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Uzone.id – Who can resist getting lost in a great show on Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu? Streaming services offer endless entertainment, but the subscription fees can add up fast, leaving your wallet feeling a little lighter.
Deloitte’s 18th annual Digital Media Trends report shows that Americans households that subscribe to streaming video entertainment services spend around US$61 per month for four services. It’s up 27 percent from last year’s survey.
“Streaming services have reached a pivotal moment,” said Jana Arbanas, vice chair at Deloitte and U.S. telecom, media and entertainment sector leader, quoted from Variety.
Since there are many choices, your monthly streaming expenses could easily reach more than US$100 and all you have to do is spend less money on something else–including your lunch and coffee. We know you’re tired of paying for all those subscriptions but don’t want to miss out on the shows you love at the same time.
But, that’s no longer a problem. Today you can cut back your total cost of video services to half what it was then while still binge-watching your fave show. Here’s the secret recipes!
Switch up your streaming service subscription
Not every streaming service releases new and interesting shows all the time. There’s one moment you’ll feel like there’s no striking show or you are simply just through the phase of Anhedonia–the loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
While you’re at it, you can save money by subscribing on a rotating basis and choose monthly subs instead of annual passes. Alternatively, you can “save up” episodes to watch and wait until they’re all available at once on the platform. While waiting, you can cancel your subscription and reactivate it to catch up.
By this way, you only need to pay for a month or even less, instead of committing to a full year just for one episode. Of course there are downsides and sacrifices, the risk of spoilers and missing out on the hype. But at least you’ll achieve your goal to save money on streaming services.
That’s why this trick is for the most dedicated only, because if you’re someone who prefers to watch episodes immediately when they drop, you might find it worth keeping multiple subscriptions active. But if you’re patient and ready for a change, you can finally save your wallet.
Cancel your subscription before it’s getting charged
By canceling your subscription before it automatically renews, you’re avoided of being charged for another subscription period. This is a useful trick if you have already finished watching the content you wanted. It’s also a smart way for you to avoid extra costs and maintain better control over your entertainment budget.
Don’t forget to set the alarm or reminder for your billing deadline–at least a day before the due date and make a list of upcoming TV show release dates so you can re-subs to the platform.
Do not miss the streaming service deals and bundles!
Always look for discounts or bundle packages on streaming services during black friday or special occasions. Maximize your free trial benefit and pause it before you’re getting charged.
Bundle packages like Disney Hotstar can also be an alternative option for you, you can still enjoy the content across multiple platforms such Hulu and ESPN at a lower price.
And eligible Hulu subscribers can add on Disney Plus for USD2. Lastly, be sure to look for student discounts and check with your mobile carrier to see which ones offer free streaming subscriptions.
Another tip, you can use monthly billing only instead of annual pass. The only benefit of opting for an annual plan is when there’s a discount or the price is drastically cut down.
Pick one or two platforms to be your must-have service
You can choose one or two platforms to be your priority and a must-have streaming service for a year. How about other services? You can still pick one or three more platforms that fit your monthly subscriptions.
Then, rotate these monthly subscriptions according to what shows you want to watch so you can enjoy your favorite shows without breaking your monthly budget.
I know it’s hard to unsubscribe all of your favorite streaming platforms but trust me, it is worth trying. You can use these recipes to enjoy your favorite shows while keeping your expenses under control.
