Cable Costs

I am wondering how we ever got by without cable TV, net and phone service before, but I am now trying to figure out how to cut costs on it.
I checked with them today and we could get bare bones cable just for the TV for more than we are paying now because somehow we locked into a price before which by the way includes HBO for less than what I would pay for just 16 channels.
All this change over to HD TV and the new boxes and all the commotion to make sure we have reception is driving me nuts.
So I guess for now we are stuck with cable until I can find a cheaper replacement.
Every thing costs so much anymore and this economy sucks!