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The Frugal Homemaker

Your guide to turning your house into a home... one DIY project and yard sale find at a time

The one thing I don’t think I could live without (and don’t know anyone that doesn’t have it)

January 23, 2015

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. 

internet_learn_devices_01

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. 

Constant Guard

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.

internet_learn_wifi_01

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! Winking smile

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?? Winking smile  This $100 American Express gift card could probably help with that – just enter using the rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

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.

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Comments

  1. Sara says

    January 23, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    We are looking for internet, thanks for the info!

    Reply
  2. Natalie says

    January 23, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    I love our xfinity! The dvr to go is awesome for taking movies and shows for the kids when we are traveling.

    Reply
  3. Mary Happymommy says

    January 23, 2015 at 8:51 AM

    I like the tip about using a staple remover to add keys or key chains to your key ring.

    Reply
  4. kim says

    January 23, 2015 at 9:16 AM

    Switching providers so on my mind, just haven’t done the research -thanks for the leg up!

    Reply
  5. Thursa says

    January 23, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    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.

    Reply
  6. Telena Reynolds says

    January 23, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    Using a staple remover to add keys to your keychain is great way to save those fingernails!

    Reply
  7. Kelly Palmer says

    January 23, 2015 at 10:33 AM

    My favorite tip is to use a staple remover to put a new key on a key ring! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jennifer A. says

    January 23, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    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.

    Reply
  9. Carol says

    January 23, 2015 at 11:51 AM

    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).

    Reply
  10. Laura says

    January 23, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    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.

    Reply
  11. Linda says

    January 23, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    Is this available in Canada?

    Reply
  12. melanie says

    January 23, 2015 at 2:23 PM

    We are looking for an Internet provider for our new home. Thanks for the post!

    Reply
  13. MARTHA says

    January 23, 2015 at 2:41 PM

    Just Plain Awesome attach car vent clips to your home vents to freshen up !!!! CLEVER

    Reply
  14. nicole dz says

    January 23, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    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!

    Reply
  15. Lisa says

    January 23, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    I love the tip about the Solo cups measurements!

    Reply
  16. Anice Jones says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:58 PM

    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? 🙂

    Reply
  17. Tiffany says

    January 23, 2015 at 8:38 PM

    Fav tip: tricking the thermostat with a cold pack. Wish I had known this when I was working!

    Reply
  18. Mona Mostow says

    January 23, 2015 at 8:58 PM

    Using a staple remover to add and remove keys to a key ring!! Brilliant!! I hate ruining my nails trying to get that done!!

    Reply
  19. Nataly Carbonell says

    January 23, 2015 at 9:20 PM

    My favorite tip is using a staple remover to add keys to a keychain.

    Reply
  20. kathy w says

    January 23, 2015 at 11:31 PM

    I love finding out about the solo cup. Who would have guess?

    Reply
  21. Molly says

    January 24, 2015 at 12:02 AM

    When we get internet sounds like a great one to go with

    Reply
  22. cathy J says

    January 24, 2015 at 2:04 AM

    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.

    Reply
  23. Marie says

    January 24, 2015 at 2:39 AM

    The staples remover tip is very interesting.

    Reply
  24. Lisa Brown says

    January 24, 2015 at 7:34 AM

    Favorite tip: Using a staple remover to add keys or key chains to your key ring.

    Reply
  25. Tammy S says

    January 24, 2015 at 11:37 AM

    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!

    Reply
  26. Rosie says

    January 24, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    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!

    Reply
  27. Gina M (Wild Orchid) says

    January 24, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    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

    Reply
  28. Elle P. says

    January 24, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    I like his ketchup cup tip. I guess I have been using them wrong too.

    Reply
  29. Michelle Molitor says

    January 24, 2015 at 5:06 PM

    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!

    Reply
  30. Cheryl V says

    January 24, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    I like the tip about using cups to put your ornaments in!

    Reply
  31. Martha says

    January 24, 2015 at 9:32 PM

    Not available, wish it was!

    Reply
  32. Melissa says

    January 25, 2015 at 12:36 AM

    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!

    Reply
  33. Kelly D says

    January 25, 2015 at 9:31 PM

    I like the tip to use the lines on the Solo cup as a measuring cup.

    Reply
  34. Leah says

    January 26, 2015 at 2:34 AM

    Great info! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  35. Kathy @ Southern Style Southern Charm says

    January 26, 2015 at 9:23 AM

    Internet access is definitely a necessity these days.

    Reply
  36. Julie Raye-Rod says

    January 26, 2015 at 7:52 PM

    the staples remover tip was very neat.

    Reply
  37. Kristen says

    January 27, 2015 at 3:15 AM

    I like the tip for using a staple remover to get keys on & off a key ring.

    Reply
  38. Kim Henrichs says

    January 27, 2015 at 3:28 PM

    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!

    Reply
  39. Linda says

    January 28, 2015 at 12:27 AM

    the ketchup tip was my favorite

    Reply
  40. shaunie says

    January 29, 2015 at 6:47 PM

    I love how using a drinking glass to put in the middle of a large bowl to make a dip n chip bowl.

    Reply
  41. Design Furnishings says

    February 2, 2015 at 12:30 AM

    What an excellent tip about using the lines on a Solo cup for measuring. And a great giveaway, too!

    Reply

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Hi!  My name is Christina . . .

I love doing simple, frugal things to make our house feel like HOME! Come learn along with me how to have a beautiful home on a budget.

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