We’re not even two weeks into 2023, and already the year is dominated by rising costs. Practically everything is going up, from electric and gas bills to that takeaway ‘deal’ at Pizza Hut that used to be £5 less than it is now (I’m not bitter at all).
With all that in mind, I’ve compiled some of the top tips to keep costs down. Hopefully, my bank account will thank me… and who knows, maybe yours will too.
Audit subscriptions and plan ahead
Streaming services don’t typically have penalties for leaving, and some even have incentives for coming back (like Sky’s streaming service, Now ). Therefore, if you’ve not used something in a while, simply cancel it and keep your list of services on the low side. Be sure to check your monthly bank statement to see if there are any sneaky subscriptions in there that you’ve forgotten about.
Disney
Check if shows and movies are available via free streaming services
One of the biggest mistakes I used to make is not checking what shows and films are available on services that don’t cost a penny.
Many of these platforms include on-demand content for some of the most popular shows such as Love Island and The Traitors , as well as a library of older classics like Broadchurch and Peaky Blinders.
These platforms also sometimes get the rights to other popular shows and films. At the time of writing, ITVX has all the Back to the Future films and DC superhero hit Shazam!, whilst BBC iPlayer just got the streaming rights to HBO hit, Our Flag Means Death, and has the latest series of the epic fantasy show, His Dark Materials.
Warner Bros.
Take advantage of free trials and discounts
If you’re desperate to watch a film or binge a series on a streaming service, then you might be able to take advantage of a free trial and cancel before you are billed. Right now you can stream one of the biggest films of last year, Top Gun: Maverick on Paramount+ for absolutely nothing by utilising its free trial.
Not all platforms offer free trials, sadly. Netflix and Disney+ are two major ones that don’t but you can get them from the following:
- Amazon Prime Video – 30 days free
- Apple TV+ – 7 days free
- Paramount+ – 7 days free
- Discovery+ – 7 days free
- BritBox – 7 days free
- HBO Max – 7 days free via Amazon Prime Channels (US only)
- Hulu – 30 days free (US only)
- Starz – 7 days free (US only)
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for discounts around Black Friday and other company specific events like Disney+ day. In the UK, we have seen major price slashes for Disney+ and Now around these periods, whilst HBO Max and Hulu had killer offers during sales.
Warner Bros.
Downgrade to a cheaper plan
I get it, sometimes cancelling is just not on the cards. However, it is worth thinking about downgrading a subscription to a cheaper one, providing you’re happy to make compromises.
The platform with the most tiers to choose from is Netflix, which now has plans from as little as $6.99/£4.99 per month. However, this does come with ads – you can read up on how these impact your viewing experience here . HBO Max, Peacock, Disney+ and Paramount+ also offer ad-supported content for less money per month.
If ads are a no go, then Netflix is one of the few platforms that offers different price tiers based on the quality of the video, the number of simultaneous streams and more. You can read up on your options in our guide to the best Netflix plan for you.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Bundle in services with another contract
It’s likely that you have other obligated contracts, such as a monthly smartphone bill, internet or cable TV. Nowadays, many big companies throw in a streaming subscription for zilch, so be sure to shop around.
Those in the UK can get platforms like Netflix and Paramount+ for free via Sky , which also includes all the content on Now, or bundle in a Prime/Disney+ membership via a smartphone contract with O2 – even if it’s a SIM-only deal (I’m looking into that one as I write this).
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What I’m watching this week
During my teen years, I spent far too much time binging the same comedies repeatedly, and as such I missed out on a true classic. On the recommendation of my other half, I’m now two seasons deep into Community, and I’m truly addicted.
The show is about seven students at Greendale Community College who come from all walks of life. Against the odds, they form a study group, and the madness unfolds from there.
With a whole array of special guests and homages to film and television troupes, this is the perfect show to lighten your mood. What’s more, the cast of Community is reuniting for a film which is due to start filming this June. Therefore, now is the perfect time to get watching.
You can stream all six seasons of Community over on Netflix in the US and UK.
Author: Hannah Cowton-Barnes, Entertainment Editor, Tech Advisor
As Tech Advisor’s Entertainment Editor, Hannah is the resident expert in all things streaming, film and TV. Before joining Tech Advisor in 2019, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds and created a website dedicated to geek culture and lifestyle. She’s also reviewed a whole range of gadgets including flagship smartphones, wearables and styling tools. Outside of Foundry, she’s written freelance pieces for Polygon, Metro and Den of Geek, and is proud to be a Women Techmakers Ambassador for Google.
Recent stories by Hannah Cowton-Barnes:
- Harry Potter TV series has finally revealed a release window
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- The Traitors will return for season 5 with new twists and challenges
