Everyone�s budgets are a little tighter these days. We want to be able to relax and enjoy simple pleasures like watching TV, but we also have to be mindful of what we�re putting our money into. With the rise of online media and portable players offering television and movie viewing for little or no charge, cable is quickly becoming a luxury that many people can avoid.

How much do you pay each month for cable and movie rentals? Do you wish you can spend less for the same entertainment? You can with Hulu.com.

Hulu is a website where you can watch new TV episodes and movies for free with no sign up or contract required. And it�s easily accessible right on your computer or iPhone.

Soon, Hulu will be offering a new plus plan. You can watch new and old episodes in a series, and movies, in addition to the media that is already available for free, for only $10 a month � a fraction of what premium cable costs

New gadgets are also making entertainment cheaper than ever. My dad has this gadget called an Archos. He�s obsessed with this thing. It�s portable and he can download music, movies, and shows onto it. He�ll carry it around the house and watch movies on it all day long instead of watching our Verizon Fios cable on our 50-inch TV. Why does he do this? Because the Archos is convenient and easy to use. He can connect to Netflix (only $9 a month!) and watch a movie whenever he wants � on a device that fits inside his pocket.

The Archos is ideal for when you�re on a long trip and need to relax after driving for hours. This portable device can connect to WiFi anywhere, so you can watch movies and TV instantly right from your cab or hotel.

Between Archos, iPads, Hulu and Netflix you can give up cable without giving up access to the programming you enjoy. At a time when so many of us are looking to save money, all of these options make the decision of cutting off the cable and using the Internet as the main source of �television� entertainment so easy.

But will there be ramifications for not paying for cable?  

As cable is phased out and TV on the Internet becomes a trend, isn�t it likely that prices will increase with demand?

Or will the television and movie industries have to learn to adapt to new technology, just as the recording industry has?

Only time will tell. For now, we can take advantage of technology opening another door that enables us to enjoy the shows we love and save money at the time.

At the end of the day, why wouldn�t you pick the convenient, easy, and cheap alternative to cable?