Connect Macbook Aluminum late 2008 to TV

I am buying my first tv from a friend. I own a late 2008 aluminum macbook, and I will be using the tv mainly for macbook use (I will have no cable). Since hdmi will only stream video, I'm trying to figure out how to fix the issue. I could buy an hdmi converter with split cables for both audio and video but 1. it's more expensive (ok, not by much) 2. it will be useless when my macbook dies (which, after 7 years, could be soon). I'm wondering if I could use a regular hdmi converter and then plug my headphones in the macbook. Would that work, or will the audio be over-ride by the hdmi cable? What would you suggest in such a situation? The tv is fairly recent and I don't believe it has a RCA.