In case you havenât noticed, Netflix is a pretty big deal nowadays. Itâs more likely for a household to stream their shows than to watch live television. This streaming platform now enjoys upwards of 150 million subscribers. And, thatâs a number which only looks set to rise in coming years. For most of us, a subscription isnât even a question. Netflix has become second nature and a monthly charge which we donât even consider.
But, when you think how a Netflix subscription adds up, itâs worth stepping back sometimes. If weâre honest with ourselves, many of us would admit to not using this platform enough to justify the cost. If thatâs the case, the good news is that itâs easy enough to turn Netflix off at short notice and pick up your subscription again later.
Of course, that does mean leaving yourself a little out of the loop. The latest Netflix shows do, after all, cause quite the stir and become everyday conversation starters.If youâre worried that youâre wasting money but donât want to quit altogether, then, you arenât alone. In truth, many of us neglect our Netflix subscriptions. To help you overcome this problem, weâre going to look at a few of the reasons why youâre falling foul, and what you can do about them.
Youâre spending more than youâre watching
Spending more than youâre watching is, by far, the most common Netflix problem. When you first sign up to stream, you may find that there are endless shows you want to get to. But, youâre now at the stage where you probably only stream one or two things a month. If this is the case, it can soon start to feel like youâre paying more than your subscription is worth. This is especially the case when platforms like Amazon offer one-off watching experiences. To get around this, itâs worth working out how much you would need to watch to justify the monthly cost. You donât need to be exact with this. Still, comparing the value of films or series you watch to prices elsewhere could help you out. The chances are that, even if you think youâre paying over the odds, youâre still saving money with Netflix. Thatâs because even a box set elsewhere would probably cost more than that subscription fee. When you break things down, you may find that even watching one or two things is worth your while. If youâve gone a few months without watching anything, you might just need to work to get into the habit. At the very worst, you could pause your subscription until something interesting comes around.
Your internet isnât up to streaming
Thereâs nothing more irritating than a buffer symbol on the screen every few seconds. The chances are that this alone stops you from using Netflix as much as you might like. You canât exactly get into those shows when the action stops every few seconds, can you? The good news is that the buffering circle of doom is usually a sign that your internet isnât up to streaming. Thatâs an easy enough issue to fix. All you would need to do is turn to alternatives from companies like Optimum, who offer higher speeds than other internet providers, and get the Netflix seal of approval. This could mean forking out a little extra upfront, but that cost still saves you wasting the money youâre already spending. The moment you take care of this, after all, you can start watching any show you fancy without any buffering in sight. This doesnât just benefit your Netflix binges, either. Faster internet can help every aspect of your online life, so what are you waiting for?
Your recommendations never appeal
Most of us choose our next shows based off the recommendations Netflix offers. These are supposedly tailored to our tastes to ensure we can always find something else to watch. The trouble is, many people find that their recommendations never appeal. In that case, youâre more liable to switch Netflix off and not look at it again for months. In reality, though, you have more control over your recommendations than you might realize. By rating shows and tailoring your preferences, you pretty much guarantee that Netflix always selects winners. Fail to do these simple things, and youâre never going to get the most for your money. You certainly wonât be able to find shows you love without searching through the back catalog. But, the moment you tell Netflix what you do and donât like, you could start to find winning watches without any work on your part.
You spend too long listening to Netflix hype
As we mentioned at the start of this post, Netflix shows are now a pretty common conversation go-to. Some options, like Stranger Things, get all the hype. We hear such good things about shows like these that we all head home and start watching. But, as you can guess, these options arenât going to be to everyoneâs tastes. If you only ever take the time to try those hyped shows, then, it’s no wonder that youâre struggling to make the most of Netflix. Admittedly, the hype will sometimes hit the spot for you. More often than not, though, you should block it out and trust your gut. If a show doesnât sound like your cup of tea, it probably wonât be. Instead of wasting time and money watching, turn to those tailored recommendations from the pointer above.
Netflix and other streaming platforms like it can be a fantastic way to tailor your watching experience. They can also become a wasteful drain on your resources if you arenât careful. For the most part, taking steps like those above is the best way to get the most for your money. If youâre still finding that Netflix doesnât suit, though, it might be time to call it quits and try one of the many other options out there. They do say, after all, that variety is the spice of life.