Jonah JacobsWe’ll show you how via some simple tips that you can start following today.
When you’re looking to cut costs so you can make your bills more manageable, entertainment expenses are a great place to start. Eating out is one of the biggest budget-busting culprits, but so is cable, going to the movies, etc.
Just think of your cable-watching ways. Do you watch all of the channels in your lineup? And are you watching TV at all hours? The answer to both questions is probably no, which is why streaming services may be right up your alley, as they offer on-demand content at a lower price.
Are there free streaming services? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Best of all, there are several of them that you can combine to replace cable completely. Here’s how.
1. Call your cable company.
Even if you don’t want to cut the cord just yet, a quick call to your cable company can help you save money. Many companies know that streaming services are pushing them out of business, so they’ll offer discounts via retention specialists to keep you as a customer.
If you aren’t offered a discount for threatening to cancel or are ready to get rid of cable, ask how you can end your subscription and proceed to step 2.
2. Install an HD antenna.
Some people cut the cord since they only watch major networks and local news. How do they do it? By installing a cheap HD antenna that gives them high-quality picture for local channels and networks like CBS and ABC.
3. Start looking at free streaming services.
If you have kids who want more selection than just local channels and major networks, free streaming services can help. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can enjoy an amazing amount of movies, TV shows, and even original content at no cost.
Here are some of the most popular free streaming services out there, although there are many more than what you’ll see in this list:
- Pluto TV – Over 250 channels across all genres, including news, sports, reality TV, and more.
- Crackle – Original content plus popular TV shows and movies.
- Tubi – Tons of free movies and TV shows on-demand in a user-friendly interface like Netflix.
- Vudu – Similar to Tubi with its wide selection of TV shows and movies.
- The Roku Channel – Stream free movies and TV shows through your Roku device. You can also stream through a laptop at no cost if you don’t have Roku.
4. Sign up for some free trials.
With your savings from cutting the cord, you may want to splurge now and then with premium streaming services like Hulu and Netflix. You can give each a test drive before paying by signing up for their free one-month trials. It’s worth noting that Netflix only offers a free trial for its DVD rental service.
