Rice, dry beans, and potatoes. With those three super cheap choices, you can make a ton of different meals, with the addition of a few extra things, for under $2 a plate.

For TV, get an antenna. A shitty indoor antenna will make you think that over the air TV sucks, but a good outdoor one will bring in quite a few channels. It's not exactly a cheap solution, until you realize how much cheaper it is over the course of a year. Combine that will a DVR, and you're golden.
Of course, your choice likely gives you more options, but the classic way still actually works really well. I haven't watched cable for years. I even had basic cable for a while and didn't watch it. It provides similar channels as basic cable, for free, after the investment in an antenna.