Streaming costs inching up? Cheapskate secrets you need to know

The top-tier Netflix plan is now a jaw-dropping $22.99 a month. I remember being shocked when it hit $19.99, and here we are again. And Netflix isn’t alone; Disney+ and Hulu have raised their prices, and you can bet every other streaming service will soon follow suit.

It’s the perfect time to take a step back and really examine what you’re paying for. Here are tips to help you trim down those monthly charges.

Audit your subscriptions

Streaming services thrive on autopilot subscriptions — you know, those monthly charges you barely notice till they all add up. My golden rule? If I’m actively watching a show, I keep the service, and if I’m not, I’ll cancel and only resubscribe when there’s something new I want to watch.

Set a reminder a few days on your calendar before each subscription payment to review whether you still need the service. This simple habit can save you from unexpected charges.

Canceling on mobile?

Streaming companies make canceling tricky. They know most of us are too busy or frustrated to follow through. The process can be especially confusing if you’re using a smartphone, so cancel from a desktop or laptop computer, where it’s much easier to navigate.

Don’t miss out on freebies

You might already have access to free movies and TV shows and not even know it! For example:

  • Max (formerly HBO Max): Included with some AT&T phone and internet plans.
  • Apple TV+: Free for three months with the purchase of a new Apple device or for T‑Mobile customers with specific plans.
  • Paramount+: Some Walmart+ members get a free Paramount+ subscription included with their membership.
  • Peacock: Free access to limited content for Comcast Xfinity internet and TV customers.
  • Spotify Premium with Hulu: If you’re a Spotify Premium student subscriber, you get Hulu (ad-supported) and Showtime included.
  • T-Mobile: Free Netflix with certain plans.
  • Verizon: Offers the Disney+ bundle (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+) free with some unlimited plans.
  • Amex Platinum: Includes monthly statement credits for services like Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ as part of its Entertainment Credit (check the terms!).
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve: Offers subscription credits for select services like DoorDash, which sometimes bundles free streaming perks.
  • Capital One Rewards: Occasionally offers free trials for streaming platforms via their rewards marketplace.

It’s worth checking if your cellphone provider, credit card company or internet provider includes streaming perks. I bet they do!

There are also great free streaming services, like Pluto TV, Tubi and Crackle, each offering a surprising variety of shows and movies without a subscription. Here are seven ways to stream TV and movies for free.

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5 free resources to grow your business

Entrepreneurs and small business owners need all the help they can get. When you’re a self-starter, you’re constantly on the go, multitasking and doing all you can to grow your company quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of free small business resources that can help you along the way.

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My fave price is free: Pro video-editing software usually comes with a pro-level price — unless you know the best freebies. Kdenlive is free and open-source, and it gets new updates all the time. It works with Windows, Mac and Linux.

Get food freebies with these 3 apps

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There’s nothing better than free food. Here are some apps to help you get it.

👁️ Coming to a store near you: Facial recognition that spots suspicious friendliness. “Sweethearting” is when employees slip discounts or freebies to people they know. The system monitors how closely customers stand to staff and whether they always choose the same employee. If something seems off, store security gets alerted.

7 ways to stop paying so much on streaming every dang month

Five years ago, Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu with Live TV would cost you around $56 a month. Not bad! Today, the exact services will run you over $106. How’s that for outrageous?

New research shows we’re more cutthroat than ever about what we pay to stream. Let’s look at some clever ways people save so you can, too!

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It’s summer! Protect your tech from the heat

Tech is expensive, and there are endless ways to ruin yours. Scan this list of five ways you might be destroying your phone, laptop, tablet and TV.

While we’re talking money, I put together a list of tech freebies you can grab right now.

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How do you sell a $20K TV? By including lots of freebies. TCL is giving a free Super Bowl ticket to the first 115 people to buy its massive 115-inch TV. Fine print: If they run out of tickets, you might have to settle for a Hollywood movie premiere or a trip to the next CES tech conference.

This mom goes screen-free

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Most kids are glued to the computer. But Stacy Liberatore, Deputy Science and Technology Editor at DailyMail.com, takes a different approach — she says no to screens for her daughter. Plus, updates on ChatGPT-4o, Gmail AI features, and fast food freebies. 

Score: A bunch of fast-food restaurants have apps that give you discounts and free stuff. Here’s a list. Just know you’re handing over data, so the freebies aren’t really free. Worth it for french fries? Your call.

Money tight? 14 great things you can get for free

There’s always something new to spend money on regarding tech. Here’s a secret some companies don’t want you to know: You can get a lot without spending a dime.

Speaking of money, I hear from people all the time who want to cut Netflix, Hulu, and other expensive streaming services. Did you know that mobile carriers offer free streaming service subscriptions as part of their plans? Here’s what T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T are offering.

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10 tech freebies to grab now: Software, phone service, logos and more

There’s never a dull moment when you own your own business. You don’t report to anyone but are on the hook for all the big decisions. You have complete control over what you spend your money on, but the bills never stop coming. Tap or click for small business tips that will save you money.

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Best free Windows and Mac security downloads for your computer

We rounded up some of the best ways to protect your computer against viruses, cyberattacks and other threats. We’ve got you covered if you aren’t familiar with how cybersecurity threats work. Tap or click for a quick breakdown of the five most common digital threats you’ll encounter.

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Make $ with ChatGPT, Mom Can't Handle Teen's Phone Addiction & Smart Diaper is Here

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Plus, I did research and found the best independent news sites. I get freebies from my cable company, you can too. Scammers are going after older folks on Medicare. Here’s what to watch out for and warn your family! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Small biz tip: Ways to make 2023 your best year yet

Prepare your business for the new year with these five small business resolutions for 2023. We’ll help you cut costs, gain new skills and find ways to optimize your work life. It’s time to be more strategic with your marketing goals, develop your online presence and whip your finances into shape.

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5 small biz freebies to save you some cash, from shipping materials to logos

Owning or working for a small business is full of joys: Seeing your business take off, working closely with a small team and watching your ideas flourish.

It’s not all a walk in the park, though. Small teams, limited budgets and not enough time in the day can make things challenging.

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Free versions of Excel if you don’t want to pay for Microsoft 365

Smart penny pinchers know there are a ton of freebies around the web. You have to be savvy about where you search since there are a ton of dangerous downloads lurking. We’re always here to share safe tools, like the top free Excel alternatives.

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These 5 tech tricks will make your life easier

It’s easy to be drawn into buying the latest and greatest tech. One of my goals is to give you ways to get more out of the tech you already own. Take Amazon Prime.

If you signed up to shop for this year’s Prime Day sales, don’t miss out on all the perks that come with your membership. Here are my favorite hidden Prime benefits.

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Amazon Prime is about to cost more - Here's how much you'll be paying

There are a ton of perks to being an Amazon Prime member. You can access a treasure trove of shows, movies, magazines, audiobooks and more. Tap or click here for 11 Amazon Prime perks you’ll wish you knew sooner.

That’s a lot of value for membership — but now Amazon is holding its hand out for even more money. On Thursday, the company announced a price hike on its monthly and annual membership fees. You’ll see these changes in the coming weeks.

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Privacy pro tip: New way to see exactly which apps are spying on you

It’s September, and that usually means we’ll see both hardware and software releases from Apple. The tech giant recently put out updated versions of its operating systems, new iPhone 13 models, and some new entries in the iPad family. Look for Apple Watch Series 7 later this fall.

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