Hold up - checked my streaming costs vs library card and wow

I just sat down and added up all my streaming subscriptions from last year. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify, that came to over $800 for me alone. Then I compared that to my local library card which costs zero dollars. I signed up for the library's free app and I've been borrowing audiobooks and movies for 3 months now. The selection is actually better than I thought for new releases. Saved about $200 already and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. Has anyone else switched from paid services to the library and seen a big difference?

3 comments

3 Comments

hall.joel1mo ago

Huh, I'm not sure I'd go that far. $800 a year for streaming is a lot but most people probably aren't paying that much unless they're signed up for every service at once. And the library is great for some things but it's not a perfect replacement. New releases on the library apps often have long wait lists or limited copies. Plus you can't always download stuff for offline use easily. I still like my streaming services for convenience and original shows the library will never have. I think it depends on what you watch and how patient you are.

luna_wright1mo ago

Exactly. The library wait lists for new releases can be brutal, sometimes weeks or months. And yeah @hall.joel, the offline thing is a pain too, the apps don't always let you download stuff easily for a long trip. I think the real trick is just rotating your subscriptions, cancel and re-up when a show you actually want drops. That way you're not paying $800, more like $200 a year if you're smart about it.

wesleyb201mo ago

Yeah for sure... that rotation trick is smart but honestly I get why people just keep paying, it's a hassle to keep track of everything. @hall.joel you're right that the library isn't a perfect fix either, especially when you're stuck waiting months for a new release.