Do You Have Redudant Movie Subscriptions?

Movie subscriptions can save you money over the theater but the savings evaporate if you sign up for too many of them.
Don’t add a new service unless you simultaneously get rid of another one. Have a conversation with your family about which movie subscription offers the most films and series that everyone in your household wants to see.

In your conversations with your household, take a hard look at which movie services you already have: Are there any that you’re not using? Or is there overlap between them — and if so, can you get rid of any of them?

Got Too Many Movie Subscriptions?

For instance, if you currently subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu , try to narrow it down to just one service that has the most of what you want:

• If you’re also a frequent shopper on Amazon, you might want to keep Amazon Prime because that way you also get free shipping.
• However, if your mobile phone service just so happens to be T-Mobile — or you’re open to switching to that service — then you might be able to get Netflix for free through that service.
• On the other hand, you might opt for Hulu if your priority is getting to watch current television series without commercials.

Choose the Lesser of…

Whittle down your household spending on movies, but choosing the lesser of each of the two things listed below:

• Instead of buying movies, rent them;
• Instead of renting movies from any service that charges late fees — like RedBox — switch to an online rental that automatically returns the movie for you;
• Instead of renting movies, wait for them to come out on a streaming service or premium cable channel;
• Instead of having subscribing to multiple streaming services and premium cable channels, opt for just one that’s got the most of what you want;
• Instead of subscribing to a streaming movie service or premium cable channel, cancel and wait for things to come out on regular cable;
• Instead of subscribing to a premium cable channel, choose a movie streaming service that gives you more choices;
• Instead of subscribing to paid services for movies, look for free yet legal alternatives (it would be supported by advertisements) like Crackle, PopcornFlix, Retrovision, Public Domain Torrents, Vimeo, and YouTube (nonpremium);
• Instead of subscribing to a large array of cable channels when you only watch a few of them, switch to an a-la-carte streaming television service that lets you cherry pick only the channels you watch — like SlingTV, which starts at just $20 a month;
• Instead of getting a standalone movie or television subscription, find an offering that’s part of a bundle with internet access and mobile phone services so you can further cut costs.

Choices

While it’s great to have abundant choices, they only save you money if you’re willing to prune every time you sign up for something new.

Readers, what movie services does your household currently have?

Jackie Cohen

Jackie Cohen is an award winning financial journalist turned turned financial advisor obsessed with climate change risk, data and business. Jackie holds a B.A. Degree from Macalester College and an M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate University.