Latinas know how to be careful with our money. Many of us grew up in humble circumstances, and we’re stuck dealing with massive pay gaps as adults. But prices for groceries, monthly bills, gas, and even streaming services have increased in recent years. That being said, you can enjoy cozy nights in, binge-watching alone after a stressful week or catching a film with the fam – without it being a financial burden. Here are some ways to save on subscriptions, stream in a budget, and even access free movies, films, and music.
When the Stream Budget Has Some Wiggle Room
If you can, consider switching to an annual plan if your favorite streaming service offers it. You’ll pay less overall and know that the bill is taken care of. To prevent surprise charges the following year, add the next charge to a calendar or schedule a reminder on your phone. Consider it your annual audit so you can unsubscribe if you’re not watching that platform anymore.
Sure, Netflix, Disney+, and HBO are the most popular, with lots of well-loved series and exclusive films. But, if you love independent films, classics, or documentaries, they may not be a good fit for you.
Services like Curiosity Stream, Starz, PBS Passport, Criterion Collection, and Sundance Now carry more niche films and might be cheaper. If mainstream TV isn’t your thing to begin with, save by switching to a streaming service you know you’ll watch.
Bundles might also be worth it for you. After all, most of us won’t find everything our families and we want to watch in just one service. Disney Plus with Hulu is a popular combo, but it’s not the only one with more services grouping up and offering add-ons. For example, Hulu allows you to look through their catalog for add-ons, and so does Amazon Prime Video. Once you do the math, it might make sense to bundle your subscriptions this way. Likewise, if you’re an Apple TV+ girlie, you can bundle Apple Music and other Apple services with the Apple One plan.
Students can also get discounts so check with your streaming service to see if you can save.
Some platforms offer Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday discounts. Waiting for these sales to get a reduced price is definitely worth it.
Finally, check your cell phone or internet plan. You might be eligible for a complimentary trial or reduced rates. Companies such as Xfinity and T-Mobile offer discounts or even include streaming service subscriptions with certain plans.
I Need FREE, Not Cheap
For folks who need even more of a financial break, free services like Pluto TV and Tubi have a ton of films and TV shows that’ll you and your family can stream on a budget.
YouTube also has a Movies and TV channel with ads. Some TV shows, like HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver post their full episodes on the platform. And Comedy Central occasionally posts entire episodes of its shows on its YouTube channel too. With a little searching, you may find that there are already live – and legal – episodes of your favorites up there as well.
YouTube is also a great place to access music, even without a Premium subscription. Plenty of artists post playlists, videos, and live performances. Plus, NPR’s Tiny Music series is available there for free (with a few ads thrown in). And remember, there are still plenty of free versions of music streaming services. The ads can be inconvenient, but let’s face it, so can a hefty bill.
And don’t underestimate the power of your library card! In many branches across the country, you get access to streaming such as Kanopy, which includes films and TV in multiple genres. Library apps like Libby or Hoopla give you access not just to ebooks and audiobooks, but, depending on your local branch free movies and music too. Plus, there are still libraries that carry Blu-Ray, DVDs, and CDs so you won’t have to spend money just to watch those titles. Though availability varies, some of these free options also include plenty of entertainment en español.
