10 Hacks to Save Money on Netflix
What’s the first name that comes to your mind when someone talks about streaming shows or movies? Netflix, right?
Netflix paved the way for the many different streaming services available today, which is why it has become the gold standard for streaming subscriptions.
But paying for Netflix every month adds up – especially if you subscribe to the premium plan at $19.99 a month.
You don’t have to pay more than $200 a year for Netflix if you use these 10 hacks to save money and get the most out of your subscription.
1. Consider a Cheaper Plan
Netflix offers three different price plans.
- The Basic Plan: $9.99 per month with 1 stream in SD
- The Standard Plan: $15.49 per month with up to 2 streams in up to 1080p
- The Premium Plan: $19.99 per month with up to 4 streams in 4K UHD
If you subscribe to the premium plan, you are spending $240 a year. Are the extra streams and the ultra-high definition worth that much to you?
You can cut costs in half by choosing the basic plan. It would mean giving up the highest quality definition and only being able to stream on one device at a time, but saving $10 a month/$120 a year just might be a better option for you.
2. Netflix on Us
If you have T-Mobile and Netflix, you need to stop what you are doing right now and make sure you are signed up to get your free Netflix subscription through T-Mobile’s “Netflix on Us” deal (I’ll wait).
This deal is available to those on select Magenta and Magenta Max plans.
Use Your Phone for Even More Savings
Your cell phone can potentially save you money on Netflix, and it can also save you money when you shop.
Dosh is a free cash-back app that pays when you to shop, dine, and travel. All you have to do is link your cards and shop as you normally would.
Dosh has more than 100,000 partners that pay, so you’re bound to score some free cash. Once you’ve earned $25, redeem through Paypal or Venmo.
Download Dosh (grab your $1 welcome bonus when you connect your card) and start earning cash back effortlessly on everyday purchases.
3. Use Discounted Gift Cards to Pay Monthly Bill
Be on the lookout for discounted Netflix gift cards, which you can find on card-selling websites.
It’s not only the Netflix-specific discounted gift cards that work either. You can also use discounted iTunes or Google Play gift cards to pay for Netflix.
Speaking of gift cards, ask family and friends to gift you with a Netflix subscription (via a Netflix gift card) this holiday season.
Pay Your Bill With a Rewards Credit Card
Credit card issuers offer a variety of rewards cards where you can earn cash back. If you pay your Netflix subscription with a rewards card, then you can be scoring anywhere from 1 to 3% cash back every time you pay the bill.
Because there are so many rewards cards, it can be confusing trying to figure out the best one.
However, Credit Land makes it easy to find the right rewards card for you.
Credit Land does all the research for you so you can compare rewards cards.
Do you want a cash-back rewards card? A gas rewards card? A travel rewards card? One with a good sign-up bonus?
No matter what kind of rewards card you are looking for, Credit Land’s ratings will help you make an informed decision.
Check out Credit Land to find a rewards credit card that will earn you cash back.
4. Split Cost with Family & Friends
Netflix is designed to make it easy for multiple users to be on one account, allowing accounts to create multiple profiles, each with personalized recommendations.
Given this option, look for opportunities to split costs with family members in your household or roommates.
You can also try to split the cost with those outside your household, but Netflix is threatening to come after users who do so.
Another option: If you have kids with an allowance, split the cost of a Netflix subscription. If your kids are always fighting because you only have a basic 1 stream subscription, offer to let them help pay for a higher level subscription service.
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5. Save on Mobile Data & Switch to Wi-Fi Only When Watching Netflix Programming
For those who save money by not paying for unlimited data plans, choose Wi-Fi only for streaming shows.
In addition, Netflix has an option that allows you to stream in a lower resolution, which also saves on mobile data.
Tap the profile icon on your Netflix app, tap App Settings, tap Video Playback, and then select Cellular Data Usage. Switch from “Automatic” to “Save Data.”
6. Get Netflix App to Download Shows
Another tip for saving on data usage is to download the Netflix app to your devices. With the Netflix app, you can download shows to watch them on the go without using data.
Simply find the show you want to watch offline and select the download arrow icon to download it to your device.
Make sure you download when you are connected to Wi-Fi to avoid using mobile data.
7. Watch Ads & Save on Bill
In September 2022, word came out that Netflix will introduce an ad-supported subscription tier, similar to other streaming services like Hulu and Peacock.
By agreeing to watch ads, you can enjoy Netflix at a much cheaper price, possibly as low as $7 to $9 a month.
The details have not been released yet but keep this in mind when renewing your Netflix subscription.
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8. Kick Off Those Netflix Moochers
No one likes the feeling of being taken advantage of.
If you allow others to use your Netflix log-in credentials and they are not helping you pay the bill, then you’re being taken advantage of.
Remind them they need to help with costs. If they don’t, fortunately, it’s quick and easy to cut off Netflix moochers.
Go to your Netflix account and click “Sign Out of All Devices.”
After you sign out, change your password when you log back in. And don’t give it away freely!
9. Monitor Your Viewing and Billing
We watch Netflix more in some months than others. Pay attention to how much you watch to have a better idea if what you spend on your Netflix subscription is worth it.
Many people tend to only watch certain shows on Netflix, such as Stranger Things or Bridgerton. Because these shows are only released at certain times of the year, only subscribe for the months when you plan to watch these shows.
You can cancel and restart Netflix at any time. This means you can cancel after you finish the new season of Stranger Things and restart when the new season comes out next year.
When you do not renew your subscription, sometimes Netflix might even try to lure you back with a deal or a free trial.
Plus, Netflix keeps your viewing activity for 10 months after closing an account. If you restart within that time, all your old shows will be queued up and ready to go.
Save Money on Unused Subscriptions with the Trim App
Where are you bleeding money? The Trim app has made it its mission to solve this problem for you.
Trim app not only identifies and cancels unused subscriptions, they also negotiate lower internet bills, phone bills, cable bills, and medical bills.
Trim is good at what they do. Trim users saved over $1M last month alone!
If Trim saves you money, you keep 66% of your savings the first year, and 100% of your savings every year after that.
If Trim does not save you money, you lose nothing.
Please note that Trim takes their payment immediately. For example, if Trim saves you $10/month, they will request their 33% fee ($40) right away. But you keep 100% of the savings after that.
Put an end to wasting money on unused and unwanted subscriptions. Download the free Trim app right here.
10. Cancel Netflix Subscription Today and Continue Watching Your Favorite Shows
After reading the last 9 hacks, you may be ready to let your Netflix subscription go. You might be tempted to tell Siri to remind you the day before your renewal date, but there’s no need to chance it.
You can cancel anytime, and you will still have time to binge-watch your favorite series until the end of your billing period.
So, before you start mourning the loss of your favorite streaming shows, the good news is everything doesn’t suddenly disappear when you hit cancel.
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About the author Michelle Salater
Michelle Salater is a freelance finance writer with a passion for personal finance education. When she’s not in front of her computer, she’s reading biographies and exploring remote areas of the world. She also freelances for Wooster Media Group LLC.
