Streaming Service: Know When to say When

Yesterday, I was talking to a couple of neighbors about streaming shows we were watching and liking, and in the course of speaking with the husband and wife, as they started talking, the husband started listing programs, and the wife would say, 'Wait-what app is that on?'...and the husband would tell her, and then she'd say, 'Oh. I didn't know we had that app.' After a few minutes of the back and forth listing shows, and the wife asking what streaming app this show was on, it became apparent that the couple probably had at least 10+ *paid* streaming services. And, I wasn't the only one that had done that mental math.  At some point in the conversation, the wife asked the husband how much they were spending on monthly streaming, and he replied, 'About $350.'  At which point, she lost it...and while I kept my mouth shut (a major miracle for me!), I realized there was a massive savings lesson born right in front of my eyes-and this post practically wrote itself. :)

My husband and I have only been proper cord cutters since August 2021-and even went back to cable for a few years until we again (and finally) cut the cords in June 2024.  Since then, we've subscribed/tried almost every major paid-for streaming service, and have currently landed on the following Apps at the following cost:

So, what I pay in one *year* is still more than half of what our neighbors pay in one month.  How the heck is this even possible?  Like always, I take advantage of every discount/deal I can to find:

• We get a $25/month streaming credit with a credit card, so that covers Hulu+HBO
• Thru this same credit card, we also receive a monthly credit to cover Walmart+; as a result of the Walmart+ account, we then get to choose if we want free Paramount+ or free Peacock.  Given the deal on Peacock I have ($19.99/year-more on that in a moment)-I chose Paramount
• We have an Amazon Prime account, so the streaming service is technically at no additional monthly cost
• A few years ago, I found a screamer of a deal with Peacock-$19.99/YEAR.  Each year since, when I've gone to cancel the service at renewal (when they're quoting me $7.99/month), I get offered the $19.99/year again and accept
• The only service I have yet to find additional deals to take advantage of is Netflix, so we currently pay full price on *one* service.  ...and believe me, we get the value! :)

It's worth noting that we currently don't have ads free on any apps-which easily saves a good $30+ a month!- and only have the standard service with the apps (which also probably saves ~$40-$50 a month).  So, yes, it's a matter of being a bit limited in what we have, but ads=bathroom or drink breaks, so it's time well used....and while there are some things we miss (usually live TV sports) by not paying for premium services, we save a ton of $$ each month.

I could be wrong, but I assume that most people switch over to streaming services in an attempt to save $$$ versus Cable TV.  It's certainly why we did it.  And when we first switched over, we started just with Hulu and Amazon, and have slowly added a few more channels over the years-but we've been incredibly mindful of the added cost with each app, and have even juggled/switched apps over time to reduce cost.  I suspect that my neighbors (like a lot of folks who have subscriptions) just slowly added apps over time without appreciating the total monthly/annual cost, which is why they're currently staring at a $350 monthly bill-but in 10+ $20-$40 charges.

...or, my husband and I are just outliers!  Regardless, it's certainly worth noting that there are deals to be had in streaming apps. It's just a matter of finding them-very often thru current services (Credit Cards, Mobile Accounts, Major Retailers like Amazon or Walmart), and  I'm willing to play the game for substantial savings every time.

What about you my royal subjects?  What are you paying each month?  What games for savings are you playing?  I'd love to learn more, so please leave your comment below!