College students already have their budget stretched thin with late-night coffee runs, tuition, and textbooks without shelling out a small fortune for streaming subscriptions. On average, these subscriptions are eating up $55 or more monthly for many students; it’s time to stream smarter. By sharing subscriptions with roommates or friends, students can cut entertainment costs in half by using a family plan or alternative built-in share features.
Using a family plan is the ultimate hack for cutting streaming costs with major platforms, like Disney+, Netflix, HBO Max, and ESPN, since they offer bundles or sharing options that allow multiple profiles under one account. For Example, Disney+ standard bundle will be increasing this October from 10.99 to $19.99. However, split that cost among your four roommates, and everyone's wallet becomes a bit happier. Dropping the cost of $20 a month to only $5, which means you save $180 over a year.
Even without roommates, you can save. Netflix’s “extra member” feature, for instance, lets you join someone’s standard plan for $6.99 monthly, giving you a separate account and password. Streaming platforms won't advertise these deals, but most still offer family plans, student discounts, and sharing options. You just have to be willing to search them out.
Lastly, set the ground rules for your group streaming upfront. Decide how everyone will pay their share, whether cash, Zelle, or Venmo, and set a backup plan in case someone misses a payment. Additionally, respect content preferences and stay on your profile; no one wants their recommendations ruined by their roommates' late-night rom-com spree. All in all, by using these tips and workarounds, students get all the benefits of saving money without any of the drawbacks of missing their favorite shows or movies.
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