2011, it was clear that we could no longer afford basic cable, so I would have to cut the cord.

But what do I do without cable? People have had experienced existential crises over this question.

That's when I made a discovery and, consequently, my best purchase of 2012: the Roku Streaming Player. With just an internet connection, I have been able to keep my family plugged in to the entertainment they love. Assuming you have a Netflix subscription, you now have access to their streaming library on your TV. No, you don't have to crowd around the warm glow of your 15.6" laptop.

Along with all the kid friendly programming (Netflix recently struck a deal with Disney, by the way) is the fringe benefit of NOT hosting stacks and stacks of children's DVDs. As soon as my boy has moved on from Thomas and Friends, I don't have figure out how to sell 50 DVDs about the Island of Sodor.


Cost

A new Roku retails for $99.99, but I bought an older version and got a major deal on it. I found it on Woot.com for a fraction of the price, plus it was only $5.00 to ship.

To use the device, my monthly costs are:

• $54.99 -  Fiber optic internet connection
• $7.99   -  Netflix streaming subscription

That sure beats the cost of cable! Also, no commercials and no schedules.

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*It just occurred to me that the only value in that statement is in the alliteration because who uses pennies anymore? They cost more than a penny to make!