In an effort to further “recession-proof” my life, as my friend calls it, I came across an article that stated what my mom has been saying for years: cut your luxuries to secure your necessities.

And by luxuries, I mean my generation’s beloved personal technology or high-tech gadgets we actually can live without.

A number of 20-somethings and college students are canceling their cable or satellite TV service to save money, according to NewsFactor Network. Instead, millennials are watching TV over the Internet, which makes sense because I always catch my favorite show, “The Game,” (Team Merwin all the way!) online. The columnist said savings could be $500 to $1,200 a year.

He also suggested switching from a premium cable package to basic, which could save about $20 a month, and eliminating a mobile phone contract. With the average cell phone bill about $75 a month, the article advises to eliminate the contact (of course after your one or two-year obligation) and switch to a prepaid phone. No contract, no commitment, no credit check, no penalties and no chance of going over the limit—I like, because I’m all about releasing ourselves from these self-imposed shackles! The savings could be about $900 to $1,500 a year.

Read the article for more tips on saving money, and remember, most services can be reinstated.

ADDITION: A Reuters columnist advises the same here too!

(Photo by Seth Harrison/The Journal News)