Optimising Your Streaming Subscriptions
Streaming services have revolutionised how we consume entertainment, offering a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and music at our fingertips. However, the costs can quickly add up if you're not strategic. This guide provides practical tips and tricks to optimise your streaming subscriptions, saving you money while ensuring you don't miss out on your favourite content. Remember to explore what Subscribes offers to help manage your subscriptions effectively.
Sharing Accounts Legally
One of the most straightforward ways to reduce your streaming costs is by sharing accounts with family or friends. However, it's crucial to understand the terms and conditions of each service to ensure you're sharing legally.
Netflix: Netflix offers different subscription tiers, some of which allow simultaneous streaming on multiple devices. Choose a plan that suits your household's needs and share the cost with family members who live with you. Netflix has cracked down on password sharing outside of households, so ensure you are within their guidelines.
Disney+: Disney+ allows multiple profiles and simultaneous streams, making it ideal for families. Check the maximum number of devices that can stream concurrently to avoid any disruptions.
Spotify: Spotify offers a Family plan that allows up to six family members living at the same address to share a subscription. This is a significantly cheaper option than individual subscriptions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Sharing passwords with people outside your household when it violates the terms of service. This can lead to account suspension or termination.
Exceeding the maximum number of simultaneous streams. This can disrupt the viewing experience for everyone sharing the account.
Real-World Scenario:
Imagine a family of four where each member has their own streaming preferences. Instead of paying for four individual subscriptions, they opt for a Netflix Premium plan and a Disney+ subscription, sharing the cost equally. This saves them a significant amount of money each month.
Using Free Trials Strategically
Many streaming services offer free trials to attract new subscribers. By using these trials strategically, you can access a wealth of content without paying a cent.
Plan Your Viewing: Before signing up for a free trial, make a list of the shows and movies you want to watch. This will help you make the most of the trial period.
Set Reminders: Mark the trial expiration date in your calendar and set reminders to cancel before you're charged. Most services require you to manually cancel the subscription.
Stack Trials: Consider signing up for multiple free trials consecutively. For example, you could start with a Netflix trial, followed by a Disney+ trial, and then an Amazon Prime Video trial. This allows you to enjoy a variety of content without paying for an extended period.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Forgetting to cancel the trial before it expires. This results in unwanted charges.
Signing up for trials without a plan. This leads to wasted time and missed opportunities to watch the content you're interested in.
Real-World Scenario:
A student wants to catch up on several popular TV series. They sign up for a free trial of a streaming service that offers these shows and dedicates a few hours each day to binge-watching. By the end of the trial, they've watched all the episodes they wanted and successfully cancelled the subscription before being charged.
Rotating Subscriptions Based on Content
Instead of subscribing to multiple services simultaneously, consider rotating your subscriptions based on the content you want to watch. This allows you to access a wide range of shows and movies without incurring excessive costs.
Identify Your Must-Watch Content: Determine which streaming service offers the shows and movies you're most interested in at any given time.
Subscribe for a Month or Two: Subscribe to that service for a month or two, watch the content you want, and then cancel your subscription.
Switch to Another Service: When you're ready for something new, switch to another streaming service that offers different content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Subscribing to multiple services simultaneously without a clear plan. This leads to wasted money and unused subscriptions.
Forgetting to cancel subscriptions after you've watched the content you wanted. This results in unnecessary charges.
Real-World Scenario:
A movie enthusiast wants to watch all the Marvel movies. They subscribe to Disney+ for a month, binge-watch all the Marvel films, and then cancel their subscription. The following month, they subscribe to a different service to watch a selection of classic films. This allows them to enjoy a variety of content without paying for multiple subscriptions at once. You can learn more about Subscribes and how we can help you track your subscriptions.
Utilising Bundled Streaming Services
Many companies offer bundled streaming services, which can save you money compared to subscribing to each service individually. These bundles often include a combination of streaming, internet, and mobile services.
Telstra Bundles: Telstra often includes streaming subscriptions with their internet and mobile plans. Check their current offers to see if you can save money by bundling your services.
Optus Bundles: Similar to Telstra, Optus also offers bundled plans that include streaming subscriptions. Compare their offerings to find the best deal for your needs.
Amazon Prime: Amazon Prime includes Prime Video, along with free shipping and other benefits. If you're already an Amazon Prime member, you can access a wide range of movies and TV shows at no additional cost.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Assuming that bundled services are always the cheapest option. Compare the cost of bundled services with the cost of subscribing to each service individually to ensure you're getting the best deal.
Not considering your actual usage. A bundle might seem attractive, but if you don't use all the included services, you might be better off with individual subscriptions.
Real-World Scenario:
A family needs both internet and streaming services. They discover that Telstra offers a bundle that includes both at a lower price than subscribing to each service separately. They opt for the bundle and save money each month. Don't forget to check the frequently asked questions if you have any questions about bundling.
Exploring Free Streaming Options
While paid streaming services offer a vast library of content, there are also several free streaming options available. These services are typically ad-supported but can provide access to a wide range of movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
ABC iView: ABC iView offers a wide selection of Australian and international content, including news, current affairs, and entertainment programmes. It's completely free to use and ad-supported.
SBS On Demand: SBS On Demand provides access to a diverse range of films, TV shows, and documentaries from around the world. It's also free and ad-supported.
Kanopy: Kanopy partners with libraries and universities to offer free streaming of documentaries, classic films, and independent movies. You'll need a library card or university login to access Kanopy.
Tubi: Tubi is a free, ad-supported streaming service with a large library of movies and TV shows. While the selection may not be as extensive as paid services, it offers a good variety of content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Expecting the same level of content quality and selection as paid streaming services. Free streaming services typically have a smaller library and may not offer the latest releases.
Ignoring the presence of ads. Free streaming services are ad-supported, so you'll need to be prepared to watch commercials.
Real-World Scenario:
Someone on a tight budget wants to watch movies and TV shows without paying for a subscription. They discover Tubi and are pleasantly surprised by the variety of content available. They watch several movies and TV shows each month without spending any money. Consider our services to help you find the best free streaming options.
By implementing these tips and tricks, you can optimise your streaming subscriptions, save money, and enjoy a wide range of content without breaking the bank. Remember to regularly review your subscriptions and adjust your strategy based on your viewing habits and budget.