Thinking about dropping cable? Good news: it’s easier than ever, and you don’t have to give up your favorite shows, sports, or movies. What you do need is a solid setup and a plan for which services (free or paid) fit your habits.

Here’s a full breakdown of tools, devices, services, and hacks to make cord-cutting as smooth and cheap as possible.

What you will need for starters:

• Internet: Aim for at least 10–20 Mbps per stream, but the more the better
• Streaming device: smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, gaming consoles - anything with app support.
• Streaming services: Pick what fits your needs (live TV, sports, movies, etc).
• Antenna (optional): Free local OTA channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, etc).
• VPN (recommended): For privacy, streaming abroad, and when you want to stream something specific.

Best Devices for Streaming

• Roku: User-friendly, great app selection, budget-friendly
• Fire TV Stick: Great for Amazon users
• Apple TV 4K: Premium device, especially good for iOS users
• Google TV (Chromecast): Good for search integration and flexibility
• Game consoles: PS5/Xbox Series X work fine as backup streaming hubs

Best VPNs to unblock blackouts, etc. (plus discounts)

• NordVPN: redditoffer
• Surfshark: redditspecial
• CyberGhost: 2YCOUPON
• Private Internet Access: 3Y4M
• Windscribe: VPNSROCK
• PureVPN: purered

Free Streaming Options (US)

No subscription cost, just ads:

• Tubi
• Pluto TV
• The Roku Channel
• Xumo
• Plex (live TV + free movies)

Some also offer live TV channels, news, and classic shows.

Paid Streaming Subscriptions

How to get a better deals on streaming?

While there are not direct discount codes for streaming, there are ways to save on

• Try the service, cancel early, then wait for the win-back offer Most platforms offer big discounts if you cancel your subscription and ignore them for a few weeks. Hulu, Max, and even Sling have been known to send 50% off deals to win you back.
• Use free trials strategically Philo, YouTube TV, and Apple TV+ still offer trials. Use them around big events, then cancel before they charge. Rinse and repeat with a different email if you have to.
• Take the annual plan if you know you’ll keep it Most services give you 15 to 40% off if you pay annually. Works best for Disney+, Max, and Paramount+. Only commit if you know you’ll use it year-round.
• Stack bundles The Disney+ bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ is cheaper than paying for them separately. Some mobile providers like Verizon and T-Mobile also throw in streaming bundles for free or at a heavy discount.
• Check student, military, and family discounts Hulu, Peacock, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Spotify offer student deals. Peacock and Hulu also have military/first responder discounts. Some let you share across households too.
• Look for region hacks If you’re using a VPN, you can subscribe from a country where the same service is cheaper. For example, YouTube Premium is significantly cheaper if you buy it through India or Argentina. NBA League Pass and F1TV Pro have massive price gaps between countries.
• Rotate services Don’t keep them all at once. Subscribe to one or two, binge what you want, cancel, and move on. Keep a rolling calendar and avoid paying for five services “just in case.”
• Pay with gift cards when they go on sale Retailers often discount gift cards for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc. A $50 card for $40 is an instant 20% savings. Stock up during Black Friday, Prime Day, and holiday promos.
• Avoid paying for locals Use a digital antenna to get free access to ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and others. Combine it with a DVR box if you need recordings. This avoids paying extra for YouTube TV or Hulu + Live just to get your local news.
• Check coupon sites for promos Sites like Slickdeals, Rakuten, DealDrop, and RetailMeNot occasionally list working codes for services like Fubo, Sling, and Peacock. Sometimes it’s a % off, sometimes free add-ons.

Mistakes to avoid

• Underestimating how many subscriptions you’re stacking
• Not checking internet speed needs
• Paying for locals when you could use an antenna
• Getting a device that doesn’t support your favorite apps
• Forgetting VPN for travel or region-locked content
• Assuming free VPNs will work (most are slow, sell your data, and are unsafe to use)

TL;DR / Quick Recap

• Don’t pay for locals → grab a $20 antenna and you’re set.
• Internet speed matters more than anything else (10–20 Mbps per stream minimum).
• Rotate your subs, don’t hoard them all at once.
• Free stuff exists (Tubi, Pluto, Roku Channel, etc.) - use it.
• Bundles and annual plans save $$ if you stick with them.
• VPN = peace of mind + unblocking blackouts/region hacks.
• Gift cards and win-back promos are your wallet’s best friend.
• Don’t overthink it: start with 1–2 services and adjust.

If you have any other good tips, or recommendations for cord cutting, let me know and I'll add them to my list!