Cut Your Monthly Streaming Costs with Hulu, Peacock, Netflix, and More

Saving on Streaming TV Expenses – A Savvy Strategy

Are you finding yourself streaming more shows and movies than ever before, but also realizing that your expenses are piling up? With Netflix raising fees for password sharing and other streaming platforms hiking their prices, it’s easy to end up spending a significant amount each month just to enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies. But fear not, there’s a workaround for your budgetary concerns.

The Rotation Method – A Financially Savvy Strategy

For cord-cutters who have transitioned from cable to streaming, the ability to sign up for monthly plans provides an opportunity to easily switch between streaming services based on price increases and content availability. This behavior, often referred to as “churn” by media companies, can be a smart approach to save money and avoid content droughts. We’re calling it the rotation method, and it’s worth giving it a try.

Let’s say a highly anticipated series, like Ahsoka, Only Murders in the Building, or Love Island, is set to premiere on a streaming service. Instead of keeping all your streaming accounts active, you can adopt a strategy to rotate your subscriptions. Wait until all the episodes are available on the platform, cancel the service you’re currently using, and then resubscribe to catch up with the entire season. Alternatively, if you’re not in a hurry, you can start streaming a show midseason to reduce costs.

This strategy may require some patience, as you won’t have immediate access to all the shows you want to watch. Since many streaming services release new episodes weekly, you might not be caught up at the same time as your friends. However, if you’re willing to wait, you can save a significant amount of money.

This approach also works for live TV streaming services that you may use to watch specific sports or major events like the Women’s World Cup. Once the season wraps up, you can either cancel the service or switch to a cheaper platform with fewer channels, such as Sling TV.

Tips to Perfect the Rotation Strategy

While implementing the rotation method, it’s essential to follow a few handy tips to ensure a smooth streaming experience:

1. Cancel Before Billing

Keep track of your billing cycle and upcoming TV show or movie release dates. Set calendar reminders to give yourself enough time to begin or end a subscription. Various apps like JustWatch, TV Time, and Hobi can help you track when and where TV shows and movies appear on streaming services. You can rely on smart home devices like Google Home or Amazon Echo to set reminders and get notified about upcoming bills or streaming release dates using voice assistants like Alexa.

2. Take Advantage of Deals

Look out for discounts on streaming services. Pay attention to offers from platforms like Starz, which regularly provides month-long deals that significantly reduce their monthly price. Additionally, consider the Disney Bundle, where you can access Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus together at a reduced price. Check with your mobile carrier as well, as some may offer free streaming subscriptions.

3. Choose Your Essential Services

Determine which streaming services you can’t live without and subscribe to one or two of them for the entire year. Then, select one or two additional services that fit within your monthly budget. You can rotate these bonus services based on the shows or movies you want to watch, ensuring you don’t miss out on your favorites while staying within your spending limit.

4. Embrace Monthly Billing

Avoid opting for annual subscriptions and pay attention to auto-renewal payment dates. Even if you’ve only signed up for a free trial, your billing cycle can help you determine the best time to quit a service. The advantage of an annual plan is usually only worthwhile when the price is significantly reduced.

5. Pause Instead of Canceling

Some streaming providers, such as Hulu and Sling, offer the option to pause your subscription for a specific period, typically up to 12 weeks. Check with your streaming service to see if you can take a temporary break without canceling. Give it a shot, and if you don’t like it, you can always resubscribe.

By following these tips and implementing the rotation method, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies while keeping your streaming expenses in check. It’s a great way to save money and avoid paying for multiple services when you’re not actively watching them.

To discover more fantastic streaming TV tips, check out our guide to Netflix’s hidden tricks and our recommendations for the best VPNs. Happy streaming!

Cut Your Monthly Streaming Costs with Hulu, Peacock, Netflix, and More