Subscriptions can feel like a constant drain on your budget, especially as prices continue climbing across streaming services and digital platforms. Recent surveys show that about 20% of Americans now spend over $100 per month on streaming and digital subscriptions, with the average household subscribing to approximately four streaming services. And with streaming services regularly raising the prices for ad-supported and premium tiers, managing subscription costs has become a real challenge for many working Americans.
Luckily, you can regain control over your subscription spending without sacrificing the services you love most, and all it takes is a bit of reflection and planning. With a few smart adjustments, like auditing your subscriptions, choosing value tiers, or using discounts strategically, you can get the services you love without overspending. Here’s how to take back control, one simple move at a time.
1. Audit your current subscriptions
It’s easy to lose track of recurring charges, especially those “set it and forget it” sign-ups from months (or years) ago. An audit helps you regain visibility and decide what’s actually worth keeping.
How to do it:
- Check your bank and card statements for the last 3 months.
- List every subscription in a spreadsheet or notes app.
- Add the price, renewal date, and whether you use it weekly, monthly, or rarely.
- Mark each one as keep, pause, or cancel.
Many financial experts recommend reviewing your subscriptions at least once per quarter. Even a simple audit can reveal duplicate services, forgotten trials, or unused premium tiers that quietly drain your budget.
The consolidation opportunity often provides the biggest savings. For instance, bundling Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ can reduce your combined cost compared to individual subscriptions. Similarly, learning how to stop automatic payments gives you more control over when and how you pay for services.
2. Consider value tiers for subscriptions
Most subscriptions offer multiple pricing tiers, from basic to premium, with surprisingly different price points. The key is choosing the tier that matches the actual way you use the service. If you primarily watch during evenings and weekends, an ad-supported tier may offer substantial savings.
Let's look at current examples:
- Hulu offers its ad-supported standalone plan at $11.99 monthly, while the annual option costs $119.99, which can save you approximately 16% compared to monthly billing. If you also want live TV, bundles range from $89.99 to $99.99 monthly.
- Disney+ offers its ad-supported standalone tier at $11.99 monthly, with the ad-free option at $18.99 monthly or $189.99 annually. The platform's value increases when bundled with other Disney services.
- Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video along with shipping benefits and other perks. Compare the standalone Prime Video cost against a full Prime membership to determine which offers better value for your needs.
Switching to ad-supported tiers typically costs several dollars more per month compared to ad-free options. While ads may seem inconvenient, consider whether the cost savings justify occasional interruptions, especially for background viewing or casual watching.
3. Leverage discounts and promotions
Many people overlook how many subscription discounts are available throughout the year.
But streaming services regularly offer discounted rates to attract new subscribers or win back former customers. Throughout the year, look for:
- Free trials: Platforms like Hulu, Apple TV+, and Paramount+ regularly offer free trials that range from 1–3 months or more. Consider starting your subscription when you actually plan to use it, and set a reminder for the renewal date so you have the option to cancel if you decide it’s not the right fit.
- Seasonal sales: Holidays, back-to-school season, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday often include steep discounts on streaming, gaming, cloud storage, and even subscription boxes. Mark your calendar for these events and be ready to cancel or resubscribe if allowed by the service's terms.
- Student discounts: If you're in school, many streaming platforms offer verified student pricing, typically providing a discounted rate. Hulu, for example, maintains a robust student discount program that significantly reduces monthly costs for eligible subscribers.
- Bundled offers: Instead of maintaining separate subscriptions, look for packages that combine multiple services. The Disney Bundle, combining Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, offers all three services at a lower combined price than individual subscriptions.
4. Pause or downgrade your subscriptions
If there's a subscription you want to keep but can't afford, you don’t have to go straight to canceling. Many streaming platforms offer pausing or downgrading, which stops billing for a set time without fully deleting your account.
When you pause a subscription:
- You don’t lose your watchlist or preferences.
- It’s easier to restart when you’re ready.
- You avoid paying during months when you’re too busy to use it.
Downgrading provides another flexible option. If you're currently on a family plan but find that household members rarely use the service simultaneously, switching to an individual plan can cut costs immediately. Similarly, reducing from 4K to HD streaming may provide savings if you primarily watch on smaller screens.
As you work to save money on subscriptions, you may still find yourself in a situation where the subscriptions are set to renew before payday. EarnIn's Cash Out1 can help bridge timing gaps. Get up to $150/day, with a max of $1,000 between paydays, with no interest, no mandatory fees — just an optional tip-based model.2 With Lightning Speed3, you can get your cash in minutes, starting at $3.99 per transfer. With no interest and no mandatory fees, it provides flexibility to manage subscription timing without missing your favorite shows or risking late fees.
5. Use subscriptions strategically
Instead of treating subscriptions as “always on,” think of them as tools you use when they genuinely add value. Here are a few ways to strategically manage your subscriptions throughout the year:
- Buy only when needed: If you only want a service for one specific show or event, sign up for a single month, then pause or cancel. Some services also offer "season pass" options for specific shows or limited-time deals on short-term subscriptions. These can provide better value than maintaining year-round access if you're primarily interested in specific content.
- Look for one-off deals: Many services offer limited-time or low-cost trial periods. You can use these strategically for peak times like school breaks, holiday viewing, or months when you know you’ll get maximum value.
- Save up to buy annual subscriptions: By automatically setting aside small amounts from each paycheck, you can build funds for discounted annual payments without feeling the pinch of a large one-time expense. Tip Yourself4 provides a practical way to save for annual subscriptions that offer the best value. Tip Yourself4 is a no-cost, FDIC-insured account that lets you automatically or manually save a portion of each paycheck — with no interest and no monthly fees.
Because your money should move with your life
Financial flexibility means making your subscriptions work for your lifestyle, not the other way around. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to managing streaming services and digital subscriptions; what matters is finding the balance that fits your budget and viewing habits.
Small adjustments can lead to meaningful savings over time. Whether you're switching to ad-supported tiers, taking advantage of seasonal promotions, or strategically pausing services, each decision puts more money back in your pocket. Remember that subscription services want to keep you as a customer, so don't hesitate to explore different options or contact customer service about available discounts.
Tools like Tip Yourself4 or Cash Out1 can also help you manage timing, build better habits, and stay flexible as your financial needs change. There’s no one “right” way to handle subscriptions, just the way that works best for you.
The goal isn't to eliminate all of your subscriptions, but instead, it's to ensure each one delivers value that makes up for its cost. By taking control of your subscription spending today, you're making room for the things that truly matter in your financial life. Money at the speed of you means having options when you need them, and that starts with smart subscription management.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Cash Out product is a non‑bank service provided by EarnIn. Certain banking and payment services are provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC, and/or Lead Bank, Member FDIC, as applicable. FDIC insurance applies only to deposits held in insured deposit accounts at an FDIC‑insured bank and protects your deposits in the event of a bank failure, up to at least $250,000 at each FDIC‑insured bank. Learn more at fdic.gov/resources/deposit‑insurance. Additional in‑app services may be provided by third‑party service providers and are subject to their terms and conditions.
1EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out. For additional information about your Daily Max and Pay Period Max, please refer to our FAQ. Service may not be available in all states.
EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. See the Fee Table for details. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
2
Tips go to EarnIn and help us provide tools such as Credit Monitoring for free and keep Lightning Speed fees low. Your service quality and availability aren't affected by whether you tip or not.3
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available to all customers. Actual transfer speeds depend on your bank. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.4
Tip Yourself Account funds and Tip Jars are held with Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC and FDIC insured up to $250,000. Tip Yourself is a 0% Annual Percentage Yield and $0 monthly fee service deposit account. For more information/details visit Evolve Bank & Trust Customer Account Terms.The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here.
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