According to Ofcom the average UK person watches 3 hours and 36 minutes of TV per day 1
These 10 ways are not designed to tell you what to do in life but are just some little pointers to get you thinking differently, many people including us, use TV as an easy way to relax after a busy day at work and there is nothing wrong with that.
1) Guilt
TV is generally shown as this glamorous world full of unlimited possibilities but the majority is unaffordable to the vast majority watching, this subconsciously leads you to reflect on your own life and most likely will leave you feeling slightly negative towards your life and success…. unless of course you fancy buying from these….
2) Adverts!
These cleverly targeted and heavily manipulating video clips show the problems you didn’t know you had and how you can solve them with this one simple product or service.
Does Jeremy Kyle and Debt Finance Adverts spring to mind? A large % of those that will be home during the day watching TV will not have a full-time job and therefore may be tempted by loans / credit cards etc. These quick and seemingly easy solutions to problems often can spiral those signing up to them into debt and back to step 2.
Of course, you could just record all your favourite programmes and fast forward the adverts, easily knocking 10-30 minutes off your TV watching time each day.
3) Dumbing you down
Lots of television programmes are educational or designed to better yourself (& those are great) but many are mundane shows that just repeat other people’s lives as you sit and watch. This could lead you to a lack of ambition in your career or a drop in interest in exceeding yourself. Both would cost you dearly over time.
10 ways to learn a new skill – How to code, How to start a business, How to get a qualification etc
4) Poor Diet
Those addicted to certain TV shows may plan their meals around the show times and may not spend the time to prepare a healthy meal instead opting for an expensive pre-packaged meal or takeaway.
5) Becoming overweight
Not only are diets often changed when watching excessive TV but if you’re sat for 2-5 hours a day watching TV you’re most likely not moving or exercising at all, this will lead to an increase in your weight and most likely a higher risk of various health conditions which will cost you &/or the NHS extra money. You may also end up trying to counteract with expensive diets/gym memberships etc.
6) Saving energy
Depending on your TV you may be paying as much £40 a year just to keep it on 4-5 hours a day 2 – A modern 42” LED Panel should be costing you around £14 a year to run but an older Plasma would be costing you around £40.15 3
“TV is generally shown as this glamorous world full of unlimited possibilities but the majority is unaffordable to the vast majority watching”
7) “Did you hear me?”
When you’re sat watching TV often you’re not interacting with the other people in the room, if this is a partner, over time less communication may mean a poorer relationship which might need to be patched up with additional spending on gifts.
8) Less sexual intercourse
If you have a TV in the bedroom instead of falling asleep in each others arms you may find yourself & your partner asleep with the TV still on. This can be unhealthy for relationships and lead to less sex and we all know sex is good for you, right?
Here’s How Money Affects Your Relationship, According To Science
9) Monthly Subscriptions
Rather obvious this one but how could we avoid it? With a full Sky Digital packaging costing as much as £110 a month that could be a £1,320 spend a year! Even on their lower Variety Bundle you would be looking at £384 a year. There are much cheaper PAYG or even free alternatives out there.
10) Less time to improve yourself or starting a secondary income stream
The more income streams you have the less worry you should have in your financial life. Starting a Blog, Gaming for money or setting up a secondary monthly income stream all takes time, time you’re currently spending watching TV.
