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Three ways to cut music streaming bills for Spotify and Apple Music

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Plus, other cash schemes if you
Plus, other cash schemes if you're struggling

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.

Spotify fans can actually stream all their tunes for free, so long as they endure adverts qhiquqidxirprw
Spotify fans can actually stream all their tunes for free, so long as they endure advertsCredit: Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto
Consider getting your friends and family involved with a family plan
Consider getting your friends and family involved with a family planCredit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett

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.

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This is the same for YouTube Music and Amazon Music.

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.

Apple Music always offers at least 30 days free to new subscribers.

But a time-limited trials frequently offer more time, like this AirPods, HomePod or Beats deal that includes six months of Apple Music for free to new subscribers.

Similarly, Spotify also tries to lure in new subscribers with the permanent offer of the first 30 days free.

Edinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rainEdinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rain

Although, Spotify is currently offering four months of Premium streaming for free to new subscribers who are also Tinder members.

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.

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.

Millie Turner

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