AT&T is the local phone company where we live. They started a new thing called U-Verse 2 weeks before we moved in which says that territoriality we cannot order basic phone services through them, we are REQUIRED to purchase U-Verse (a fiber-optic phone, internet, and TV service). They charge $149 to install each item if you refuse their TV service. They just can't believe that I don't WANT TV service. They keep saying, "Well, you own a TV right?" I called 4 times and was transferred around and around until I finally got someone to just hook up Internet only (plus their $149 hook-up fee). I have NEVER talked to a company more frustrating and stupid in their logic than AT&T.
Several people where we live have told us they use Magic Jack. So we turned off the AT&T basic phone, which took me a week to get them to install anyway, and we've been using Magic Jack for two weeks. It cost $46 with shipping and handling to use it for a full year. No monthly fees, just the one-time purchase fee. I have to say that the quality is not any worse than a cell phone. It can be choppy once in awhile, but hey...no contracts, no monthly fees, just $46 for the entire year! Who can beat that?
Basically, we are now paying $40 a month for Internet, which also supplies our phone and TV. We used to pay about $120 for all three.
Netflix Instant Play on Wii
Another money saving item that we are using is Netflix, which cost us $15.12 a month for two movies at a time. They now offer Instant Play for a lot of movies that can be played on a Wii. They send you a "game" disc from Netiflix that you put in your Wii. Then you set it up to your account and all your instant play movies in your Que will play directly on your TV through the Wii. Very nice! We used to have to hook up my laptop to my TV to watch things on the Internet. Now we only do that for TV shows in our Hulu.com account.
We have been watching TV series, classic movies, and some recent releases through our Wii. It even saves your spot if you pause the movie and turn off the Wii. Parental controls can apply.
They also have this service on other game systems and Internet connected Blu-ray and HD TV's. Check out this page for more info.
Dr. Pepper is one of the "seven" food groups! (grains, veggies, fruits, meats, dairy, fats, and Sugar/caffeine) Wasn't my husband thoughtful to provide so well for my nutritional benefit? I hope that you had a great mothers day as well. He was so sweet when I was pregnant with the baby. He actually learned to cook during that time, and not just while using a microwave and opening a box :-) I've known all along he was a keeper! Netflix has saved my sanity on many occasions! Glad that you have it there. Hope everyone is feeling well, and tell everyone "Hi!"
ReplyDeleteWe have VIOP phone service through our cable company who also provides our internet. I've found the fastest way to get rid of people trying to upsell me cable or dish services is to explain we don't own a tv (we haven't for 4+ years). My parents have had Vonage for 6+ years and loved it.
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