Love watching courtTV and other true crime shows? Why not get paid for your entertainment?
Streaming costs inching up? Cheapskate secrets you need to know
The top-tier Netflix plan is now a jaw-dropping $22.99 a month. I remember being shocked when it hit $19.99, and here we are again. And Netflix isn’t alone; Disney+ and Hulu have raised their prices, and you can bet every other streaming service will soon follow suit.
It’s the perfect time to take a step back and really examine what you’re paying for. Here are tips to help you trim down those monthly charges.
Audit your subscriptions
Streaming services thrive on autopilot subscriptions — you know, those monthly charges you barely notice till they all add up. My golden rule? If I’m actively watching a show, I keep the service, and if I’m not, I’ll cancel and only resubscribe when there’s something new I want to watch.
Set a reminder a few days on your calendar before each subscription payment to review whether you still need the service. This simple habit can save you from unexpected charges.
Canceling on mobile?
Streaming companies make canceling tricky. They know most of us are too busy or frustrated to follow through. The process can be especially confusing if you’re using a smartphone, so cancel from a desktop or laptop computer, where it’s much easier to navigate.
Don’t miss out on freebies
You might already have access to free movies and TV shows and not even know it! For example:
- Max (formerly HBO Max): Included with some AT&T phone and internet plans.
- Apple TV+: Free for three months with the purchase of a new Apple device or for T‑Mobile customers with specific plans.
- Paramount+: Some Walmart+ members get a free Paramount+ subscription included with their membership.
- Peacock: Free access to limited content for Comcast Xfinity internet and TV customers.
- Spotify Premium with Hulu: If you’re a Spotify Premium student subscriber, you get Hulu (ad-supported) and Showtime included.
- T-Mobile: Free Netflix with certain plans.
- Verizon: Offers the Disney+ bundle (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+) free with some unlimited plans.
- Amex Platinum: Includes monthly statement credits for services like Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ as part of its Entertainment Credit (check the terms!).
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Offers subscription credits for select services like DoorDash, which sometimes bundles free streaming perks.
- Capital One Rewards: Occasionally offers free trials for streaming platforms via their rewards marketplace.
It’s worth checking if your cellphone provider, credit card company or internet provider includes streaming perks. I bet they do!
There are also great free streaming services, like Pluto TV, Tubi and Crackle, each offering a surprising variety of shows and movies without a subscription. Here are seven ways to stream TV and movies for free.
“Hey Kim, what streaming device should I get?”
I get this question often enough that I thought I’d share it with you here. The answer, of course, is it depends. I’ll walk you through a few of the best options out there — and who they’re best for.
Your TV might be smart enough that all the apps you need are built-in. That’s not true for a lot of them, and honestly, streaming boxes and sticks are easier to use.
Phone screen out of control? Group your apps by category. Here’s an option: Set your home screen to include only personal and family apps. Swipe to the next screen for all your work apps. On another screen, add all your entertainment apps.
New travel term to know: Some men are bragging about “rawdogging” flights. This means they forgo all forms of entertainment while in the air. For some, it’s a form of meditation; for others, it’s a challenge to deprive themselves of all creature comforts, including free snacks. Movies and champagne for me, please.
23 years ago
Enron went bankrupt. After more than two decades, they’re making a comeback. This week, “Enron” launched a rebranded website and press release about their return, now featuring crypto. Unbelievable, right? Yup. It’s a parody site for “entertainment purposes only.” Talk about an En-runaround!
Bored? Download one of these 8 great iPad games
Your iPad can be the ultimate entertainment machine. Not only can you use it to stream your favorite movies and TV shows, but you can also play some of today’s hottest games.
Don’t know where to begin? We have you covered. Here are eight of today’s best games that you can download and play on your iPad.
Streaming services from most to least expensive
Wouldn’t it be great if all your favorite shows and movies were on the same platform? Sadly, all the good stuff is scattered across different apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max. If you’re juggling multiple subscriptions, these streaming services can burn a massive hole in your wallet.
Chuck E. Cheese says 'goodbye' to ...
The family pizza joint is getting rid of the funniest (and creepiest) birthday party entertainment of the ’90s.
$12,000
To take a four-day class at Harvard. The course, Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports, is open to non-Harvard students and covers the economics of modern-day brands (paywall link) from Nike to MrBeast. Alumni include celebrities looking to build an empire, like Channing Tatum and LL Cool J. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.
The “E” stands for entertainment: Chuck E. Cheese is saying goodbye to its iconic animatronic robot band at over 400 locations nationwide. You’ll have until the end of 2024 to catch their cute-slash-terrifying musical performances. Get ready for more screens, digital dance floors and trampoline gyms.
Do you prefer YouTube or Netflix? It might come down to how old you are
It’s no secret that different age groups stream different content. But where’s the line in the sand that determines whether someone gravitates toward Netflix or YouTube?
According to new survey data presented by Publisher’s Clearing House, the magic number is 45.
Tidy your tech: Best cable organization and cord management options
Everyone seems to own laptops, smartphones, desktop computers, Internet of Things devices and so much more. It’s great to be connected, but what isn’t great is all those tangled cords.
Thankfully, there are tons of organizing tools to choose from. Whether you want to hide those cables swinging from your TV or move the wires out of your way on your computer desk, we’ve got the right organizers for you.
This simple trick can save you hundreds of dollars a year on streaming
When cord-cutting was all the rage, the driving force was to save money. Why pay hundreds of dollars monthly for cable when you can get great shows and movies through streaming services?
The problem is the savings didn’t last long. Streaming services like DirecTV Stream, Netflix and Hulu always increase prices. Tap or click here for details on some recent price hikes.
Looking for something to watch? This mistake puts your computer at risk
There are plenty of streaming services where you can get your fill of entertainment. With rising costs, you might be looking for ways to save money. Tap or click for a simple trick to save hundreds of dollars.
Services such as Netflix let you download content to your computer (depending on your subscription level), so you can watch it later. Similarly, the music service Spotify allows you to download songs and albums.
Get the most out of Android TV's new features and apps
Streaming services never fail to yield something extraordinary to watch. Tons of apps make entertainment simple. You just need to decide which services you want to subscribe to. Tap or click here for the streaming services that give you the most bang for your buck.
Records for 21 million VPN users leaked online - Check your data now
Almost everything you search for, sign in to, or look at is trackable when you browse the internet. Your online activity and location logs are most likely kept somewhere, at least by your ISP. Your ISP sees everything you do online. Tap or click here to stop it.
The best online solitaire games you can play for free
When computers made their way into every household, we all fell in love with the game solitaire for moments when boredom struck and we needed something to pass the time.
Technology has evolved since then, and there are much better options out there now than the edition that comes preloaded into your PC. Looking to play other games online? Tap or click here for 10 sites that let you play games online for free.
A deadly online challenge is making a comeback - How to keep your kids safe
Social media originated to help us stay in touch with friends and family, but for better or worse has evolved into a source of news, entertainment, political discussion, marketing and more. With billions of users spread across just the top three social platforms, there’s a built-in audience ready to make virtually anything go viral.
Review: Philips Hue Bloom table lamp
Lighting technology has certainly changed over the years — and no, I don’t mean the evolution of incandescent bulbs to curly fluorescent options or even LED. Today, it’s all about smart lighting and it goes way beyond bulbs, switches and plugs.