• Rule One of responsible deletion: If you finish watching a show, erase it from the DVR to free up space for friends and family.
• Rule Two of responsible deletion: If you must delete an unwatched show to record something new, then that show should be something you recorded in the first place.

Updated for 2020:

February 25, 2020

Selecting an internet service provider is an important decision that will affect the way you work, play, learn, and communicate.  In the year 2020 the high-speed internet offerings from companies like AT&T, Spectrum, Xfinity, Centurylink, Rise Broadband, Viasat and Hughesnet can be pretty overwhelming and confusing.  From staying in touch to loved ones, to sending professional emails, to reading e-books, to binging Netflix, you use your internet connection for just about everything -- so you owe it to yourself to select a service that you can be happy with! 

1.Service Type Internet service providers use a variety of methods to get internet to your residence, and these methods all have their pros and cons. The four basic types of internet connection are known as DSL, Cable, Satellite, and Fiber Optic service. We will cover the details of these internet connection methods in an upcoming Bundle Your Internet blog article -- but for now, let's take a quick look at the basic advantages and disadvantages associated with each.

• DSL tends to be affordable and very consistent, but is relatively slow. Believe it or not, many companies still offer DSL.  These companies include AT&T internet, Earthlink, Centurylink, Frontier, Windstream and several other smaller carriers. 
• Cable internet is fast and widely available -- but can slow down during peak use hours. We all know most of the major players in the cable tv and internet space which include Xfinity (Comcast), Spectrum (Formerly Charter Spectrum, Time Warner Cable and Brighthouse Cable), Cox Communications, Mediacom, WOW, RCN, Windstream Telecom, and many many more.
• Satellite Internet  This service is a great option for some but may be slightly more expensive than other services your are used to -- but it is available in many rural areas where other connection types do not reach.  For that reason Satellite services like Hughesnet and Viasat are great options.
• Fiber Optic Service is stunningly fast and effective. The only drawback is that is a new technology that is only available in limited areas. Companies like AT&T, Verizon, Centurylink, Earthlink, Windstream, Metronet and Frontier offer this type of service.

3.Cost and Contract. The cost and fees charged by various internet service providers in your area will clearly play an important role in determining the right internet company for you. Taking the contract length and general terms of service into account is also smart, even though this might not be as obvious a point as price comparison.  The typical length of contract for a cable/fiber/DSL internet provider is 0-12 months.  The typical length of a satellite internet provider is 24 months

4.Equipment. Unless you own a router and a modem, you will need to rent this equipment from an internet service provider. The good news? Bundling equipment with your internet service can help save you a pretty penny on each of these necessities.  You can typically count on a $5-$20 charge on top of the advertised price for equipment like a router or a modem.

5.Reliability. Research internet provider uptimes in your area. (Not even the fastest download speed is worth it if it only works 50% of the time!) In general, customer reviews taken from your geographical region can provide a good insight into the pros and cons of each internet company.  Other factors can come into play when it comes into reliability, like type of service and the weather.  Lines that are buried underground like fiber tend to have less disruption than lets say a service like HughesNet or Viasat which may be affected by the wether.    

6.Customer Support. Even the best internet companies experience problems from time to time -- and sometimes, internet problems can be caused by your own mistakes such as a poorly configured modem. This is why you should look for a company that offers quality customer service.  I think we can all agree that cable companies have a bad reputation for customer service.  The truth is they all are striving to provide the best service possible but often times the experience depends on the representative you get on the phone.  You can have a completely different experience from one phone call to the next depending on the tone and experience of the agent you are speaking with.  I have called Xfinity to complain and hung up on the first rep, only to call back and be received by a warm and friendly representative who was able to help with my internet connectivity issue in seconds.   Once again, reviews are a good way of getting to the bottom of this question. For more information on finding the best internet service provider in your area, visit Bundle Your Internet online today!

Are you completely satisfied with your current internet service? Or do your connection and download speeds sometimes make you want to throw your router out the window? Regardless of your answer, the fact remains that you are very likely paying too much for your internet service. So read on to learn about nine creative and effective ways of saving your hard-earned cash while still getting the online connection you need to work and play.

1.Negotiate With Your Internet Service Provider.

Perhaps the easiest way of getting a lower rate on the same internet connection? Simply asking. Of course, you will have more leverage in these negotiations if there are viable competitors in your area -- and things will go even better if you come prepared and educated on the prices and deals offered by said competitor.

Many internet providers will match the prices of their competitors rather than lose existing customers. 2.Seek and Apply for Subsidies. Families with low income and/or who live in public housing may qualify for a subsidy on their internet bill, allowing them to stay connected. Private and government subsidies allowing not-for-profit businesses to stay connected on the cheap also exist in certain areas. Do your homework, and you might just walk away with a better deal.

3.Purchase Your Own Router.

Unless you own your own router, a portion of your monthly bill is actually a rental fee for a router that belongs to your internet company. Spoiler alert: as with nearly all items both big and small, owning is cheaper than renting in the long term.

4.Consider Cutting the Cord on Cable.

A growing number of people are considering cutting out cable costs all together based on the assumption that internet now offers them most of the same viewing options. For some people, this may be true -- however, we encourage you to check out this recent Bundle Your Internet article on getting rid of cable for more information.

5.Or, Better Yet, Bundle And Save.

In many cases, you can pay less for both your cable services and your internet services (not to mention your telephone bill) if you bundle these service together with the same company.

6.Take Advantage of Signing Bonuses.

Many internet companies attempt to entice new customers by offering signing bonuses and/or free service for the first few months. So if you are considering switching your internet service provider, be sure to research current deals in order to take full advantage of every option available to you.

7.Find a Lower Price from a Competitor.

Switching internet service providers is usually about more than just signing bonuses and cool discounts on your first months of service, however. In many cases, switching to a different internet provider can result in a substantially lower bill -- sometimes for faster internet or better customer service, as well! If you are interested in finding a better deal from an internet service provider in your area,

check out our deal finder at Bundle Your Internet!

5 Ways to Improve Your Home Theatre Experience with High Speed Internet

If you are serious about getting the best TV and movie watching experience possible, then the odds are good that you have set up a home theatre, or are considering investing in one. After all, it is difficult to compete with the immersive experience that such setups offer! If you feel like you are not getting enough out of your home theatre system, then you should take a proactive approach to improving it! After all, you have already invested a lot of time and money into creating this setup, and there are many simple fixes that can improve your home theatre without breaking the bank. In fact, some of the tips below could even save you money! So without further ado, here are 5 ways of improving your home theatre experience.

1. Upgrade your Cable Package.

Would you like to have access to more channels and more live events all while paying less for your cable package? This scenario may sound too good to be true, but the truth is that millions of Americans are currently paying more than they need to on sub-par cable deals. Don't believe us? Check out Bundle Your Internet to see how much you could be saving!

2. Buy a New TV.

A bigger, better, smarter TV could be a big improvement in your home theatre. And the good news is that flat screen TVs are now more affordable than ever before. Aside from being affordable, smart tv's connect directly to the internet so if you have fast internet and a good internet service provider, it won't take much to start streaming.  If you think that buying a new TV might be the right decision for you, then we encourage you to check out this recent Bundle Your Internet blog article, 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying a New TV.

3. Get Faster Internet Service.

Another shameless plug for ourselves: Bundle Your Internet can also help you get better deals on internet, in addition to cable and phone services. We keep track of prices and special deals, finding the best offers from the most trusted cable providers, helping you meet your unique needs in the most affordable way possible.

4.Invest in Better Home Theatre Seating.

With all the money you save by paying less for internet and cable, perhaps you can invest in new home theatre seating! New furniture can be more comfortable, it allows you to seat more people, it gives you an opportunity to redefine your style, and can even be a good investment in terms of durability.

5.Pump Up the Sound.

No home theatre is complete without surround sound! This is truer today than ever, due in large part to the way that modern TVs are constructed. The race to make televisions constantly thinner and lighter has harmed the sound production offered by television speaker sets. A thin TV is simply bound to create a weak, treble-heavy sound, and there is little that can be done about this -- which is why external speaker systems are now a must. Want to learn more about improving your home theatre? Interested in saving on your internet and cable bills? Visit the Bundle Your Internet blog today!