Disclosure: Post and giveaway sponsored by XFINITY, but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.
Internet… In the 21st century it has become pretty much essential like water and electricity. I honestly don’t think I know ANYONE that doesn’t have internet – even if they don’t pay for internet service at their home, they have it on their phone or use their phone for a hotspot. I even looked it up and Wikipedia said 81% of people in the United States use the internet. People use internet to pay bills, correspond with work and friends through email, social network, watch movies, do research, read blogs, browse Pinterest for recipes or decorating ideas, check the weather/news/sports scores, do school online, work online… the uses and possibilities are absolutely endless. For me – I work completely online from home. You are reading this post … online … either on your phone or on your computer.
If you read consistently here at The Frugal Homemaker, you know I have been partnering with XFINITY and Ty So Fast for the last few months to introduce some of their services to you. But I want let’s go back to September before we had XFINITY and talk about a day in the life of our internet (we had the fastest DSL service our provider offered.) I work from home blogging, I also keep some financial records for my church, and some other things so I spend many hours online. During the day the internet would work about 80% of the time – I would have to disconnect/reconnect several times a day, reset the modem about once a week, and there were times when it was just so slow. I remember sitting there waiting for a page to load or something to save thinking, I am wasting so much time – I could have had this done in half the time if the internet was working fast. And in the evenings it had gotten to just be HORRIBLEI My husband would be browsing the internet and I would be trying to work or edit pictures or upload a post and it would CONSTANTLY go out. And if we tried to stream a show or movie on our playstation from Netflix – forget trying to use the internet on the computer. It was off more than it was on. We could never make it through even a 50 minute episode on Netflix without it stopping and having to “buffer” and load again. We had decided we had no option but to change so I asked my friends on facebook for recommendations for internet and almost everyone recommended XFINITY for speed and reliability. DSL internet just can’t compete with cable internet like XFINITY. So I had already decided to switch to XFINITY internet about a week before they contacted me – I just hadn’t had a free day to schedule the appointment to get it set up. Getting to enjoy their TV and phone service has just been icing on the cake!
So how is our internet now that we are with XFINITY internet, you ask? Absolutely amazing! In about 4 months I can only remember 1-2 times I have had any problem at all connecting, or it kicked me off, or it was even sluggish. I could immediately tell a difference in how much faster pages were loading and if we watch Netflix (which we haven’t been doing very often since we have so many options with On Demand and DVR) it never stops in the middle of a show to reload.
XFINITY internet also offers Constant Guard – provided by Norton Security. It guards against identity theft, viruses and more. This service doesn’t cost any extra – it is just included with your XFINITY internet. And since so many of us have so much information online – banking info, credit card info, personal information, and so much more – having security is very important.
And one last feature of their internet that I am loving is you have access to tons of hotspots nationwide – at no extra cost. You can download the XFINITY WIFI app and it will automatically connect you whenever a hotspot is available or you can search for an available hotspot. This is great if you travel and need to do work or if you have limited data on your cellphone – you can just connect to a hotspot on your phone to save your data.
So how about you? Know anyone that doesn’t have any kind of internet connection whether in their home or on their phone? Are you satisfied with your internet service? Computers and internet can be amazing…. but if they don’t work, they can be the most frustrating thing EVER! 
Follow Ty So Fast on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for even more tips.
So who wants to do some shopping – maybe online using your internet?? This $100 American Express gift card could probably help with that – just enter using the rafflecopter widget below.
Disclosure: XFINITY partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fast Life program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. XFINITY believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. XFINITY’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
We are looking for internet, thanks for the info!
I love our xfinity! The dvr to go is awesome for taking movies and shows for the kids when we are traveling.
I like the tip about using a staple remover to add keys or key chains to your key ring.
Switching providers so on my mind, just haven’t done the research -thanks for the leg up!
A planner… That’s what I need, even just an old school composition notebook that I can use for daily lists and reminders would do. Can’t always rely on technology, but I can rely on my trusty planner or notebook.
Using a staple remover to add keys to your keychain is great way to save those fingernails!
My favorite tip is to use a staple remover to put a new key on a key ring! 🙂
There have been a few times in our marriage when we have been without the internet, and it has made me crazy. It is such a great tool for staying connected with my family since we have always lived away from them.
We can’t get Xfinity where we live – our choice for tv service is DirecTV or Dish and internet is through Century Link (our only option).
I do know people without internet, but am thankful I don’t have to be one of them. I am glad you have had a good experience with Comcast/Xfinity. You are certainly in the minority. In 2014 they were again chosen #1 as having the worst customer service in the nation. Check out: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/internet/comcast_isp.html.
Is this available in Canada?
We are looking for an Internet provider for our new home. Thanks for the post!
Just Plain Awesome attach car vent clips to your home vents to freshen up !!!! CLEVER
My favorite tip is the one about controlling the thermostat by tricking the sensor by Just placing a cold pack on top of the device and it will trigger the heat in minutes. Very cool!
I love the tip about the Solo cups measurements!
I go crazy without my internet and am worse without my phone. Seems like yesterday when I got my first pager. How did we survive? 🙂
Fav tip: tricking the thermostat with a cold pack. Wish I had known this when I was working!
Using a staple remover to add and remove keys to a key ring!! Brilliant!! I hate ruining my nails trying to get that done!!
My favorite tip is using a staple remover to add keys to a keychain.
I love finding out about the solo cup. Who would have guess?
When we get internet sounds like a great one to go with
Unfortunately, the customer service for Xfinity sucks in our area. We actually changed a few years ago and have went back to tham because they do have the fastest service. No problems to report so far let us hope it stays that way.
The staples remover tip is very interesting.
Favorite tip: Using a staple remover to add keys or key chains to your key ring.
I like the tip about being able to access multiple accounts in one inbox using the XFINITY Connect app. I have 4 different emails between work and home. This would be a lifesaver!
My fav tip is what the lines mean on Solo cups! I have measuring spoons and measuring cups, but I’m always winging it, this way I’m winging it much more carefully when I use a paper cup!
I like the tip about what the lines mean on the red solo cups.
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I like his ketchup cup tip. I guess I have been using them wrong too.
Fan out a ketchup dispenser…wow! We use a lot of ketchup (and waste a lot in the bottom of those darn cups) Wonderful. Thanks!
I like the tip about using cups to put your ornaments in!
Not available, wish it was!
XFINITY is awesome! I am a full-time college student, but my parents pay for the services here at home – so we get internet, cable, and phone at the house. However, they have SO many options online and I’m fortunate enough that my parents provide me with all of XFINITY’s online streaming option while I’m at school. This is awesome because I don’t have to pay for cable service while I’m at school because I basically have it on my laptop!
I like the tip to use the lines on the Solo cup as a measuring cup.
Great info! Thanks for sharing!
Internet access is definitely a necessity these days.
the staples remover tip was very neat.
I like the tip for using a staple remover to get keys on & off a key ring.
I love this tip because it definitely applies to my work: Here’s a tip for those who have no control over the thermostat in their building: next time you’re freezing, trick the sensor! Just place a cold pack on top of the device and it will trigger the heat in minutes. Even an ice-pop would work!
the ketchup tip was my favorite
I love how using a drinking glass to put in the middle of a large bowl to make a dip n chip bowl.
What an excellent tip about using the lines on a Solo cup for measuring. And a great giveaway, too!