Netflix announced yesterday that they are increasing their pricing. The move is meant to separate DVDs by mail and streaming customers. For those that want both the price increase amounts to a 60% increase! $7.99/month for 1 DVD at a time (unlimited number), and $7.99/month for unlimited streaming. Social networks and comments poured in from customers who are frustrated about price increases with many saying they will leave the service, and others saying they will reduce their subscriptions.
We use Netflix frequently for both streaming and DVDs, so I’m considering my options at this point. Our kids do love the classic TV shows they can watch on streaming, and we like being able to get TV show DVDs for cable channel shows we can’t watch otherwise, but this may be one expense that we can try to live without. While I was thinking about what we would do I came up with some ways we could do without Netflix. Is it worth nearly $200/year to get 1 DVD at a time and unlimited streaming? We’re still debating, but these 10 tips may help you make up your mind.
10 Ways to Watch Movies and TV for Cheaper than Netflix
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Hulu: Hulu streams a ton of movies and TV shows for free. You have to put up with commercials, but it’s a small tradeoff for free viewing especially since you can watch some shows the day after they air on TV.
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Network Websites: Many networks offer free streaming of some of their lineup or clips from shows so you can catch up online. CBS is one of my favorites since it’s easy to navigate and has a good interface.
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Get an HD antennae: For about $20 you can get an HD antennae* and see crystal clear TV without paying for basic cable or waiting for streaming to become available.
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Library: Libraries offer rentals for free (typically). You’ll find everything from the latest releases to classics and kid’s fare.
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Local store: Yes they do still exist and many are hard hit in the economy. They usually offer great deals on DVD rentals, and may include selections that are more offbeat than Netflix.
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Redbox: For $1/day you can rent the latest releases. The only catch, remembering to return them so you aren’t out late fees.
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Blockbuster Express: Ditto with Blockbuster Express-you’ll get new releases for cheap, just make sure to take them back.
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Borrow, Swap or Trade: Inevitably you’ll buy some DVDs, why not organize a trade with friends or family to borrow each other’s DVDs. You could also set up a DVD swap with anyone from friends to other playgroup moms (you can only watch that same Thomas DVD so many times).
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See it on the big screen: $1 days aren’t uncommon at smaller movie theaters, and watching something classic like The Blob on the big screen can be way more entertaining than watching the latest release on the big screen.
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Go without: I know it’s not ideal, but it’s amazing how much time you free up by not being entertained each night. We’ve gone through periods of not having cable, or any entertainment and it certainly helped make us more productive!
I’m a huge fan of trading DVD’s with friends, Redbox and checking out DVD’s at the library. Having a multi-family DVD swap in your neighborhood can be a way to meet people with like interests as well.
Lisa @ WalletWatcher.com.au
Fortunately, I’ve had the $8 a month streaming only option plan for months now. I use Netflix and Amazon on Demand almost exclusively to service my television/movie watching needs. On occasion, I’ll head over to Clicker to see what I can get for free.
Honestly, I don’t understand what all the ruckus is about. Even with a 60% price hike, Netflix is still the best game in town. Hulu Plus is okay, but their library isn’t nearly as extensive and you still have to watch commercials. I like RedBox, but I’ve had to return DVDs in the rain, and I don’t like it. Cable is outta the question. So, unless you plan on going without or reducing the amount of television you watch, where exactly are all these people who are abandoning the Netflix ship going to take their business?
I just canceled my account after dropping down to online streaming online {b/c we honestly never use the DVDs}, it originally notified me to send my one DVD that I had out for like six months back by the 26th or I was going to be charged for both new account options, so I did. Today I got notified they just shipped out another DVD! I called them and told them I had dropped the DVDs off my account b/c I did NOT want to be double charged the new increase and they said until the 26th it wouldn’t change and they would continue to send me more DVDs, thus causing me to pay for both options if I didn’t manage to get the DVD back ON the 26th. Crazy. So I canceled on the phone.
I JUST got a wii so that I could utilize the streaming better. That’ what we use the majority of the time, so I’ll be dropping the DVD plan and just getting new movies at the redbox.
I think we’re going to be either canceling, or dropping the mailed DVDs, we haven’t decided yet. Probably stopping mailed dvds as we can just rent at one of the 5 redboxes within 1-2 miles of us. We definitely won’t be paying more.
It’s very hard to find a well- stocked red box in our city. And my Netflix is only going from $15 to $20. Still a helluva lot cheaper than cable or satellite. We use hulu as well. If the overall goal is to save money on entertainment, I can’t for the life of me figure out why everyone is jumping off the Netflix bandwagon.
I don’t think that it will have a huge effect because they are offering a lot more services
I currently have the unlimited streaming + 2 DVD’s at a time plan. I have NEVER used the streaming portion of it, so am actually saving $3/mo by going to DVD’s only.
We just decided that we will give up our DVD delivery subscription. It’s not soooo worth it. Also, I should mention FREE movie days during the entire summer at the theater.
Love all your ideas, we do several, but I really like the borrow/trade idea. Maybe you can even have fun with parties, where you each bring two or three to exchange/borrow or even more to give if you don’t need to keep them. I’ve tweeted today about not being happy with the Netflix bait & switch price hike – the same thing that cost Blockbuster our biz. I’ll share!
Ooh good point! I agree, and it’s the reason I don’t return things-I don’t want to drag 4 kids around or take precious alone time to return a DVD. Our library is the same way-makes it more expensive than other options!
You can stream Hulu to your TV or use Apple TV or another system to get movies from the internet onto your big screen.
Smart!
Free trumps all! 😉
I don’t know if they will it seems like it’s a bigger problem with their overall structure that’s causing these changes-curious to see how it plays out.
I agree-watching less TV is another very good option for most of us! Libraries are a great resource but our local library charges for movies and audiobook rental-it can add up fast!
No problem! Would love to hear what you decide. One thing that I think makes this tough is that so many of us are dependent on it!
You might consider dropping it just to see how it goes. Be aware that the HD antenna works for some people but not others. We really needed to get one for our roof which would have cost as much in labor and expense as our cable does.
You might consider dropping it just to see how it goes. Be aware that the HD antenna works for some people but not others. We really needed to get one for our roof which would have cost as much in labor and expense as our cable does.
Whitney considering it’s unlimited it’s a really good bargain if you use it a lot. We use it a ton too for the same reason-old TV shows are a hit in our house with the kids.
Whitney considering it’s unlimited it’s a really good bargain if you use it a lot. We use it a ton too for the same reason-old TV shows are a hit in our house with the kids.
Great point about how not having a service makes you less likely to sit around and veg.
Great point about how not having a service makes you less likely to sit around and veg.
No one has hit on the real sell factor of Netflix yet, at least for me. I never have to leave my house! We have a new DVD player, so we stream right to the TV. Redbox and Blockbuster Express are ok, but I really do not feel like dragging 2 little kids in and out of the car for a movie. And, knowing me, the $1 movie would end up costing me $5 because my time to watch movies is so unpredictable. Also, our library has a very limited selection and they are not free. I really do not enjoy watching via computer. Can you stream Hulu or another service to your TV? Ughhhh, I don’t know what I’ll do yet. I really love Netflix.
Switched to streaming only from netflix. We will get our dvds from the library, red box, safeway and Stadium Video.
Ugh.. We got rid of Netflix when we changed cable providers but we were just talking about going back because we can stream it on our Droid phones. The only way this would be worth it is if they are going to have the same movies available on both streaming and DVD. That was the great thing about having both was you could watch the older tv shows and such streaming and then get a new release in the mail.
We utilize our local library a lot for movies. Sometimes we have to wait a bit before the movie is available but it’s free!
This is such great advice Kelly. There are so many other choices from Netflix including just watching less TV. My husband and I (In our 60s) use the library for audio books for road trips. We love audio books on road trips but they are expensive and the library has a great selection. Libraries are an incredible resource that are underused today.
Marion
http://grandmachronicles.com
I am a Netflix user and I’m not sure yet whether or not we’ll be keeping our plan or walking away. I’ll admit to having become dependent on it, but you’ve given me lots of great alternatives. Thanks!
We’ve been without cable for over a year and when we canceled it we signed up for netflix. I am very disappointed to hear that they are raising the prices. I’m going to have to talk with my husband because while $200 a yr is considerably less then paying for cable it’s still more then I/we wanted to spend.
We also rent from redbox occasionally and we use plex through our apple server and hulu. Will have to look into that hd antenna.
We’ve been without cable for over a year and when we canceled it we signed up for netflix. I am very disappointed to hear that they are raising the prices. I’m going to have to talk with my husband because while $200 a yr is considerably less then paying for cable it’s still more then I/we wanted to spend.
We also rent from redbox occasionally and we use plex through our apple server and hulu. Will have to look into that hd antenna.
So annoying. We use Netflix a TON for streaming. My kids are constantly watching it on the iPad (latest obsession is with the Pink Panther) but we don’t do the movies very often. We have the 1 at a time and MAYBE watch one a month. I’ll probably cancel that aspect of it but I have to say I’m kind of annoyed to be paying $8 a month just for streaming video
So annoying. We use Netflix a TON for streaming. My kids are constantly watching it on the iPad (latest obsession is with the Pink Panther) but we don’t do the movies very often. We have the 1 at a time and MAYBE watch one a month. I’ll probably cancel that aspect of it but I have to say I’m kind of annoyed to be paying $8 a month just for streaming video
I got rid of my cable a few months ago, and last month I decided to end my relationship with Netflix (due to the lack of streaming movie selection and poor HD selection). I couldn’t be happier, and it has nothing to do with money. I find myself less inclined to lay on the couch for hours at a time, and have more time to do things like write, work out, cook and more. Based on past I wouldn’t rely too much on any method that involves physical discs, as too many times I have received ones that were scratched and just made for a not-so-enjoyable time, especially with the automated kiosks, where the maintenance is done rather sporadically.