Let’s Talk About the Real Monthly Bill That Creeps Up on You…
You know the one I mean. Not rent. Not groceries. I’m talking about streaming subscriptions.
What started as a “cut the cord and save money” move has turned into Netflix + Hulu + Disney+ + Prime Video + Peacock + oh look, another free trial! Before you know it, you’re spending more than cable used to cost.
I was paying over $75/month for all the streaming platforms our family used. That’s almost $900 a year for shows we sometimes watched. So I came up with a plan—and it’s actually working.
Let me walk you through how I cut our streaming costs in half (without giving up our favorite shows).
🎬 The Core Four: Netflix, Hulu + Disney, Prime Video, and Peacock
Let’s call these the “Core Four.” If you have all of them, you’re easily looking at:
- Netflix: ~$15.50/month (Standard)
- Hulu + Disney+ (Bundle): ~$9.99/month (with ads)
- Peacock: ~$5.99/month
- Prime Video: ~$14.99/month (included with Amazon Prime)
Total? That’s around $46–$50 per month, depending on your plan. And let’s be honest—no one can realistically watch everything on all four every month.
🔁 Enter the Monthly Streaming Rotation Plan
Here’s what changed the game for us: monthly rotation.
Instead of subscribing to all platforms every month, I now rotate one or two per month based on what we want to watch.
👉 Here’s how it works:
| Month | Streaming Services Subscribed | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Netflix + Prime Video | Catch up on originals and new releases |
| February | Hulu + Disney+ | Family movies, binge some Hulu series |
| March | Peacock + Prime | Reality shows, SNL, movies |
| April | Netflix only | New season of our favorite show drops |
| May | FREE Month (see below!) | Use free services to save money |
You can adjust it depending on show release dates or what your family is into that season. The key is: don’t subscribe to more than two at once.
Most platforms make it easy to cancel and restart. And since your watchlists stay saved, you won’t lose your spot.
💡 Bundle Smarter, Not Harder
Here are some bundle options that can save you even more:
- Hulu + Disney+ + ESPN+ for $14.99/month — Great for families + sports fans.
- T-Mobile customers often get Netflix or Paramount+ included.
- Verizon offers bundles with Disney+, Hulu, and Apple TV+.
Pro Tip: Check if your phone or internet provider offers free streaming as part of your plan—you might already be paying for something you didn’t know about.
📺 Best Free Streaming Services (Yes, Totally Free!)
When we take a “subscription break,” we turn to these free (legal!) streaming apps:
- Tubi – Huge library of TV shows and movies
- Pluto TV – Live channels and on-demand options
- The Roku Channel – Great for family-friendly viewing
- Crackle – Hidden gems and older classics
- PBS Kids – Free educational content for the littles
These are ad-supported, but honestly, a few commercials are worth the savings.
📊 How to Keep Track of Your Streaming Costs
It’s easy to lose track of what you’re signed up for. Here’s what worked for me:
✅ Use a Free App:
- Truebill (now Rocket Money) or Mint – Track subscriptions, cancel with a tap.
- Notion or Google Sheets – Create a monthly plan and budget.
🧠 Set Calendar Reminders:
Before the next billing cycle hits, set a reminder to cancel or rotate services.
📌 Print a Family Streaming Tracker:
Hang it on the fridge! Everyone can add shows they want to watch, and you’ll know which platform to keep next month.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Entertainment on Your Terms
You don’t have to sacrifice fun to stay on budget—you just need a system.
With a monthly rotation, strategic bundles, and a few freebies in the mix, our family cut our streaming costs by 50%—and we still have Friday movie nights, binge weekends, and plenty of options for the kids.
Give it a try next month. Your wallet (and your watchlist) will thank you.
