Three ways to cut music streaming bills for Spotify and Apple Music
LOOKING to dial back your monthly subscriptions? You're not alone.
Yet, our music subscriptions are one of those things that are too hard to let go of.
So, here's three ways to make that monthly expense a little cheaper.
Endure the ads
This is not an option for the Apple Music listeners out there.
But Spotify fans can actually stream all their tunes for free, so long as they endure adverts.
This is the same for YouTube Music and Amazon Music.
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Ads breaks between songs isn't the only caveat users have to put up with on Spotify.
The free version of Spotify only lets users pick and skip songs if they'e in one of Spotify's 15 curated playlists under the Made for You section on the homepage.
This can be a real burden when there's one song, on your favourite album, that you want to listen to.
Shuffle isn't for everyone - but if you don't mind it, then Spotify Free might be the way to go.
Rinse the freebies
Like most subscription-based services, Apple and Spotify offer two to six month free trials.
Companies regularly offer all kinds of trials for both new and existing subscribers.
Get your friends involved
Consider getting your friends and family involved with a family plan.
Six people paying for subscriptions individually is often less than half of what a solo monthly membership costs.
For example, Spotify Premium costs £10.99/$10.99 for one person, £14.99/$14.99 for two people and £17.99/$16.99 for six people.
Six people on one family plan would have to pay just £2.99/$2.99 a month instead of £10.99/$10.99 - that's a saving of £96/$96 each a year.
For Apple Music users, an individual subscription costs £10.99/$10.99 a month, while the family plan for five people costs £16.99/$16.99.
That means each person in the group package pays just £3.40/$3.40 per month, instead of £10.99/$10.99, saving each member £91/$91 annually.
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If you're still studying, get a student plan - they're much cheaper than a standard individual subscription.
But remember: student plans still cost more than spreading the cost between five or six people.
Free cash schemes if you're struggling
Many of us are still struggling with the high cost of living - but there's help you can get.
New or expectant parents can get up to £442 a year to spend on food through Healthy Start scheme.
Some new parents can get £500 via the Sure Start Maternity Grant. The money is designed to help you cover the costs of having a child.
Councils also offer support through the welfare assistance schemes, to help cover the costs of essentials, from buying new furniture to food vouchers.
The amount you can get varies but an investigation by The Sun found that hard-up Brits can apply for help worth up to £1,000.
Discretionary Housing Payment is a pot of money handed out by councils to those struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
A scheme is available for those who find themselves unable to cover housing costs, though the exact amount varies as each local authority dishes out the cash on a case-by-case basis.
Many energy forms offer grants to help cash-tight customers. The exact amount varies depending on your supplier and you circumstances, but could be as much a £2,000.