Cost per month:
$10 for usenet access with SSL support
$3 for VPN anonymity
$100 for 150mbps internet access
$15 for electricity to run a 24/7 box
Total per month - $128 to have things literally on demand.
How much do you pay your cable or satellite company?
EDIT:
I should say that the box does cost money, but usually can be piece together with old equipment.