1. Cable TV
1. 有线电视
Cable television's heyday is over. Subscribers have been declining since 2004, and analysts say there's no end in sight. Roughly 54.8 million households currently pay for cable TV, down 3.3% from 2012 and down 17.6% from a decade prior, according to research firm IHS. Cable companies are expected to shed roughly 1.3 million subscribers in 2014.
有线电视的黄金时代已经结束了。有线电视用户2004年以来一直在减少，分析师称，预计这种态势还将继续保持下去。研究公司IHS的数据显示，目前约有5,480万个家庭付费收看有线电视，较2012年减少3.3%，较十年前减少17.6%。预计在2014年有线电视公司将损失约130万用户。
The decline is due in part to so-called cord-cutters: consumers who are canceling cable and transitioning to lower-cost services, such as Hulu and Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) , which provide much of the same programming at a fraction of the price. Using an Internet connection, consumers can stream many cable shows, news programs and sports games, as well as movies, directly to their TVs. Some channels' websites also provide viewers access to their shows. (MarketWatch recently launched a calculator - Are you ready to cut the cord? - that allows consumers to find the shows they normally watch through such lower-cost options.)
有线电视用户的减少在一定程度上要归因于所谓的“剪线族”(cord-cutter)：这些消费者取消有线服务，转向Hulu和Netflix等费用较低的服务，后者提供的节目与有线电视基本相同，但价格要便宜得多。通过互联网连接，用户可以将许多有线电视节目、新闻报道、体育比赛和电影直接串流到电视上观看。一些电视频道还允许观众通过其网站收看节目。（MarketWatch近期推出了一个名为“你为剪线做好准备了吗？”的计算工具，可让消费者通过这类费用较低的选择方案找到他们通常收看的节目）
These services are mostly beneficial for people who do not mind watching shows after they've aired and are willing to part with most live programming.
这些服务主要适合那些不介意观看非实时节目，愿意与大多数直播节目挥手告别的人士。

2. Landline service
2. 固定电话
Fewer households are holding on to their landlines. Two in every five U.S. homes had wireless phones only during the first half of the year, up slightly from the first half of 2012, according to data released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number has been rising over the past decade: Roughly 90 million adults, or 38% of the population, are now wireless-only, versus 21% during the first half of 2009 - and fewer than 3% during the first half of 2003.
还在继续使用固定电话的家庭比以前少了。美国疾病控制与预防中心(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)上月发布的数据显示，2013年上半年有五分之二的美国家庭仅使用手机，比例较2012年上半年小幅上升。在过去十年里，这一比例一直在上升：约有9,000万成年人（占美国人口的38%）目前仅使用无线通讯，而2009年上半年为21%――2003年上半年更是还不到3%。
Ditching the landline allows households to shed a monthly bill - but it doesn't mean they're restricted to their cellphones. There's also Skype, which is free and allows video chatting via smartphones and other devices with friends and family anywhere in the world at no cost. FaceTime video can also be free with a Wi-Fi connection. Separately, magicJack Plus provides phone service when it's connected to a USB port, computer, or regular phone router; it costs $49.95 in total for the device and for the first six months, after which service costs range from about $1.67 to $2.50 per month. (In contrast, most traditional telephone providers charge at least $10 a month.)
放弃固定电话让美国家庭甩掉了一项月度账单――但这并不意味着他们只有手机可用。可供选择的还有Skype，这项免费服务允许人们通过智能手机和其他设备与世界各地的亲朋好友进行视频聊天。如有无线网络连接，还可以免费使用FaceTime进行视频聊天。另外还有magicJack Plus，这款设备在连接USB接口、电脑或普通电话路由器时可提供电话服务；购买该设备外加前六个月的服务费用总计49.95美元，之后的服务费用在每月1.67美元至2.50美元之间。（而多数传统电话运营商收费至少为每月10美元。）
To be sure, these services require an Internet connection. Consumers who want the security of a landline - many Americans were without phone service after Hurricane Sandy disrupted cellphone and Internet service in some areas - may want to consider holding on to their home phone.
当然，这些服务需要有互联网连接。对固定电话的安全性有需要的消费者（由于飓风桑迪(Hurricane Sandy)导致一些地区的手机和互联网服务中断，许多美国人都无法进行电话通讯）也许应该考虑在家中保留固定电话。
3. GPS devices
3. GPS设备
Up until a few years ago, personal navigation systems were considered a must-have for most drivers since they drastically reduced the chances of getting lost. But the tides have turned and demand for these gadgets is plummeting: 7.5 million personal navigation devices sold in 2012 in North America, down from a peak of 18 million in 2009, according to the latest data from Berg Insight, a Swedish research company.
直到几年前，个人导航系统还被多数驾车者视为必需品，因为它们可以大大降低迷路的几率。但当前潮流发生了逆转，对这类设备的需求在直线下降：瑞典研究公司Berg Insight的最新数据显示，2012年北美卖出了750万台个人导航设备，低于2009年1,800万台的峰值。
The need for this service still exists, but consumers can get it for a lot cheaper. Rather than paying $70 to $300 for a new GPS device, drivers can use map apps to get around. They're available on most smartphones or free to download.
对导航服务的需求仍然存在，但消费者现在能以便宜得多的价格获得此项服务。驾车者不必花费70到300美元购买新的GPS设备，他们可以使用地图应用程序来导航。多数智能手机都有这些应用，也可以免费下载。
Separately, many new cars come with built-in navigation systems: 49% of 2013 model-year vehicles have a standard navigation system (in at least one of their styles), up from 33% of 2010 models, according to Edmunds.com.
另外，许多新车配有内置导航系统：汽车资讯网站Edmunds.com 的数据显示，2013车型年的车辆有49%配有标准导航系统（至少有一款车型会配置），高于2010年的33%。
4. DVD and Blu-ray players
4. DVD和蓝光播放器
DVD sales and rentals are down, so it's not a surprise that fewer consumers are buying DVD players. Sales of DVD and Blu-ray players totaled 21.3 million in 2012, down 20.1% from a year prior and down 24.8% from 2010, according to research firm SNL Kagan.
DVD的销售和租赁都在走下坡路，因此，购买DVD播放器的消费者减少也并不让人意外。研究公司SNL Kagan 的数据显示，2012年DVD和蓝光播放器销量总计2,130万台，较上年和2010年分别减少20.1%和24.8%。
Instead, experts say, consumers are increasingly streaming movies from Internet-based subscription services like Hulu and Netflix. Gamers can also use their consoles, such as the Xbox One and PlayStation4, to watch DVDs.
专家们表示，越来越多的消费者通过Hulu和Netflix等基于互联网的订阅服务串流电影。游戏玩家还能用Xbox One和PlayStation4等游戏主机来看DVD。
5. Hotel rooms
5. 酒店客房
As more travelers book vacations, demand for hotels is rising and so are room rates. The daily rate at U.S. hotels averages $110.59 this year, up 4.1% from 2012 and up 12.6% from 2010, according to professional-services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. The average price is expected to rise to $115.68 in 2014.
随着预订度假游的游客人数的增加，对酒店的需求随之增加，房价也水涨船高。专业服务公司普华永道(PricewaterhouseCoopers)的数据显示，2013年美国酒店日均房价为110.59美元，较2012年和2010年分别上涨4.1%和12.6%。预计2014年平均房价将涨至115.68美元。
There's another, cheaper alternative: Travelers can reserve apartments or homes in their destinations at a lower price with more space to boot. Several services, such as Airbnb and Vacation Rentals by Owner, allow consumers to choose from an assortment of homes to stay in. Some owners also offer free airport pickups and drop-offs.
还有另一种比较便宜的选择方案：旅行者可以预订目的地的公寓或住宅，这些地方价格较低，而且空间较大。Airbnb和Vacation Rentals by Owner等几项服务允许消费者从各种各样的住宅中选择合适的入住。一些房主还提供免费的机场接送服务。
It can also be more helpful and cost-effective for large groups that are traveling together (you can book a large home with many bedrooms) or families with young children who require privacy and can cook in the home rather than paying to eat out. The downside, however, is less security than what hotels offer.
在多人一起旅行（可以订一个有许多卧室的大房子）或者家庭携幼童出行、需要隐私的情况下，入住这些地方更好，也更省钱，你可以在住宅内做饭，而不用花钱外出就餐。但不足之处是，这些地方不如酒店安全。
6. Two-year phone contracts
6. 两年期手机合约
Consumers are encountering more setbacks than benefits with two-year cellphone contracts. There's no way to change phones within this period of time without incurring a fee. And there's the fine print many of these plans come with that result in consumers paying more than the starting monthly price they're quoted in the store.
两年期手机合约对用户来说是弊大于利。在该期限内如果想换手机，必须要交纳一定费用。此外，这类计划有许多会附带细则，导致用户支付的费用比店内标出的初始月费高。
Mobile users have several alternatives. They can opt for no-contract providers that sell the phones at full price (that's more than the upfront price they'll pay for a phone with a contract) but monthly payments are much lower (often half). They're available through MetroPCS as well as big-box retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart. Most regular wireless providers also offer this option.
移动用户有几种其他选择。他们可以选择不签协议的运营商，这些运营商以全价（高于合约机的前期价格）出售手机，但月费要低得多（通常为合约机的一半）。这些手机可通过MetroPCS以及百思买(Best Buy)和沃尔玛(Wal-Mart)等仓储式零售商来购买。多数普通无线运营商也提供这一选择。
7. Desktop and laptop computers
7. 台式机和笔记本电脑
There's little reason to buy a desktop or laptop computer anymore. Tablets perform the same functions - playing music, sharing photos, Web surfing - that most consumers use PCs for and they're made to use while on the go. They can also be a lot cheaper. For instance, Apple's iMac's start at $1,299 and MacBook laptops start at $999 while iPads start at $299.
如今已经几乎没有什么购买台式机或笔记本电脑的必要了。多数用户使用个人电脑时所需的功能（播放音乐、分享照片、上网）平板电脑都有，而且平板电脑更适合旅行时使用。平板电脑的价格也便宜得多。例如，苹果(Apple) iMac的售价为1,299美元起，Macbook笔记本电脑售价为999美元起，而iPad则为299美元起。
Of course, ditching desktop PCs isn't for everyone: Graphic designers and traders, for instance, who require large screens will find it hard to part with traditional computers.
当然，放弃台式机并不适合每一个人：比方说，平面设计师和交易员需要大屏幕，他们会很难放弃传统电脑。
But data shows that PCs are starting to fall out of favor: Worldwide shipments fell 4% in 2012 from a year prior - to the lowest level since 2009, according to the latest data from IDC, an information-technology research firm.
但数据显示，人们已开始对个人电脑失去兴趣：信息技术研究公司国际数据公司(IDC)的最新数据显示，2012年全球个人电脑发货量较上年下降4%――触及2009年以来的最低水平。
8. Extra legroom in economy
8. 经济舱的额外腿部空间
Over the past few years it's become common practice for airlines, including American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, to charge many passengers extra - up to an additional $180 - for roomier seats (read: extra three to six inches of legroom) in coach. These seats are often in the exit rows or first row in economy.
在过去几年里，包括美国航空(American Airlines)和达美航空(Delta Air Lines)在内的航空公司会向许多经济舱乘客收取额外费用（最高为180美元），为他们提供比较宽敞的座位（也就是三到六英寸的额外腿部空间），这已经成为一种常见的做法。这些座位通常位于出口排或经济舱第一排。
But for a similar payment of $100 to $200, travelers can get upgraded to business class where the seats are much more comfortable and the service is of a higher caliber. These upgrades used to be reserved for airlines' frequent fliers, but many now give them out to passengers who are willing to pay a bit more when they check in or at the gate.
但乘客只要花上差不多的价钱（100到200美元）就能升到商务舱，商务舱的座位要舒服得多，服务质量也更高。这些升舱服务以往只有航空公司常旅客才能享受，但许多航空公司现在向所有愿意在办理登机手续或登机时多付一些钱的乘客提供这些服务。
9. Credit cards with points or miles programs
9. 有积分或里程奖励计划的信用卡
Card issuers have been ramping up some of their rewards programs in the past few years, but consumers should steer clear of one common promotion: credit cards with rewards programs that are comprised of points or miles.
过去几年，信用卡发行商在加大部分奖励计划的力度，但消费者应该规避一种常见的促销计划：即由积分或里程构成的信用卡奖励计划。
Many card issuers are devaluing their rewards programs by requiring cardholders to spend more in order to get the same 'free award' they could have gotten previously with fewer points. What's more, many of these cards come with annual fees, ranging from $30 to $75.
许多信用卡发行商使奖励计划大打折扣， 他们要求持卡人花更多的钱才能获得之前用较少的点数就能换得的相同“免费奖励”。此外，这些信用卡有许多会收取年费，年费在30到75美元之间。
Instead, consider a credit card with a 'cash-back' program - a rewards program that's a lot more straightforward: consumers get 1% to 5% cash back per a certain number of dollars they swipe on their card.
消费者应该考虑带有“返现”计划的信用卡――这种奖励计划要直接得多：消费者刷卡每满一定金额，就能获得1%到5%的现金返还。

10. Digital cameras

10. 数码相机
Their small size and sleek look made digital 'point and shoot' cameras all the rage for years. Now, demand is sunsetting. Roughly 11.5 million are estimated to have sold this year in the U.S., down 44% from 2012, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, which represents consumer technology companies. Sales are expected to drop to just under 8 million next year.
小巧的尺寸和时尚的外观让数码“傻瓜”相机在很多年里受到消费者的追捧。而如今需求正在走下坡路。代表消费技术公司的消费电子产品协会(Consumer Electronics Association)数据显示，2013年美国数码傻瓜相机销量估计在1,150万部左右，较2012年下降了44%。预计2014年销量将降至略低于800万部的水平。
The cameras are suffering from an identity crisis. Consumers who want high-quality photos are opting for the larger, DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras. Others prefer to stick with just one gadget - their smartphone - which takes pictures.
这类相机正遭遇一种认同危机。想拍摄高品质照片的消费者会选择较大的数码单反相机。另一些消费者则更愿意坚持只使用一种能拍照设备（他们的智能手机）。
And there's new competition from cameras intended for the outdoor thrill-seeker, like the GoPro, for people who want photos capturing action (the camera attaches to your body while white water rafting or scuba diving, for instance) rather than stopping to pose for a pic.
此外，GoPro等面向户外极限运动者的相机对数码傻瓜相机构成了新的竞争。如果想拍照捕捉动作（比方说，你可以在进行激流皮划艇或水肺潜水等运动时将这款相机佩戴在身上），而不是停下来摆拍，那么使用这款相机非常合适。