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Whether you are working on setting a budget, or looking for ways to save money, examining your streaming subscriptions can be a helpful and important step. So many people sign up for a service, forget about it over time, and end up being billed each month for something they don’t even use.
Streaming service writer Nick Cole offers some helpful tips to help you save:
Audit Your Current Streaming Services and Trim the Fat
The quickest and easiest way to shrink your streaming bill is going to require a little research and a little honesty. Check your streaming devices and credit card statements to see just how many streaming services you’re paying for right now…
Once you’ve found how many subscriptions you have and how much you’re paying for each, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much do I watch each of these services?
- Would I notice if one of these subscriptions went away?
- Would the quality of entertainment my household receives diminish if I canceled one of these?
If you can’t justify a clear reason for keeping a particular service, you should CANCEL it. You can always re-subscribe later!
Take a “Rotational” Approach to Streaming Services
One of my favorite tips for people struggling with streaming bills is to simply rotate them instead of paying for all of them at once. Most streaming services offer month-to-month subscriptions with no strings attached, so you might as well take advantage of this flexibility.
Think of this this way: There’s only so much content you can consume in a month.
Rather than paying for six services at once, focus on your favorite shows with one or two of them in a given month instead.
Opt for Ad-Supported Tiers Whenever Possible
Many of the top video streaming services offer consumers this subscription choice: Ad-free or ad-supported.
The proposition is usually pretty straightforward: You can either pay a cheaper amount to watch the content with commercials inserted or you can pay a few bucks more per month to get the content with no interruptions.
So, if you switch your streaming services from ad-free to ad-supported, you could save yourself upwards of $3-5 per service per month. That can add up over the course of a year, especially if you have multiple subscriptions in play.
Take Advantage of Bundling Options
Did you know that many streaming services work together on bundle pricing that could save you some cash?
Some of the most popular bundle options are with Disney+ and Hulu, which can be combined with HBO Max or ESPN Unlimited. Peacock and Apple TV recently joined forces on a bundle subscription. So did ESPN Unlimited and FOX One.
You may also find you can get a bundle option from your internet or wireless phone provider, too.
Give Free Streaming TV a Real Chance
I’ve spent a significant amount of time assessing all the free streaming options over the years. Some of our favorites for user experience and content quality are Tubi TV, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel.
I’d start with those three to assess their live FAST channels and on-demand library of TV shows and movies. If you find a few you like, you might be able to use them to replace a paid service. That’s money back in your pocket.
Use an Antenna to Get Your Local Channels
Are you paying for a live TV service like YouTube TV to see your local ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS affiliates? A one-time purchase of a digital antenna could save you some serious money in the long run.
You may find that with your locals coming in for free, you could save money on your streaming subscription by downgrading to a less expensive service like Sling or Philo to get the other channels you enjoy…
For more tips, read the full article here.
According to a recent study by LendingTree’s DepositAccounts, the average American spends $84 per month on streaming services. That adds up to more than $1,000 a year! With these tips, you can cut down on the amount you spend, without sacrificing the services you want.