How to ditch the modem fees on cable bills

HOUSTON – Comcast raised its monthly modem rental fee by $2 this year, but there are ways to avoid the extra cost entirely.

The company charges $10 a month for the cable box, which adds up to $120 a year. But customers can buy one online for half that price. That's $540 worth of savings over just five years.

However, there are some things to know about, like what modem is compatible with the cable company's service. Comcast has a device information center which lists which modems work with each of their cable packages.

Just copy the name and model of a compatible device and paste it into an Amazon search. Prices can run as low as $60. Of course, for anyone planning to switch providers, it might not be worth it. Be sure the modem will recoup its cost before making the purchase.