A few years ago, I decided to cut out the overpriced advertising circus that is cable TV. It was way too expensive, as I was living in the Lower East Side (where I also paid way too much for a bedroom), and made less than $40K–besides, most of the shows were crap anyway. I’ve been pretty happy since, although there are definitely times when I just want to come home and veg out to thirty minutes of mindless sitcom. Sometimes a DVD just doesn’t cut it.

Then I discovered Hulu, an online video streaming website that allows you to watch all your favorite prime time television shows for free! I signed up for the service during their beta testing and it was pretty great, (although at the time they didn’t have tons of shows to choose from). Hulu offers prime time television shows like Chuck, Ugly Betty, and a favorite that should have never gotten pulled off the air, Arrested Development. If interested in programming from CNN or ESPN, you’re out of luck-Hulu only has episodic content.

But Hulu showcases more than just television programming. You can tune into flicks like Ghostbusters and Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear. Hulu’s movie selection, admittedly, is it’s biggest weakness; many of the movies aren’t shown in their entirety, but in clips. You can identify full length movies at a glance as they have a film reel icon next to their titles.

With Hulu expanding the market and changing the way we view our favorite tv shows, there’s absolutely no need to pay for expensive cable–unless you have to have your nighly dose of Sportscenter. But if you’re willing to exchange Steward Scott for an extra Benjamin in your pocket every month, dump the cable and use that cash toward tackling a student loan, or if you’re lucky, impressing a special someone on a cheap date.

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