Today’s Financial Message Just for you, {{ first name | friend}}
Remember when we had one cable bill and complained constantly? Now we're paying for seven streaming services and forgot half of them exist. That "free trial" for one show? It's been auto-renewing for eight months at $15.99.
Add it up: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Prime Video. You're dropping $80-100 monthly on stuff you're not watching..… Continue Reading
Do you long for the simplicity of Friday night Blockbuster trips? Netflix may supply endless bingeing opportunities, but not easy-access to licorice and popcorn.
No surprise here - Gen X is also the generation that still bridges the gap between old school and new media, with a higher adoption rate of streaming services of 79% vs. Boomers at about two-thirds. (Marketing Architects)
How Much Are You Paying for Your Streaming Services?
Recently, this frugal Gen Xer took to her bank statement to check her subscriptions costs because…even though I will happily pay too much for a bag of kettle-cooked chips when I have a craving - I really, really hate wasting money.
While I did remember to cancel my Sportsnet service after the Blue Jays lost the World Series (Let’s take a moment.), I was still paying for Netflix, despite my current love affair with my local library’s excellent collection of DVDs. Plus, I’m all caught up on documentaries for now and Love is Blind is…well, poo and not worth waiting for any more. (Change my mind 🤷.)
All of this is to say - big whoop, I cancelled Netflix and save $19 a month. Sure, but its more of a broader mindset/financial health kind of thing, and I am among that 55% of Gen Xers who is on top of what I subscribe to. (I also live alone, so it’s much easier for me - no judgment if you are not.)
Streaming Services Challenge: The 10-Step Smart Apps Audit to Get the Best Bang for Your Buck
Like I said, no judgment if you are not on top of how much you’re spending every month. On average, a US household will pay between $61-65 per month on streaming services, and that’s not counting the 41% of American Gen Xers still subscribed to cable TV. (Statista)
The average amount paid for a monthly cable or satellite television bundle was $187.99 in Q1 2025. (JD Power)
That all adds up in a hurry, and the more people and different tastes you have in your household can increase those numbers dramatically.
So we put together a helpful little exercise for you to try out - a simple challenge to keep all of this in check, and potentially put some bucks back into your digital wallet.
Step 1: Set Your Audit Timeframe: 7–14 Days
Track every show or movie watched, every family member's platform usage, hours spent on each service, and which devices are used.
Step 2: List All Your Subscriptions
Write down everything: Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Peacock, sports packages like Sportsnet+ or ESPN+, add-on channels like Paramount+ or AMC+, cable or IPTV subscriptions, and free trials converting to paid soon.
Step 3: Calculate Your Actual Monthly Total
Add it up honestly. Compare "what I thought I was paying" against "what I actually pay."
Step 4: Analyze Your Viewing Patterns
Sort them into High-Value Services (keep), Medium-Value Services (rotate), Low-Value or Zero-Use Services (cancel)
Step 5: Explore Bundles & Smart Alternatives
Disney Bundle? Carrier Perks? Amazon Prime Add-Ons?
Step 6. Use a Rotating Subscription Strategy
Stop paying for everything simultaneously.
Read the whole article for all 10 Steps and more helpful details and suggestions…
More good stuff to challenge your spending habits and save some cash for stuff you REALLY care about…
Energy vampires live in your house.
“I Have a Perfectly Balanced Streaming System, But I Want More Household Saving Tips.” Nice work! How’s the back of your fridge looking?
“You’ll have to pry my morning coffee out of my cold, dead hands.”
“I Don’t Have Time to Do a Full Overhaul of My Finances, But I Want to Save More.” Skip your morning coffee…just kidding, no one wants that. Skip an Uber trip once a week and go from there.
“How dare you judge my junk drawer!”
“How is it Possible I Have 16 Pairs of Scissors in My House?” Unless you’re running a sewing team in your basement, you probably need to organize a bit. Or a lot.
“Them Bones” is still one of my fave go-to karaoke songs.
Just for fun!
Roman Numeral Trivia
How it works: You’ll be given a clue to a person’s name whose initials make up a roman numeral, that can be translated to a regular number.
Eg. Worked alongside Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting
Answer - 1,500 - MD - Matt Damon
The actor who said “Fly You Fools!”
Asthmatic villain from Star Wars
Employs the Crazy 88 in Kill Bill
Starred in both 28 Days Later and Oppenheimer
Is endlessly memed about “family”
What did you think of today's newsletter?
Answer:
999 - IM - Ian McKellen
505 - DV - Darth Vader
100 - LL - Lucy Liu
900 - CM - Cillian Murphy
495 - VD - Vin Diesel