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Netflix here, Hulu there. Add to that Disney+, Paramount, and ESPN or another sports provider.
And before you know it, you’ll be shelling out over $100 a month on streaming service subscriptions.
Ninety-five percent of Americans subscribe to more than one provider, and many start with free trials that they forget to cancel.
Stop complaining about what you pay and do something about it with some quick and easy methods.
Ninety-five percent of Americans subscribe to more than one provider, and many start with free trials that they forget to cancel (stock)
But before we get there, don’t let another month pass before you do it.
It’s worth creating a comprehensive list. The real work is at the beginning; maintaining it is the easy part.
Review your bank account or credit card transactions. Identify recurring charges and write them down.
Rank them from most used to least used. Once you’re done, look at the ones at the bottom of the list and consider which subscriptions you can do without.
Please note that some subscription services do not bill you directly.
Depending on how you signed up, you may be billed through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
On an iPhone, view your active subscriptions by opening the App Store and tapping the profile icon in the top right corner.
In the menu that appears, tap Subscriptions to view, cancel, or renew services.
On Android: Open Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account. Here you’ll see an option called Payments & subscriptions.
Tap here and then Manage Subscriptions to cancel or renew services.
Now that you know what you’re paying, let’s look at some money-saving tips.
1. Get rid of what you don’t use
This one is obvious, but it’s absolutely the best place to start.
Many of us still pay for something “just in case.” Just in case a new season of your show comes out or the kids decide they’re obsessed with an old favorite movie again.
It’s time to get to work. Use these questions as a guide:
● What services do you use most often? Keep those and only those. If we’re not watching anything on Netflix, it disappears until our show comes back on. A couple of active services are usually more than enough for a family.
● What do you pay for that you don’t need all the time? For example, sports add-ons. Cancel those add-ons when specific events or seasons end.
2. Take advantage of offers from your mobile phone provider or credit card
Streaming services know that record numbers of people are watching content on their phones and tablets, and the companies are eager to make deals with mobile providers.
You can save money by taking advantage of these offers.
T-Mobile is going all-in with its Go5G plan. Keep this in mind: you’ll get “Netflix on us” plus Apple TV+ and Hulu (with ads, but it’s free!).
Nearly a quarter of U.S. subscribers to major streaming services have dropped at least three of them in the past two years, according to subscription analytics firm Antenna.
That’s over $20 a month in freebies. And if you want to upgrade to Netflix? No problem, just add a little more.
Verizon is offering a $9 credit on a Disney+ bundle (Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+, all ad-supported, of course) if you have one of its top unlimited plans.
It’s not as good as it used to be, but a deal is a deal! If you’re on a budget, you still get a $5 credit for Netflix, Max, or Paramount+.
These are slim pickings compared to the good old days, but Verizon users shouldn’t miss out on these savings.
What about AT&T? Yeah… not so much. They’ll be offering a free Max subscription, but only for customers with older plans. New customers? Sorry, you won’t get streaming benefits!
Please note: you may need to cancel your current subscriptions and re-subscribe through your mobile provider to take advantage of these juicy discounts. A small effort for a big saving that is worth it!
But wait, there’s more: streaming giants are also courting credit card companies.
What if you have an American Express Platinum Card? Great! That’s a $20 monthly digital entertainment credit that you can use on Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, or even Peacock.
Other cards can give you cash back for streaming – up to 6% for a limited time!
Bottom line? Check your plan, use your card, and enjoy those savings like the smart streamer you are!
Review your bills for additional fees or overage charges. Look for additional charges for:
● Higher quality video streaming, such as 4K
● Multiple devices, screens or sessions beyond what you need
● Offline viewing
● Additional content, such as premium channels
Make sure to compare your most recent bill to one from a year or two ago. Chances are, base prices have gone up.
Are there any fees you’re not sure about? If so, call or talk to customer service to find out why and if they can reduce those charges.
4. Move on or… say you are
This trick works with everything from your internet provider to the streaming service. With streaming services:
● Log in to your account in a web browser.
● In your membership settings, look for the cancellation option. Answer the questions that appear on the screen.
● Just before you cancel, you may be asked to get a free month, a discount if you continue as a customer, or another offer.
If you’re looking for Internet or cable services, it’s worth shopping around. Chances are, a competitor will offer you a better deal, faster speeds, or both.
Don’t be afraid to haggle and make sure they don’t try to throttle your speed, bandwidth, or options to lower the price.
Pro Tip: If you can’t get anywhere with a customer service representative, ask to speak to someone in the “Retention Department.”
These people are usually authorized to offer you the best deals.
5. Trade some time for money
Streaming companies are desperate to keep you, and you can get free or cheaper options if you’re willing to put up with the ads.
It’s as easy as logging in and switching to the ad-supported option.
In the meantime, try out the freebies. Pluto TV, Tubi, and many others still cost absolutely nothing. Ads? Yes. Free? Yes. Here’s a great list of freebies!
6. Sharing is caring
Not everyone has banned this option yet. Amazon allows up to six people to share their passwords. Through Apple’s Family Sharing feature, six people can access Apple TV+. Disney+ began cracking down on password sharing for Canadian users, but it’s still allowed here in the U.S. — for now.
Netflix doesn’t support sharing, but you can add someone outside your household for a cheaper rate than if you both sign up for your own subscriptions.
● The Standard level costs $15.49 per month
● The Premium version costs $22.99 per month
Additional members can be added for $7.99 each. Not bad at all.
