I felt real guity telling her "No"

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Today, I cut my subscription to the L.A. Times. I was paying $65/month for this excellent newspaper, but because of declining subscribers and ad revenue, the paper is going through waves of layoffs. I felt terrible telling the customer service woman that I wasn't interested in resuming my subscription.

I cut back my minutes on my Verizon plan and deleting my text options - saving me another $40 per month. Once again, it sounded like people are doing this with increasing frequency. Just some major belt tightening with the costs associated w/my home ownership and trying to make ends meet. Last month, I cut my pool service and it feels like I'm helping cut people adrift. I don't want to end up bankrupt one day, but it really hurt telling these three customer servicewomen "No" at such a challenging time - economically...

[alienlovechild 75]

It's your money and choice what goods and services you want. I've never had a newspaper subscription, a more expensive cell plan or a pool. Hard times might make for less waste as you find you can live without the frills.

I made a comment on another thread about living without cable/satellite and just getting a TV antenna. I was somewhat surprised no one felt that was even an option.

[Aubrey 10]

It's your money and choice what goods and services you want. I've never had a newspaper subscription, a more expensive cell plan or a pool. Hard times might make for less waste as you find you can live without the frills.

I made a comment on another thread about living without cable/satellite and just getting a TV antenna. I was somewhat surprised no one felt that was even an option.

I'd totally do the TV antenna thing, except I get 4 stations here, and 3 of them are PBS. So it's basic cable @ $11/month for me. I'd go nuts without at least the big 3 networks.

But yeah, Americans waste tons of money on frills, and most are in debt because of it. Over-purchasing is what put the economy into this mess, so don't feel bad about cutting back. Our economy has to be strong enough to hold up without just retail purchases!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I haven't gotten a newspaper in years since the LA Times became available online for free. I suppose there will always be a need for printed newspapers, but for me and I'm sure most, it's much more convenient and cheaper to read it on my laptop or office pc. And while the loss in circulation may hurt the LA Times, it is also saving them money in production costs. Newspapers should be able to survive from online advertisement, IMO.

Verizon will survive if people cut back on the extra features.

But cutting back on pool cleaning, gardening or house cleaning - IMO, unless you simply can't afford these kinds of services as you might have before, I'd continue paying for the service...keep those people working.

[NickD 203]

Greatest lost in newspapers would be investigative reporting, like those two reporters working for the Washington Post that uncovered Watergate, think Robert Redford was one of them. But that appears to be far in between, mostly opinions today, and believe the word they use is yellow journalism. Ha, our local paper can't even get a simple birth announcement right, and that editor is someplace out in left field if even in the ballpark. If you respond, he uses his right to edit your letter to the editor, don't need that.

Major advantage of the Saturdays paper is grocery store coupons, but why coupons? And 99% of the coupons is stuff I don't buy anyway. Sundays paper is the comics, but really quite boring.

Internet is killing the newspaper, why lay out cash when AJ and Mr. Fancypants do it for free? Ha, would be more interesting if they also posted coupons as well with comics that are funny. But also a lot of BS on the web, about 95% of it. News is out, trying to brainwash you into a particular opinion is in.

[Krikit 1,166]

I made a comment on another thread about living without cable/satellite and just getting a TV antenna. I was somewhat surprised no one felt that was even an option.

Correct me if I'm wrong, here, but I thought that analog television transmission was being terminated in February, therefore making antennae reception obsolete.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Today, I cut my subscription to the L.A. Times. I was paying $65/month for this excellent newspaper, but because of declining subscribers and ad revenue, the paper is going through waves of layoffs. I felt terrible telling the customer service woman that I wasn't interested in resuming my subscription.

I cut back my minutes on my Verizon plan and deleting my text options - saving me another $40 per month. Once again, it sounded like people are doing this with increasing frequency. Just some major belt tightening with the costs associated w/my home ownership and trying to make ends meet. Last month, I cut my pool service and it feels like I'm helping cut people adrift. I don't want to end up bankrupt one day, but it really hurt telling these three customer servicewomen "No" at such a challenging time - economically...

It's your money. How you spend it is your choice. Why the bellyaching? Geez, grow some ballz.

[almaty 19]

thanks, mr. empathy

[Ban Hammer 14,251]

dang i thought this was gonna be another story about colombia

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

thanks, mr. empathy

[Aubrey 10]

I made a comment on another thread about living without cable/satellite and just getting a TV antenna. I was somewhat surprised no one felt that was even an option.

Correct me if I'm wrong, here, but I thought that analog television transmission was being terminated in February, therefore making antennae reception obsolete.

That's what digital converter boxes are for (with the government $40 coupon). Just saw a dude buying 2 of em at Wal-mart at checkout yesterday, in fact.

[Krikit 1,166]

I made a comment on another thread about living without cable/satellite and just getting a TV antenna. I was somewhat surprised no one felt that was even an option.

Correct me if I'm wrong, here, but I thought that analog television transmission was being terminated in February, therefore making antennae reception obsolete.

That's what digital converter boxes are for (with the government $40 coupon). Just saw a dude buying 2 of em at Wal-mart at checkout yesterday, in fact.

Ahhhh, I see.

[Jasman0717 9]

I have just been going online due to the layoff issues and both the Times and Register have carried articles otherwise I just read the news that A.J. posts

[Cacerez 19]

I'd be alright if I didn't have to spend so much darn money on international phone calls. Once this whole Visa thing is over I'll feel like a rich woman!

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I made a comment on another thread about living without cable/satellite and just getting a TV antenna. I was somewhat surprised no one felt that was even an option.

I really don't watch much television. There isn't much time in my day to waste. I wish I had that time, though...