5 Ways to Fight

You cut the cord to save money, right? That was a promise. But look at your credit card statement right now. If you subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+, you’re probably paying as much as you were paying for old-school cable.

Netflix is ​​the king of slow bleeding. It just raised the prices again. According to the Los Angeles Times, the premium plan is now a staggering $26.99 per month, and the ad-supported tier has jumped to $8.99.

That’s more than $320 a year for premium television viewing. And let’s be honest, half the time you’re just scrolling through the menu 40 minutes before bed.

It’s time to stop bleeding money. Here’s how you fight back against the streaming giants.

1. Scroll down to the ad section

I know you hate ads. We all do it. But you have to ask yourself if skipping a few ads is worth paying more than double the price. Netflix’s standard plan with ads is now $8.99 a month, compared to its more expensive ad-free options.

If you’re trying to figure out where all your money is going each month, lowering your rate is an easy first step. You can see exactly how they stack up against the competition in this breakdown of the “8 Most Popular Streaming TV Services – Ranked from Least to Most Expensive.”

2. Accept the way of repentance

You don’t need access to the entire streaming library 365 days a year. It is a waste of money. If you only watch Netflix for a certain show, buy it the month the new season drops, eat it, and cancel.

Rotate your subscription. Pay for HBO Max in October, Hulu in November, and Netflix in December. You need to beat the squeeze on streaming subscriptions by making smart, deliberate choices. Live streaming companies are making their billions off of your laziness. Don’t let them.

3. Get rid of your local library’s applications

If you are paying full price for individual services, you are doing it wrong. Your local library card gives you access to a gold mine of free entertainment with apps like Hoopla and Kanopy.

It’s a smart way to save money on movies, music, and more. Before you pay for Netflix outright, check your local library’s digital offerings and start watching for free.

4. Clean the freeloaders

Netflix already refuses to share passwords, making it difficult to split the account across multiple households without paying extra. In fact, if you want to understand all the loopholes and rules, check out “All Netflix Password Sharing Policies, Explained.”

If you are the main account holder, check your settings now. You may be paying an extra monthly fee for a sibling or roommate who was once able to afford their own subscription. Cut yourself off. Your money, not the charity.

5. Track your spending aggressively

I want you to track exactly how many hours you watched Netflix this month. If it’s less than 10 hours, you pay the hourly rate for background noise. You’re probably wasting more than $100 a month without realizing it, so do a quick search of your bank and credit card statements. Cancel the service.

You can always turn it on again in three minutes if you really miss it. You’ve never been locked up, so stop pretending. Control your subscription before it controls you.