How to save on subscriptions: Netflix, Spotify, YouTube Premium and more

We all know that life at a boarding school can be a whirlwind of classes, sports, hostel food and those rare moments of downtime when you just want to chill and watch your favorite show or vibe to some good music. But there is a catch: subscriptions are expensive. Whether it is Netflix for weekend movie marathons or Spotify for music or YouTube Premium to ditch the advertisements, these services can quietly eat away at our limited pocket money.

This blog is here to help you think smart and spend smart. We will together go over the most popular entertainment subscriptions among students and uncover hacks, legit loopholes, student discounts and group plans that can help you save money.

So, what are the reasons behind why subscriptions drain the wallet? Subscriptions are sneaky and catch you from the back. ₹149/month for YouTube Premium does not sound like much. Add ₹199 for Spotify, another ₹649 for Netflix, and soon you are spending over ₹1000/month. That is ₹12,000 in a year which is almost the cost of a budget smartphone or even a year’s worth of textbooks!

And for students in boarding schools, with limited time and income, that is clearly a lot. That is the reason why you need a plan.

1: Share and save with family or friends (legally!)

Netflix has a family plan. Netflix's Premium plan in India costs ₹649/month and supports 4 simultaneous streams. The trick is to pool in with 3 other trusted friends (₹649 ÷ 4 = ~₹162/month). Everyone gets full HD and separate profiles. However, a word of caution: Only share with people you trust. Netflix has been cracking down on password sharing across households, but if you are in the same boarding school Wi-Fi or dorm network, you are usually safe.

Spotify has a premium family plan which is ₹179/month for up to 6 people. Everyone gets their own account; however, all users must live at the same address. So, if you and your dorm mates pitch in and share a “common address” (like your boarding school), it usually works. YouTube Premium has a family plan of ₹189/month for up to 5 users, which means per person is just ₹38! No advertisements, background play (great for music) and YouTube Music.

2: Student discount plans. Use your school email

Many platforms offer special discounts for students. If your school gives you an official email ID ending in .edu or anything school-related, it can open doors for this purpose. Let us see how.

Spotify student has a price of just ₹59/month (instead of ₹119). This includes Spotify Premium + Showtime (USA only, but other perks may apply). You have to sign up via Student Spotify page, verify your student status and enjoy half-price music. Amazon prime student offers a 6-month trial and 50% off thereafter. There is free delivery (for books/snacks from home), Prime Video, Prime Music and more. Mostly this is for college students, but if you have an .edu email or can prove you are in school, try your luck. LinkedIn learning and Microsoft office have student licences that some schools have. Ask your school administrator to check if you are eligible.

3: Choose the right plan so that you do not pay for features you do not use

I know that it is tempting to go for the Premium Ultra-HD plan, but be honest , do you really need 4K on your phone? Let me explain this with an example. Netflix has three main plans in India:

• Mobile Plan (₹149/month): One device, SD quality. Perfect for solo viewers with phones.

• Basic Plan (₹199/month): One screen, better quality.

• Standard and Premium (₹499/₹649): Multiple screens.

But think and tell. If you watch Netflix alone, don’t you feel that Mobile Plan is more than enough?

The same applies to other platforms. Check if you need background play on YouTube? Do you use Spotify offline? Are you watching on mobile or TV?

4: Use annual subscriptions when possible

It might feel like a big amount upfront, but annual subscriptions almost always work out cheaper. Let’s see with the help of some examples. YouTube Premium is priced at ₹129/month if billed annually (vs ₹139/month standard). Amazon Prime is priced at ₹1499/year = ~₹125/month vs ₹299/month. So if your parents are willing to pay in one go or you have saved enough, consider the yearly route.

5: Try free trials. But do set reminders!

Most platforms offer free trials for new users. Spotify is free for 1 month. Apple Music, YouTube Premium and Amazon Prime too. But always remember to set a reminder on your phone 1-2 days before the trial ends to cancel if you are not continuing. You can even rotate between services. Try Spotify for a month, then switch to Apple Music the next month. Pick what you love best!

6: Explore free alternatives

Sometimes, the best subscription is no subscription. There are great free services out there too. JioSaavn, Gaana, YouTube Music have free versions. There are advertisements but they are manageable. For streaming, Hotstar (Free TV & news), MX Player, Sony Liv (limited content) are good options. Your school might even have a shared DTH subscription. For free audiobooks and learning, you can choose from LibriVox that give free audiobooks, Coursera/edX for free courses, Khan academy which is great for school help.

7: Try to bundle deals through phone plus streaming

Sometimes, your mobile plan gives you free streaming subscriptions. Check with your parents or school. Airtel/Vi/Jio plans might include free Amazon Prime Video or free Disney+ Hotstar or free ZEE5 or free Wynk Music. All you may need is the right recharge plan!

8: Use UPI cashback, offers and coupons

Platforms like Paytm, PhonePe or Google Pay often have subscription cashbacks or offers. Always remember to check before you pay. Also, look at student card discounts if you have a debit card or visit coupon sites like GrabOn, CouponDunia or CashKaro. Even saving ₹20 here and there adds up to a good amount!

9: Share screens instead of subscriptions

This one is old-school. If a friend already has Netflix or Spotify, ask if they can stream an episode for you while screen-sharing on Discord or Zoom. You can enjoy the content without logging in. It is not a long-term solution but works when you are broke and desperate for that last episode of Stranger Things.

10: Know when to cancel

This one is very important. If you are swamped with exams or travelling home for break, consider cancelling or pausing your subscription. Ask yourself every month if you actually use this? Or if you are getting value for money? Or if you can do without it for now? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then please cancel it. You can always come back later.

To conclude, you must remember that saving on subscriptions does not mean depriving oneself. It simply means making intentional choices. Boarding school teaches you independence. Let it also teach you financial responsibility. Understanding what you are paying for, who you can share with, and how to use student perks is a major life skill. Think of every ₹100 saved as a future pizza, movie night or even savings for that backpack you have been eyeing.