I signed up for a special package deal through my cable company 25 months ago: Cable, Phone and Internet for only $99 per month for two years. It seemed like such a great deal at the time, since the alternatives were either slower or more expensive and one check to one provider seemed so attractive. Of course, I ignored the fine print that told me that the “free” (and addictive) Digital Video Recorder was only free for the first year. When I noticed the $16 monthly rental on my bill 13 months ago, I called and groused about the DVR charge and how slow my internet connection seemed to be. My next feat of sales resistance resulted in keeping the DVR for another year, adding some kind of warpspeed option and an additional package of channels so I could watch FoxBusinessNews. The chap I spoke with was a Macintosh fan (I do Macintosh support for a living) and so we had some rapport established. After about about 15 minutes of ranting about the PC’s he has to use he signed me up for another $20 per month, with my knowing that this would all come home to roost in a year.

Well the second year is up – and the roost is full! My first bill just arrived and I have to pony up $170 per month to keep the service.

I won’t.

I’m looking for suggestions on how to cut costs and separate as much of my services as I can.