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Streaming has gone from being a cheaper alternative to cable, to an actually worse version of cable. The price of streaming services has skyrocketed since the early days, and content has been haphazardly strewn across different subscriptions. Not only that, each of the streaming services are continually raising prices on consumers. If you find yourself subscribed to Netflix, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, and Disney+ all at once you’re probably paying way too much for streaming right now.
Thankfully there are some options to cut down on your budget without just canceling your access to everything. There are ways to bundle services together, free trials, and streaming alternatives out there you can take advantage of. Below I’ve gathered a quick list of ways I’ve found to save money and still watch an endless stream of quality entertainment on the daily.
Bundle Services Where You Can
Get the Disney+, Hulu, Max Streaming Bundle
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$16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free.
The overall best way to save money on streaming is to take advantage of streaming bundle options. The first and most obvious bundle worth mentioning is the Disney+, Hulu, Max combo that puts all three of the popular streamers in a single monthly charge that is pretty good discount. This is the overall best deal in streaming right now and something I myself have taken advantage of. If you’re currently paying for all three of those services separately, you are spending way too much money for no reason. Bundle it up while you still can.
Outside of this bundle, there are also various live TV streaming services that bundle a cable-like experience with streaming. There’s the Hulu + Live TV subscription that includes ESPN+ and Disney+ all in one bill. This is a great option if you want an all-in-one service that includes regular channels.
Take Advantage of Free Trials
Apple TV+ Free Trial
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Another great option for saving money is to utilize free trials. Although some a major streaming service like Netflix does not have a free trial, there are plenty of other options available. Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+ all include a free streaming trial you can test drive for seven days or more. It’s entirely possible to grab a free trial of Apple TV+ and binge both seasons of Severance within that seven-day period. You just need to remember to cancel the service before you start getting charged a monthly fee.
Free trials can also be helpful if you’re trying to catch a live sporting event. Many of the popular sports streaming services offer some sort of free trial for new subscribers that work in a pinch. Some of the best choices in this regard are the Hulu + Live TV free trial and the Fubo free trial, which get you access to a great variety of channels.
Utilize Free Streaming Sites
Sling TV Freestream
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With even some paid subscriptions now including ads, there are many free streaming sites out there that don’t cost a penny. Sure, they have ads, but if you’re already paying for the basic tier of a site like Hulu just so you can watch TV and movies that are available for free, you might as well not be paying at all. One great option I’ve used occasionally is Sling Freestream, which offers a ton of free channels and the option of free DVR when you create a free account. There’s also Kanopy, which allows you to stream movies for free with the use of a library card.
If you’re looking for a place to more specifically stream anime for free, there are actually quite a few places with episodes available for free. Though the overall best option is the Crunchyroll free tier. You can also upgrade to premium with a free trial of the paid tiers if you want to test a full subscription.
Get Yourself an HD TV Antenna
Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro
4
Enjoy long-range and solid, consistent reception with this amplified HDTV antenna that offers an easy setup and a 12-foot power cable.
The last suggestion I have for anyone who specifically wants to watch live channels without having to log in somewhere online is to get yourself a good TV antenna. Some TVs come with a way to access live TV channels, but if yours doesn’t then you just need to pick up an antenna and plug it in for free channels straight from the air. This will automatically get you access to major networks as well as local channels. I have one myself that I’ve used to watch live sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics last year. It’s also great for shows like The Bachelor, which tend to air live before they hit streaming anyway.
A good indoor TV antenna costs around $50 or more, but it’s a one time purchase you shouldn’t need to make again. There’s no recurring monthly payment involved, you just get some good old-fashioned live TV with ads.
Find Free Movies on YouTube
YouTube YouTube Premium Student
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Students can save by signing up for YouTube Premium with their student email.
Similar to the free streaming sites we’ve mentioned above, YouTube offers quite a few free movies you can stream at any given time. There are literally hundreds of movies you can watch for free at any given time. In addition to those, there’s also seemingly endless videos about every other topic available on YouTube. There are usually a lot of ads on videos if you don’t have a premium subscription, but if you can get past that it’s a pretty good free alternative to major streamers.
For students who want to avoid the ads altogether, there’s also a discount available that makes the service pretty cheap.
Jacob Kienlen is a Senior SEO Strategist and Writer for IGN. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he has considered the Northwest his home for his entire life. With a bachelor’s degree in communication and over 8 years of professional writing experience, his expertise is spread across a variety of different topics — from TV series to indie games and popular book series.
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