How to Save Money on These Home Entertainment Services

It’s easy to get comfortable with your service plans and never take the time to review your actual needs. Chances are, you already have the internet & some type of cable TV service at home. When was the last time you checked those services to see if they matched your needs? Plans and prices change all the time, and by taking a few simple steps, you can quickly identify money-saving opportunities. 

Here are the two common home entertainment services to review so you can start saving money each month:

1. Review the Speed of Your Internet Plan

Are you on the right plan?

Would you notice if you reduced the speed for a lower price per month?  

You may be surprised at what speed you truly need to power all of your devices.

And – if you don’t live with your parents, please look at their bill for them to see what plan they’re set up with too. They may not be familiar with internet speed requirements for their devices.

That’s exactly what happened to my parents. I was talking to them about ways I had cut our expenses & I mentioned we had cut out traditional cable & reduced our internet speed.

So, my dad got curious & asked me to review his bill to see if he had the right speed. I’m so glad I looked at his bill for him!

My parents are in their late 70’s & have no idea what streaming content is. They have 2 cellphones and a laptop — that’s it.  

The internet company had set them up with the fastest, top-of-the-line, blazing internet speed that is meant to cover 12 devices at once. 

They downgraded to the plan that covers up to 5 devices at once, and- they’re saving over $100 a month!

We have Xfinity, and on their site, they have a breakdown of how many devices are covered by certain speeds.  Your provider most likely has the same info on their site.

You can also visit highspeedinternet.com and get a recommended speed after it asks you questions about your home internet usage.

For example, it asks you how many devices are connected to the internet in your home (don’t forget about smart doorbell cameras & smart thermostats) and what you use them for (video chat or internet phone calls). 

Make sure you take all devices into consideration that may utilize the internet: 

• Computer, laptop, tablet
• Cell phones
• Smart thermostats 
• Alexa or home assistant
• Smart doorbell
• Security cameras

To find out more about the data usage of these smart devices, Viasat breaks it down for you by device type.

2. Swap Cable TV for Free Streaming Options

There are so many streaming options available right now, but they come with a price. It’s time to consider using some of the truly awesome FREE streaming TV options out there. They’re free because of commercial breaks, so if you’re looking to save money, this is the way to go. It may take some getting used to, but with all the content you’re getting free of charge — it’s worth it. 

Pluto TV

Pluto TV is a 100% free streaming service that offers live and on-demand content. Its format is channels categorized by content. Pluto has a vast library of live and on-demand movies and tv shows. You can watch from your computer, device, or Smart TV. 

Whether you’re watching on-demand or live, all options have commercials. But remember, you’re paying $0, so use the commercial breaks to run to the kitchen or do some squats or pushups.

Like most cable providers, they offer the ability to set channels as favorites. That way, you can skim through just what you want to see because, seriously — they have hundreds of options to scroll through. 

With their live options, it’s listed as channels by topic. For example, instead of A&E or CBS, it will have Forensic Files, COPS, Bob Ross, 80s Movies, and FailArmy. They also offer Spanish content and Kid-friendly entertainment.

Pluto’s live TV guide is formatted by content categories, so the content will go from crime to game shows to reality tv, to seasonal content, etc. 

You can watch Pluto TV on your Smart TV, computer, phone, or handheld device. It works with Apple TV, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, and the following Smart TVs: Vizio, Samsung, Roku, and Sony.  

freevee

Another more recent streaming option is freevee (formerly IMDB TV) , which is owned by Amazon. 

Like Pluto TV, it’s 100% free and ad-supported. Although its library isn’t as enormous as Pluto TV, it has a more-than-generous and diverse amount of content to watch, both live and on-demand. 

Promotionally-Priced Hulu

Finally, look for Hulu price promotions. Several times a year, they offer pricing specials of around $2-$3 a month for one year. Normally, the plan with ads is $7.99 a month, so that’s quite a significant discount. It has commercials, of course, but still, that’s a great price.

Hulu has tons of great shows available the next day, so there is no major delay or risk of spoilers. They also have their own original content. Usually, the pricing promos are around Halloween or Black Friday. Plus, if you’re a college student, Hulu offers a student discount of $1.99 a month with ads. You have to meet certain qualifications, such as an accredited college in the US. 

You don’t have anything to lose by reviewing your options. Being complacent with what service you have can cost you over time. Make it a point each year to review all of your services, just like you do with your car insurance (right?) 

For more money-saving ideas, you may enjoy 8 tips to help your budget & your wallet.

If you took steps to reduce your cable or internet bill after reading this article- we would love for you to share how you were able to save money so that others can benefit as well!