Netflix here, Hulu there. Add Disney+, Paramount and add ESPN or another sports provider into the mix.
And before you know it, you are forking out more than $100 a month on streaming service subscriptions.
Ninety-five percent of Americans subscribe to more than one provider, many starting with free trials that they forget to cancel.
Stop kicking yourself about how much you pay and do something about it with a few quick and easy methods.
Ninety-five percent of Americans subscribe to more than one provider, many starting with free trials that they forget to cancel (stock)
But before we get there, don’t let another month pass before you do this.
It’s worth creating a comprehensive list. The real work is upfront; maintaining this is the easy part.
Look through your bank account or credit card transactions. Identify recurring charges and write them down.
Rank them in order from the most frequently used to the least. Once you’re finished, go through the ones at the bottom of your list and consider any subscriptions you can live without.
Note that some subscription services don’t bill you directly.
Depending on how you signed up, you might be billed through Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store.
On an iPhone, see your active subscriptions by opening the App Store and tapping the profile icon in the upper right corner.
On the menu that pops up, tap Subscriptions to view, cancel or renew services.
On Android: Open Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account. Here, you’ll see an option titled Payments & subscriptions.
Tap this, followed by Manage subscriptions to cancel or renew services.
Now that you know what you’re paying for, let’s jump into the money-saving tips.
1. Ditch what you don’t use
This one is obvious but it’s the absolute best place to start.
So many of us keep paying 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 cutthroat. Use these questions to guide you:
● What service(s) do you use most? Keep those and only those. If we’re not watching anything on Netflix, it goes away until our show returns. A couple of active services are usually more than enough for one family.
● What do you pay for that you don’t need all the time? Looking at you, sports add-ons. Cancel those once specific events or seasons are over.
2. Take advantage of offers from your mobile or credit card provider
Streaming services know that record numbers are watching content on their phones and tablets – and companies are eager to cut promos with mobile providers.
You can save money by taking advantage of those deals.
T-Mobile is going all out with its Go5G plan. Get this: you’ll score “Netflix on Us” plus Apple TV+ and Hulu (ads included, but hey, it’s free!).
Almost a quarter of US subscribers to the major streaming services have ditched at least three of them over the past two years, according to subscription analytics firm Antenna
That’s over $20 a month in freebies. And if you want to upgrade Netflix? No problem, just throw in a little extra.
Verizon’s offering a $9 credit on a Disney+ bundle (Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+—all ad-supported, of course) if you’ve got one of their top unlimited plans.
Not as sweet as it used to be, but a deal’s a deal! If you’re on a budget plan, you still get a $5 credit for Netflix, Max, or Paramount+.
Slim pickings compared to the good ol’ days, but Verizon users, don’t sleep on these savings.
And AT&T? Yeah… not so much. They’re throwing in a free Max subscription, but only for customers on older plans. New customers? Sorry, no streaming perks for you!
Heads up: you might have to cancel your current subscriptions and re-sign through your mobile provider to cash in on these juicy discounts. A little hassle for a lotta savings—worth it!
But wait—there’s more. Streaming giants are wooing credit card companies, too.
And if you’ve got an American Express Platinum card? Cha-ching! That’s a $20 monthly Digital Entertainment Credit you can slap on Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, or even Peacock.
Other cards might give you cash back on streaming—up to 6% for a limited time!
Bottom line? Check your plan, use your card, and rake in those savings like the savvy streamer you are!
3. Look for hidden fees
Scan your bills for any overage fees or extras. Look for upcharges for:
● Higher-quality video streaming, like 4K
● Multiple devices, screens or sessions over and above what you need
● Offline viewing
● Additional content, like premium channels
Be sure to compare your most recent bill with one from a year or two ago. Most likely the base prices have gone up.
Are there any fees you’re not sure of? If so, call or chat with customer service to find out why and if they can cut those charges.
4. Move on or … say you are
This trick works with everything from your internet provider to streaming. With streaming services:
● Log into your account on a web browser.
● Under the membership settings, find the option to cancel. Go through the on-screen questions.
● Right before you cancel, you may be prompted to get a free month, a discount if you stay on as a customer or another offer.
For internet or cable service, it pays to shop around. In all likelihood, 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 downgrade your speed, bandwidth or options to reduce the price.
Pro tip: If you’re not getting anywhere with a customer service rep, ask to speak with someone in the ‘Retention Department.’
These folks are generally authorized to give 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 commercials.
It’s as easy as logging in and downgrading to the ad-included option.
While you’re at it, test the freebies. Pluto TV, Tubi and plenty of others still cost absolutely nothing. Ads? Yes. Free? Yes. Big list of freebies here!
6. Sharing is caring
Not everyone has banned this yet. Amazon lets up to six people share. Through Apple’s Family Sharing feature, six folks get Apple TV+. Disney+ started cracking down on password sharing for Canadian users, but it’s still OK here in the U.S. — for now.
Netflix doesn’t allow sharing, but you can add someone outside of your household for a cheaper rate than both of you signing up your own subscriptions.
● The Standard tier costs $15.49 per month
● Premium is $22.99 per month
Additional members can be added for $7.99 each. Not too bad.
