While it’s true that more and more people are opting for streaming TV these days, one question money expert Clark Howard still gets a lot is, “How can I save money on my cable bill?”

Here’s how to save money on your cable bill

An easy way to keep your cable but save on your monthly bill is to eliminate your modem fee. Many cable companies charge a monthly fee for using the cable modem that allows you to connect to the internet and watch television. Take a gander at your cable bill and see if you can find this fee or “surcharge.”

Most cable companies charge between $6 to $10 per month for a cable modem. That means you’re paying up to $120 a year — and that fee never goes away. It’s just a perennial charge that the companies collect as long as you’re a customer.

So not only are you paying for the actual content you’re consuming, but the cable company is basically charging you a rental fee for that rectangular box. The great thing is, you can buy one yourself and cut out the middleman altogether.

For example, a Netgear N450 WiFi Docsis 3.0 Cable Modem Router gives you internet access and the capability to get all the channels you subscribe to. It currently costs $69.86 on Amazon.

That means for a one-time charge, you can save as much as $50 in the first 12 months and be done with that fee forever.

Before you buy, make sure that the modem you choose works with your cable provider. The Netgear modem’s product description says it’s “compatible with Xfinity from Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, & more.”

internet modem - here's how to save on your cable bill — Photo credit: Amazon.com

No matter which cable modem you choose, make sure it has Wi-Fi. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy a separate router.

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Here’s one easy way to save big money on your cable bill

Here’s how to save money on your cable bill

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