C'mon, you don't need cable and you certainly don't need to buy movies or other Pay Per View events in this day and age. Most network websites, such as CTV and Global offer the bulk of their primetime line-up through free streaming video and a subscription to Netflix – despite its slimmer selection compared to the U.S. -- only costs $7.99 a month. These days, you can always find a free Torrent for any show you can think of, whether it airs in Canada or not, and for those too impatient to wait for a download to finish, there are also sites that provide links to streaming versions of classic shows from the past and shows still on the air today.

Approximate savings: $2,000 a year, depending on how much you cut.