UK Households Overspend by Hundreds on Subscriptions – Here’s How to Reclaim Your Cash
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A new analysis reveals British households are collectively spending a staggering £696 per year on digital subscriptions, with costs continuing to rise. But savvy consumers can significantly reduce these expenses with a few simple adjustments, without sacrificing the entertainment adn services they enjoy.
Digital subscriptions have become ubiquitous,covering everything from streaming services to cloud storage and music platforms. However,this convenience comes at a cost.With inflation impacting household budgets,this escalating cost is proving unsustainable for many,prompting a search for effective cost-cutting strategies. Here’s a breakdown of easy ways to reduce your subscription bills.
Amazon Prime: Unlock Savings Up to £36 Annually
There are multiple avenues to lower the cost of an Amazon Prime membership, depending on your usage patterns. If deliveries are infrequent and your primary interest lies in Prime video, a lesser-known discount is available to all.
An Amazon Prime Video-only plan costs £5.99 per month, a £3 monthly saving compared to the full Amazon Prime package at £8.99 per month – translating to an annual saving of £36. For those who value both deliveries and video access, O2 customers can add Prime to their mobile bill and receive a £2 airtime discount.Students are also eligible for a generous six-month free trial of Prime.
Cloud Storage: Alternatives Can Save You £15.99 a Year
Protecting precious photos through cloud backup is crucial, and while iCloud is popular among iPhone users – starting at 99p a month for 50GB (£11.88 annually) – Google Drive offers 100GB for £1.59 monthly (£19.08 annually). However, many are unaware of readily available free options.
Amazon Prime subscribers automatically receive unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos. Even without a Prime subscription, several free alternatives exist: Google Drive provides 15GB of free storage to all users, while Box (10GB), OneDrive (5GB), Dropbox (2GB), and Amazon Photos (5GB) offer additional free tiers. For dedicated iCloud users, an Apple One family plan – costing £24.95 monthly for up to six people – works out to just £4.16 per person. This plan also includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade, potentially offering further savings if you already subscribe to similar services.
spotify: A Small Adjustment, a £12 annual Benefit
One of the simplest ways to reduce Spotify Premium costs is through a family subscription.A plan supporting six members costs £19.99, compared to £11.99 for an individual plan. Even within existing plans, savings are possible. Spotify now offers “Basic” tiers that remove access to audiobooks, reducing the monthly cost by £1 or £2, depending on your current plan – a potential annual saving of up to £12.
Disney+: get Free Access and More
Disney+ is a popular choice for many households, with a standard annual subscription costing £89.90. However, it’s possible to trim almost £40 off this cost and gain additional perks. uber is currently offering free disney+ for up to a year with an annual Uber One pass,which also provides discounts on rides and takeaway deliveries.
Netflix: Downgrade for a £84 Annual Saving
If you’re a dedicated Netflix user but balk at the £18.99 monthly price tag,consider downgrading to the Standard with adverts plan at £5.99 per month. This represents a substantial saving of £13 per month, or £84 annually. The trade-off is ad breaks and slightly lower video quality, but for many, the savings outweigh these drawbacks.
By implementing these simple switches, consumers could collectively save well over £100 annually.
Bonus: Mobile Bill Savings with airtime
Further savings are possible on your mobile bill using Airtime. This free service provides automatic cashback on eligible purchases, which can then be used to offset your mobile charges. Users have reported receiving up to two months of free service through this method. Simply add your card to the Airtime app, and cashback is automatically applied at participating retailers like Morrisons, eBay, Asos, and Ikea, without affecting other cashback or discounts.
Changes Made and Explanation:
Google Drive Annual Cost Correction: The original text stated Google Drive’s annual cost as £15.99. This was incorrect. It’s £1.59/month
