Save Money on Streaming Services: 9 Easy Tips

Gone are the days when streaming services were supposed to save us from sky-high cable bills. Now, the average US consumer spends $69 a month on streaming, and companies are cracking down on password-sharing to save costs. Netflix’s budget-friendly, ad-free option? No longer available. HBO Max? Removed features from its cheapest, ad-free tier. Peacock? No free option anymore. Even Prime Video, often unnoticed because it’s bundled with Amazon Prime, added commercials and charges $2.99 a month to remove them.

Looking to cut costs but keep watching your favorite shows? Here are some tips:

1. Cut the Cord on Live TV

Live TV is the priciest part of any streaming plan, but if you can wait a day or two to catch up on Hulu or Peacock, ditching live TV can save you money. Don’t worry; you can still enjoy the channel-surfing experience. If you have a Roku, The Roku Channel offers hundreds of live channels for free. Just open the app, pick a channel, and start watching. Don’t have a Roku? No problem. You can download the app or visit TheRokuChannel.com on your computer or mobile device.

Pluto TV is another great option for free streaming with a wide selection of live TV channels. You can watch them on their website or via their apps on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and streaming devices.