How We Ditched Cable TV

Cable sucks…seriously!  Or should I say “cable companies suck!”  Cable providers force you to pay for more content than you will ever watch, so why are you still paying nearly $1,500 annually when you could be spending less than 20% of that?  Recent research shows that cable subscribers are paying an average of just under $105 per month and this doesn’t include real and faux taxes, cable box fees and other additional costs (source).  

We cut the cord a few years ago and we’re glad we did.  I guess I should point out that we don’t watch much TV, so it’s probably easier for us than most people to give up the channels that air the programs that you’ve become die-hard fans of over the years but it can be done!

There are several different options on the market nowadays and this article does a great job explaining many of the alternatives, but I’m going to focus on the few measures we’ve taken to cut the cord.

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How we ditched cable TV but still watch our favorite shows AND sports!

• Mohu Leaf
  
  The cheapest and easiest way to tap into primetime content is to use an antenna to pick up the digital signal of your local networks such as ABC, Fox, NBC, and CBS.  The only catch is that you have to live close to (or in) a major metro area in order to pick up a station’s signal, but the good news is that you can find out your signal strength based on your address by using this link.  
  • You can find the Mohu Leaf on Amazon for $30 or $70 (just depending on the range that you need).  This is a great option if you just want to watch the local news, prime-time television, and/or programs that air on the major networks.  After all, it pays for itself after just one month.  

Annual savings = $1,370

• Netflix
  
  The advantages and interest in Netflix are well-documented nowadays…unlimited subscriptions are $7.99 for the digital (unless you want to run the service on more than one screen at a time) and some of the Netflix original series are great (like Stranger Things, Narcos, and Longmire).
  • You need to have a Smart TV or some other extension like a Roku, XBOX, PlayStation 4, or Apple TV in order to run Netflix, but most people already have access to at least one of these devices.  We use the Roku stick which is very convenient and can be found on Amazon for $50.

Annual savings = $1,350

Amazon Instant Video

Amazon Prime

The Amazon Prime service is $99 annually (or $49 for students and teachers), but comes with more than just streaming video services.  They also offer a 30-Day Free Trial (see link below). Amazon Prime includes so many benefits, so the cost of instant video is actually nominal when you take those benefits into account.  You can find many of the same TV programs and movies that Netflix offers (minus the Netflix Originals), so this may be a good option if you just want to watch TV occasionally and don’t care to get deep into a certain series.  

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

Annual savings = $1,440 (because we’d spend the $99 on Prime anyway)

• SlingTV
  
  Sling is a great replacement to cable if you want to do some surfing and have access to a large variety of content and watch your favorite shows live.  There are three different packages from Sling – Orange, Blue or Orange and Blue combined.  You can see which channels are included in each package by visiting Sling’s website.  
  • We subscribe to the Orange package because I mostly watch ESPN, but it includes access to other great channels like AMC, Comedy Central, HGTV and the History channel. Sling is ideal for those that spend about 5-10 hours a week watching TV.  

Annual savings = $1,200

With our setup – the Roku Stick, Sling TV and Netflix – we saved about $1,000 per year by cutting the cord (enough to pay for most of our annual ski trip to Jackson Hole!).  So, what are you waiting for?  Free yourself of the cords and start saving some big money!

2017 Fitness & Finance Challenges

2016 has been a tough year for us with deaths in the family plus a lot of other stressful events. I'm pretty sure there was a six week period where I only slept 3-4 hours per night. Needless to say, the stress took its toll on me. I'm happy to leave 2016 behind and move forward into 2017. At least I can say the Cubs won the World Series in 2016! :)

With each new year we love to release new challenges and this year is no different! We have a 12 (or 16 week) workout challenge, 21 day jump start challenge, fitness challenge calendar, and a money saving challenge. No matter what your goals are we can help you meet them!

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Also, don't forget to sign up for our newsletter so you hear about all of the new challenges first! You can sign up here. We never spam you, we just bring you recipes and workouts! You will also receive a FREE HIIT eBook instantly!

Feel free to keep up with us on social media using the links below. We are on snapchat under hesheeatclean.

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She Sweats Winter Workout Challenge

Our She Sweats Winter Workout Challenge will give you that motivation to "become the best version of yourself" in 2017!  Plus you could win a prize pack valued over $200!

It's simple to enter:

• Purchase your workout plan (you can use the 12-Week Transformation, 12-Week Run Builder, 13.1 Plan, or Marathon Training Plan). You must have your own copy. It is illegal to distribute copies of this workout.
• Before starting, take your "before" pictures with some sort of time stamp (using the time stamp on a camera or a newspaper). Make sure your pictures are clear. You can wear what you prefer but make sure it is something where you can tell your progress throughout the challenge period. Take pictures from the front, side, and back. Stand using good posture.
• Complete the workout plan that you choose.
• Take "after" pictures in the same manner that you did your "before" pictures.
• Email your before and after pictures (together) to thegang@heandsheeatclean.com.

BEFORE PICTURES MUST BE TAKEN BY JANUARY 31, 2017. AFTER PICTURES ARE DUE BY MAY 31, 2017. Note: This is a longer time frame to account for the 16 week half and full marathon training plans. If you are doing a 12 week plan you can send in your pictures once you are finished - you do not have to wait until May 31

ARE YOU IN? PURCHASE YOUR WORKOUT PLAN & FILL OUT THE FORM AT THE END OF THIS POST TO LET US KNOW YOU ARE READY! THAT'S IT!

You can choose between the gym or the at-home version or get both for those days when you can't make it to the gym (the plans are interchangeable). The bundles (that include the workout plan and eBooks) also count. You can choose your product from the drop down menu below.

She Sweats 12-Week Transformation {At the Gym} ($30.00)She Sweats 12-Week Transformation {At Home} ($30.00)She Sweats 12-Week Transformation Bundle (Gym and Home) ($50.00)Go Clean Bundle {Gym Version} - Workout & eBooks ($40.00)Go Clean Bundle {Home Version} - Workout & eBooks ($40.00)

She Sweats 12-Week Run Builder {Gym Version} ($30.00)She Sweats 12-Week Run Builder {At-Home Version} ($30.00)She Sweats 12-Week Run Builder Bundle {Gym and Home} ($50.00)Go Clean Bundle {RUN - Gym Version} - Workout & eBooks ($40.00)Go Clean Bundle {RUN - Home Version} - Workout & eBooks ($40.00)

She RUNS This Half Marathon Training Plan ($30.00)She RUNS This Marathon Training Plan ($30.00)

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31-Day Full Body Fitness Challenge

Our newest fitness challenge has just been released. This is the perfect compliment to your She Sweats Workout Plan! New challenge calendars are released every month or you can view our past ones here.

21-Day Jump Start Challenge

Not really sure where or how to start? Confused about what you should be eating and when? We have you covered! The 21-Day Jump Start Challenge is also great for those who are looking to break a plateau, try something new, or get ready for a special event! This includes a workout plan, meal plan, AND education on how to make this a lifestyle. Request more information here.

12-Week Money Challenge

We also love to start out the new year with a new money challenge! Start with this one and in three months you will have saved an extra $600! Learn more here.

{{You can view all of our other money challenges here.}}

For all of our free resources including free training calendars and clean eating challenges, click here.

Fill out the form below to let us know you are doing the challenge!

3 Month Money Saving Challenge

Sometimes it's best to start off small and easy, that is true for fitness and finance. With the new year approaching, many of you will be setting goals to save money. It sounds like a great goal (and IS a great goal) but if you don't really have a place to start it's overwhelming. You could do a no spend challenge but that might be a little bit too extreme for some. You could also start our beginner money saving challenge that puts you on a path to save $500 in six months but I want you to have bigger goals and accomplish them faster! You CAN do this!

This three-month money challenge will have you saving $600 by the end of the challenge. In order to do this, you will be saving $50 per week. This amount may sound easy for some but hard for others. I am confident that the majority of you CAN make this work.

In order to save the $50 per week, you will want to look at your expenses. This could be something as simple as quitting your morning drive-thru coffee habit (save at least $28 per week) and/or eating out for lunch or dinner (save at least $70 per week). No matter what time of year you are starting this challenge, you will likely have a holiday come up. Just because it's a holiday on the calendar doesn't mean you have to buy gifts or spend money. If you want to make the holiday special, do something with your loved ones! There are many free options and, again, gifts are NOT required. Another idea is to go through your bills and cut out unnecessary expenses. Maybe you can downgrade (or eliminate) your cable or you could lower the data you pay for on your cell phone plan. Every little bit adds up! You could also come up with this $50 per week by selling items that you no longer use or need. Each person will have their own journey so personalize this to you! Most of all, do not give up!

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Interested in more money saving challenges? Try one of these:

Save $1,000 in 3 Months

3 Month Money Saving Challenge

Beginner 6 Month Money Saving Challenge

52-Week Money Saving Challenge

12 Month Money Challenge

$300 12-Week Christmas Money Saving Challenge

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Looking for a printable version of this challenge? We've got you covered! Join our newsletter and you will be taken to a black and white printable version right away! Grab the printable challenge here.

The $50 per week breaks down to $200 per month but that can seem like a lot of money per month so I like to break it down into weekly goals. :) But if you like to think of it as $200 per month, go right ahead. Do what you need to do to accomplish your goals!