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March 25, 2026

How to Stream for Less

Save money and still watch shows you like with these hacks.

Written by Valeria Dulava
How to Stream for Less

At TextNow we truly believe that you shouldn’t let a tight budget stand in the way of the joys of life — like streaming entertainment, gaming, or even your phone service! 

Let’s start with our favorite hacks that will help you save money on streaming.  

1. Rotate subscriptions  

We take budget optimization and organization seriously, having more recently deep dived into how you can manage your subscriptions to save money. One tip that we live by is rotating your subscriptions rather than hoarding them.  

Don’t pay for three or four streaming services just for the privilege of having everything available at all times, when in reality, you only actually watch 5% of it. Just like how you don’t have to pay for unlimited data if it’s not being used, you don’t have to pay for a streaming service you’re not actively using. Keep one streaming service on at a time to take advantage of a new season or new series as it comes out, cancel when you’re done, and re-subscribe to the streaming service of your choice as a new favorite show or movie drops. It may be more cumbersome, but it will start making a real difference on your monthly budget.  

TextNow Tip: If you have kids that re-watch their favorites over and over again every morning, you may be able to find those episodes or clips for free on YouTube. 

2. Free trials are your friends  

Nearly every streaming service offers a free trial, and many reset them after a few months. You can enjoy a whole month for free and cancel before the billing cycle starts. If you didn't know, you can usually find free trials on TextNow Perks, our one-stop-shop for discounts, rewards, and even free stuff! The holiday months (November, December) are a great time to take advantage of, as you can have readily available shows and movies for the whole family without adding on another expense during an already expensive time.  

TextNow Tip: You didn't hear it from us, but ... you can sign up for the same free trial multiple times by rotating sign-up email addresses with a partner, roommate, friend, or family member. Enough to keep you streaming for free for the rest of the year!  

3. Go annual if you can  

If having at least one streaming service available at all times is a non-negotiable in your household, then opt for the annual fee rather than the monthly. While it is a bigger investment up front, it does end up being cheaper in the long run.  

TextNow Tip: Set aside a “subscription sinking fund” to pay for the annual bill from cashback credit cards, cashback apps, or other credit card rewards. You can also look into services that pay you out for completing surveys or playing games to add to that fund. You can find those offers on TextNow Perks!  

4. Embrace free streaming 

For when you just need some background noise or to binge comfort shows, don’t be shy to take advantage of free streaming services/apps like Tubi, Pluto TV, Freevee, and Crackle. If you can pay for Netflix with ads, why not watch the same ads without paying for the service...? It’s a no brainer.  

TextNow Tip: Sound familiar? It's how TextNow is able to give away its phone service – with nationwide talk & text, plus some data for select apps – for free!

5. Stack up the gift cards 

You can find (especially around the holidays or Black Friday) streaming gift cards at a discount or with bonus rewards. Snatch those up, stack them with promotions, and enjoy the savings!  

 Streaming doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Think of it like grocery shopping—don’t buy everything at once, chase sales, and use what you’ve already got. With a little strategy, you can keep your watchlist fresh without your bank account going stale. 

Got questions or comments? Send us a note at [email protected]!