If you’re into watching video, streaming services are great to have. You can binge-watch your favorite programs anytime you want. But if you have numerous services, the price can catch up with you pretty fast. But what can you do? You love watching. Here are five unexpected ways to cut your monthly subscriptions in half.
1. Look Into Subscribing Every Other Month
Start cycling your services. In other words, in any given month, you’re only subscribed to half of the services you usually have. One month, you’ll activate Peacock for their series, then the next month, you’ll deactivate it and activate Disney+ for the Star Wars shows. By doing this every other month, you’ll still enjoy all the features but for half the cost.
Tracking your monthly expenses is crucial to understanding your spending habits. This practice not only improves financial confidence but also helps you evaluate your spending patterns over time.
Many financial institutions offer tools to help track spending habits, providing visual aids like pie charts to better understand financial management.
2. Stop the Endless Scrolling
How much time do you find yourself scrolling because you have too many choices? By limiting your choices, you'll increase your watch time. Pay attention to services you scroll as opposed to watching, and cancel the scrolling ones.
3. Take Advantage of Offers from Mobile Providers
Since most people watch videos on their smartphones, check for streaming discounts through your cell phone provider. You can save money and still have your faves.
Some providers offer discounts on streaming services, including:
- T-Mobile: Offers a Go5G plan that includes Netflix, Apple TV+, and Hulu (with ads).
- Verizon: Offers a $9 credit on a Disney+ bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ (ad-supported) for its top two unlimited plans. Verizon also offers lower-priced plans with a $5 credit on Netflix, Max, or Paramount+.
- AT&T: Includes a free Max subscription with some of its legacy unlimited plans.
4. Subscribe-Binge-Cancel Recurring Payments
You have your favorite shows or series. Sign up for the service then binge watch what you like. Once you’re done, cancel the service until the next time they have something you want to binge. And if you’ve never subscribed to that service before, you might be eligible for a free trial. Once it’s over, cancel it.
5. Cut Costs with an Annual Subscription
If you have a go-to service you constantly watch, consider converting your monthly subscription to an annual one. You'll save money. Sometimes, the savings are so significant that it's like getting some months free.
Conclusion
Cutting your subscription services in half takes a little planning. But if you take the time to plan you can save yourself money and probably cut your subscriptions in half.
