In Other Words with Dave 

Ah, March. It’s time to clean out those flower beds and reorganize the garage. Dig through the pantry for ancient relics (I’m looking at you, minced clams from 2018), load up the car with things we don’t use, clothes that don’t fit, and Christmas gifts we can’t regift – then drop them off at the Hope Center or the EARC. 

Spring cleaning can be exhausting. So let me suggest one low-effort, high-yield activity to add to the list: Plant yourself on the couch and trim back the streaming services. 

Somewhere along the way, our streaming lineup got a little overgrown. Is that one series on Paramount+ really worth the monthly cost? Peacock, haven’t been there in months – you’re outta here. NFL Sunday Ticket – just like the KC Chiefs, you didn’t make the cut. 

Family plans. Don’t get me started. As empty-nesters, why were we still paying for the premium family plan when “the family” has gone off to college, graduated, and barely texts us back? (It’s fine, they don’t read my column). 

Our biggest offender? Hulu Live. Letting go of streamed local seemed overwhelming until we bought an inexpensive antenna. Gone are the chrome rabbit ears of yesteryear; this little money saver is powerful, unobtrusive, and allows us to get all the Ogles and local programming we want to watch. 

This digital nip and tuck put quite a few dollars back in our pocket, maybe for a cool vacation like the ones we see on Wheel of Fortune (which we watch for free now). Spring cleaning doesn’t always require gloves and garbage bags. Sometimes, all you need is a remote.