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9 Ways to Lower Your Cable Bill

Return the cable box in your bedroom and nix DVR service or cut the cord altogether to save money on your monthly cable costs.

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Updated Aug 16, · 2 min read

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Written by  Kelsey SheehySenior Writer

Kelsey Sheehy

Senior WriterExpertise

• Small business
• personal finance

Kelsey Sheehy is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She started at NerdWallet in and spent six years as a personal finance writer and spokesperson before switching gears to cover the financial decisions and challenges faced by small-business owners. Kelsey's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nasdaq and MarketWatch, among other publications. Kelsey has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC's "World News Tonight" and has been quoted by the Los Angeles Times, CNBC, American Banker, NPR and Vice, among other publications. Prior to joining NerdWallet, Kelsey covered college (and how to pay for it) for U.S. News & World Report. She is based in Washington, D.C.+ more Edited by  Sheri GordonAssigning Editor

Sheri Gordon

Assigning EditorExpertise

• Credit scoring
• budgeting
• making and saving money

Sheri Gordon is a former assigning editor on the Core Personal Finance team at NerdWallet and has edited financial content for more than 20 years. Before joining NerdWallet, Sheri was on the business and metro copy desks at the Los Angeles Times, where she worked on stories that won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. Sheri has edited publications on arts, culture, food, education and activism. She has also edited books on water policy, healthy living and architecture. Sheri earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at the University of California, Los Angeles.+ more Co-written by  Tommy TindallLead Writer & Content Strategist

Tommy Tindall

Lead Writer & Content StrategistExpertise

• Consumer debt
• saving money
• gig economy

Tommy Tindall is a personal finance writer who joined NerdWallet in , covering consumer debt, practical ways to save money and the gig economy. Before NerdWallet, he worked on the marketing and communications team at Fannie Mae. Today, Tommy strives to make the topic of money approachable for all. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Associated Press and on MarketWatch. Tommy is based in Bel Air, Maryland.+ more

Cable bills never seem to get less expensive. Instead, they might jump $5, $10 or $20 without warning or a clear reason.

Those small increases can really hurt. But you can take control of your budget and your cable bill. Here are nine ways to lower your bill right now.

1. Cut back on premium channels

It's hard to say goodbye to HBO, but getting rid of its Max streaming channel could shave as much as $16 off your monthly bill with some providers. Let go of Showtime and you could save $12 more per month.

Farewell doesn't have to be forever, though. If you can't live without a particular series, remove the channel when the season wraps.

2. Pare down cable boxes

Premium channels aren't the only extras you can trim. Additional cable boxes often cost as much as $10 per month. Maybe the cable equipment in your bedroom isn't necessary after all.

3. Pay attention to fees

Call your provider's customer service line and question each fee on your bill. Some will be unavoidable, but maybe you can sidestep others, such as a $12 per month 'regional sports fee,' by tweaking your plan. And if the cable company won't budge, a fee like that could be cause for cancellation.

4. Nix DVR service

Miss your favorite show? There's a good chance you can watch it on demand the next day. Even local news segments live on via the stations' websites. Ditching your DVR service or reducing the number of hours you can record could trim $10 or more off your monthly bill.

5. Downsize your plan

Trimming your cable package to include just your must-haves could save you as much as $40 per month with some providers ' and you might not even miss the extra channels.

6. Bundle cable and internet

Pairing your cable and internet service could save you more than $1,000 over two years with some providers.

Just don't get talked into bundling services you don't need, such as a premium cable package when you want only local networks or higher-speed internet service that you use only to watch Netflix. These may indeed be great deals for some users, but that doesn't make them great for you.

7. Negotiate a lower rate

Don't be afraid to haggle with your cable provider. You may be able to negotiate a better deal by talking to customer service and asking for a discount. Here's a script for exactly what to say when you call your provider.

8. Seek out cheap cable

Compare the rates at each provider in your area. As long as you won't face a sizable cancellation fee for switching from your current service, you could end up with a cheaper alternative.

9. Cut the cord

Still not satisfied with your cable bill? Ditch it and save more. The internet has made it easier to find free programming. Plus, you can still watch broadcast TV with the help of a digital antenna and binge your favorite series with Netflix or Hulu for a portion of the cost of cable. Subscriptions for Netflix start at $6.99 per month, while Hulu's base plan is $7.99 per month.

You could also consider a live TV streaming service. Plans from live TV streamer Sling start at $40 per month. There's also Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, which both offer a cable TV-like experience for around $70 per month. And here's a hack for football fans: Cut the cord and subscribe to a service such as one of these for just the six months of the season, then cancel.

Whether you go bold or make small cuts, you're bound to save money on your cable bill.

More like this

Tray cable is a unique and multi-faceted product used across many control and power applications, including in facilities like chemical and industrial plants, utility substations, and commercial and retail buildings.

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), tray cable is described as: 'a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors, with or without associated bare or covered grounding conductors under a nonmetallic sheath, for installation in cable trays, in raceways, or where supported by a messenger wire.'

The NEC casts a pretty wide net over its description, but for a good reason. Like any other wire sold, tray cable comes in different forms to fit unique applications.

Tongda supply professional and honest service.

So, before placing an order, think about how the tray cable will be used, where it will be installed, and what conditions it will likely experience during its usable life. Knowing what you want ahead of time will limit mistakes, cut down on costly delays spent tracking down answers, and get you the cable you want when you want it.

What to Know Before Placing Your Tray Cable Order

There are seven questions you should be able to answer before placing a tray cable order with your electrical distributor. Forgetting to answer even one of these questions could leave you scrambling with a bunch of wire you don't want or need.

Footage

This one seems like a slam dunk, but having a good handle on how much tray cable you need can help you avoid the agony of either ordering way too much product or not enough.

Concerned the amount you need won't meet minimum order requirements? Kris-Tech has a low minimum order threshold, making even small tray cable orders possible.

AWG

What size wire do you need to safely allow current to flow?

The larger the wire, the higher the carrying capacity will be. But what are the consequences of misjudging the wire size in the first place? Sometimes, it can be the difference between a safe installation that lasts for years and a possible electrical fire.

Tray cable is available in a wide range of sizes, from #18 AWG into MCM sizing. If the gauge is too small for the current pushed through it, heat buildup can melt the insulation and expose the copper conductors to the elements. Once exposed, those conductors could short and start a fire.

But what happens if the cable gauge is bigger than what the project needs? For starters, you'll be wasting money on an over-spec'd cable that was too big for the job in the first place. You may also have to pay higher costs for larger conduits to fit the larger gauge tray cable if it isn't exposed run (-ER) rated.

Conductor Count

How many conductors (wires) do you need inside the tray cable?

The answer to this question is entirely dependent on the job itself. Depending on the application, you could need as few as two conductors, though there are plenty of cases where you could need a multi-conductor cable.

Insulation

Tray cable insulation comes in several forms, so it's good to know what type you need for the job.

VNTC tray cable uses THHN insulation around the individual conductors. This insulation gives the conductors flame retardant properties and protection from the elements.

XPTC tray cable, on the other hand, uses cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) to insulate the individual conductors. Compared to THHN, this insulation gives the conductors higher heat resistance and is easier to maneuver inside conduit or along raceways. XLPE insulation is durable and versatile, making it optimal for installations in wet or dry locations, indoors or outside, and in tight spaces.

Shielding

Tray cable shields wrap around the conductors to protect them from outside interference. A shielded tray cable can also protect sensitive equipment from electromagnetic energy coming from the tray cable itself.

Kris-Tech's tray cable can be ordered with an aluminum-Mylar shield with a tinned copper drain wire for additional protection.

Jacketing

Jacketing provides overall protection to the tray cable conductors, allowing them to withstand damage more effectively.

Kris-Tech's tray cable is jacketed using polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is one of the most used jacketing materials. PVC is heat, oil, chemical, and sunlight resistant. It can also protect control cables from abrasion damage.

Other jacket types include thermoplastics, thermosets, and low-smoke, zero-halogen options. You can learn more about each type of jacket by reading our tray cable jacket guide.

Colors

A crucial aspect that sometimes gets overlooked is what tray cable color code will be needed for the project.

There are three commonly used color codes; E-1, E-2, and M-4, though custom colors and prints are available.

E-1: This color code has white and green conductors included alongside black, red, orange, and blue.

E-2: There are no white and green conductors in this tray cable color group. Instead, the colors are black, red, blue, orange, yellow, and brown.

M-4: For those who like their tray cable a little more monotone, M-4 color-coded tray cable uses all black conductors with printed numbers on the insulation.

Unicorn: This Kris-Tech concoction is available as a build-your-own option, allowing customers to select the colors and prints they need for the job.

Confidently Tackle Your Next Tray Cable Project

Once you know what length, gauge, conductor count, insulation, shielding, jacketing, and colors you need, ordering your tray cable should be effortless.

Quickly get what you need without the risk of ordering too much, too little, or missing a piece of the puzzle that could potentially haunt you later.

As always, if you have questions, Kris-Tech is here to help. Our dedicated tray cable experts can guide you through the purchasing process and help you complete your project safely.

The company is the world’s best Control Cable supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.