There are tons of great shows and movies on dozens of streaming services, but even a subscription to five of them could cost you more than $50 a month. (Just check out the latest Disney Plus pricing news.) We’ll show you a trick that can help you save money.
Think about it: Subscribe to one or more services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, or HBO Max, stream until your favorite series ends its season, and then look for the next thing to watch. But are multiple subscriptions worth keeping active if you’re not actively watching anything on them? I don’t think so.
Here’s an overview of our money saving strategy and some tips on how to become a master at it.
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Rotate your streaming services
For cord cutters, ditching expensive cable packages in favor of streaming is a win for the wallet. Since we can sign up for monthly plans, it’s easy to jump into a streaming service and jump out when the prices go up or the content dries up. According to Deloitte’s 2022 media trends report, the biggest reasons people cancel their streaming subscriptions are cost and lack of fresh content. Media companies call this behavior “churn.” We call this the rotation method.
Advantages? Save money and avoid a content drought. Let’s say a hot title like House of the Dragon or The Real Housewives premieres on the service. Note down the total number of episodes and wait until they are all available on the platform at once. To see also : Why Is Everyone Talking About Netflix Stocks?. You cancel HBO Max, Disney Plus, or another service, then when episodes become available, you re-subscribe to catch up on your favorites. My monthly guide on which streaming services to cancel can help you stay on top of things.
Downside? You won’t have instant access to every show you want to watch, and you’ll have to wait until the entire season airs. And since many streaming services release new episodes every week rather than all at once, you might not be caught up at the same time as your friends. If you’re someone who prefers to watch episodes as soon as they drop, you may decide that it’s worth having multiple subscriptions at the same time. However, if you have patience, you can save some money.
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The strategy can also work if you have a live TV streaming service to keep up with a particular sport. When the season ends, cancel the service and save big or switch to a cheaper platform with fewer channels like Sling TV.
Would you want to pay for four months of Disney Plus to watch Andorra when you can watch all 12 episodes in November for the price of one month?
Tip no. 1: Cancel your streaming subscription before getting charged
Set calendar reminders for your billing cycle and upcoming TV show or movie release dates. Give yourself enough notice to start or stop your subscription. Apps like JustWatch, TV Time and Hobi help you keep track of when and where TV shows and movies appear on the streaming service.
Tip no. 2: Snag a streaming service deal
Look for discounts on streaming services. For example, Starz is offering a special rate of $5 per month for three months, which cuts its regular monthly rate of $9 almost in half. You can also take advantage of the Disney Bundle, which provides access to Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus in one package at a discounted price. To see also : Opening and Closing: Business events around the region. And eligible Hulu subscribers can add on Disney Plus for $3. Finally, check with your carrier to see which ones offer free streaming subscriptions.
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Tip no. 3: Pick one or two default streamers
Subscribe to one or two must-have services for the year and choose just one or two more options that fit your monthly budget. Read also : Breaking Bad is among the popular series that will be removed from Netflix in 2025. Rotate bonus services around what you want to watch, ensuring you don’t miss out on your favorite shows while sticking to your monthly spending limit.
Tip no. 4: Stick to monthly billing
Avoid annual subscriptions and pay attention to auto-renewal payment dates. Your billing cycle can help determine when is the best time to leave the service, even if you’ve only signed up for a free trial.
Tip no. 5: Don’t cancel your streaming service, pause it
Hulu lets you pause your subscription for up to 12 weeks, and Sling has a similar option with terms. Check with your streaming provider to see if you can take a temporary break without cancelling.
Try it and if you don’t like it, you can always subscribe again. For more great tips on streaming TV, check out this guide to Netflix’s hidden tricks and our recommendations for the best online services.
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