Shave your cable: Want to know how a cheapskate (that would be me) handles a cable upgrade? Comcast's basic cable costs about $16 a month but since a low-priced introductory digital package got me hooked on the high-definition channels and the info guide from the HD cable box, I now pay an extra $7 a month for the HD channels and set-top box rental. Mind you, this is not standard cable that costs about $50 a month for more than 60 channels. Basic is only about 30 channels. Be forewarned: Many readers have told me that Comcast staffers don't want to acknowledge that basic exists, so you may have to ask for a supervisor. Remind the person that the federal "buy-through provision" requires cable companies to offer the el-cheapo basic plus, if desired, premium channels without an upgrade for an extra amount. Estimated savings: $400 per year or $35 per month.
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