If you're using several streaming services, your monthly cost could be sky-high. They add up fast. It's wise to reevaluate your streaming choices and see what you can do to cut costs. Here are ten simple ways to cut your streaming subscriptions in half.
Understanding your streaming habits is a crucial step in determining the best streaming services for you. Take a closer look at your viewing patterns and identify the types of content you watch most often. Do you prefer movies, TV shows, or a mix of both? Are you interested in live TV or on-demand content? Do you have a favorite genre, such as sports, comedy, or drama? By understanding your streaming habits, you can narrow down your options and choose the streaming services that best fit your needs.
Consider keeping a log of the shows and movies you watch over a period of time to get a better understanding of your viewing habits. You can also ask yourself questions like:
By answering these questions, you can get a better understanding of your streaming habits and make informed decisions when choosing streaming services. This way, you can ensure that you’re only paying for the services that you truly use and enjoy.
Subscribe to a service, then binge on all the shows you want to watch. Once you’ve done that, cancel the service. Keep an eye out for shows you want to watch and choose your service accordingly. Apps like JustWatch will give you a heads-up as to which service has what you want, helping you find the best streaming service based on your preferences and budget.
Move all your streaming services payments to one credit or debit card. It's hard to see how much you're paying when they're spread among different cards. But when they all hit at once on your credit card, you'll start thinking about cutting back.
Does it really matter if you have to watch ads? There’s a big difference between ads and ad free streaming services. Disney+ Premium is $13.99 per month and will increase to $15.99 in October 2024. At the same time, their ad-free tier is $7.99 and will increase to $9.99 in October. That’s a five-dollar saving. A savings that equates to money in your pocket.
List all your services, including cable if you have it. If you have cable, decide whether or not you really need it. That could be a substantial savings. List your streaming services on a piece of paper. Once you really know what you have, determine which ones you use the most. Can you justify the cost of each one, especially if you are paying for an ad free plan compared to an ad-supported plan? If you haven’t used one in a while, maybe it’s time to let it go.
Cable TV can be a significant household entertainment expense, but many movies and shows are streaming for free. They may not be current, but they’re old favorites. Try streaming services like Pluto TV, Amazon Freevee, The Roku Channel, and Tubi. If you want to save money, cut out a few streaming services and use the free ones.
Combining streaming services like Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for $15 per month (with ads). Verizon customers can get a Netflix/Max package. It’ll run you $10 monthly. Keep an eye out, many of these streaming services are forming partnerships. That should give you more options.
For the moment you can share passwords with people. Netflix did put a partial smackdown on it with its requirement that only people in the same household can share accounts for free. Amazon lets up to six people share an account. And many services control it by only allowing a limited number of people who can access the service at a time. Sling TV, a popular live TV streaming service, offers various pricing plans and emphasizes ease of access and cancellation compared to traditional cable.
You can sign up for a network like NBC. They have Peacock, where you get your favorite shows the day after they air. It's only six dollars a month. Or go for the premium service for $12 a month. You'll get local news, weather and NBC news. CBS has Paramount+ with the same pricing. Besides the network shows, you'll receive some stream-only shows.
Most streaming services give you a free 30-day trial. Take advantage of it. Sign up for services and cancel them before the trial is over. Make sure you cancel or you could have an unexpected charge on your credit or debit card.
Additionally, consider streaming bundles that include a wide range of live sports channels, such as Fox Sports, which is featured in the upcoming Venu Sports bundle alongside other major sports networks.
Streaming services often offer promotions and discounts to attract new customers and retain existing ones. These promotions can be a great way to save money on your streaming services. Here are some ways to take advantage of streaming service promotions and discounts:
Some popular streaming service promotions and discounts include:
By taking advantage of these promotions and discounts, you can save money on your streaming services and get the best value for your money.
Monitoring and adjusting your streaming costs is essential to ensure that you’re not overspending on streaming services. Here are some tips to help you monitor and adjust your streaming costs:
Some popular tools for monitoring and adjusting streaming costs include:
By monitoring and adjusting your streaming costs, you can ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money and staying within your budget. This way, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies without breaking the bank.
Find one or two must-have services that are your default and rotate them according to what you watch. Supplement them periodically with other services that have programs you want to watch once in a while.
Saving on streaming only takes a little planning. If you take advantage of free trials and hopping, you can watch what you want when you want while keeping an eye on your paid services to avoid unnecessary expenses.
