Free Options to Help You Cut the Cord

The average spending per cable subscriber is approximately $85 a month, according to USA Today. For satellite television subscribers this spikes even higher to $100 a month. Even if you spend significantly below average, these costs can still be crippling if you're trying to avoid credit card debt.

The average spending per cable subscriber is approximately $85 a month, according to USA Today. For satellite television subscribers this spikes even higher to $100 a month. Even if you spend significantly below average, these costs can still be crippling if you're trying to avoid credit card debt. The good news? You don’t have to break your budget to enjoy a wide variety of television, movies and other programs. In fact, there are many free streaming options just waiting to be discovered -- and all you need is a public library card.

Forget about Netflix and Hulu. Here’s a closer look at three of our favorite free video streaming services aimed at helping you save on entertainment.

1) hoopla
More than 1,500 library systems across the US and Canada have partnerships with hoopla. Offering “your public library at your fingertips,” this groundbreaking streaming service lets you borrow digital movies, music, eBook and more 24 hours a day. There’s no waiting involved, and titles can be streamed immediately or downloaded to your computer, tablet or phone to watch later. They’re returned automatically when the lending period ends, so the process couldn’t be easier.

Currently, hoopla has thousands of titles available with more being added every day. From award-winning flicks like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to hit television shows like The Great British Baking Show, you’re sure to find something to lose yourself in -- without losing money.

2) Kanopy
If you’re looking for “quality, thoughtful entertainment” at no cost to you, look no further than Kanopy. Moonlight, Lady Bird, Chinatown, The Central Park Five, and Eighth Grade are just a small sampling of the thousands of critically-acclaimed movies, documentaries, and foreign films available at Kanopy. Have a little Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood or Dinosaur Train lover in your household? Kanopy also has great programming for kids thanks to Kanopy Kids.

Kanopy is available through participating public libraries and universities. Just sign in with your library card number or university login and you’re good to go. Not sure if your library is a Kanopy collaborator? Check here.

Wondering if it’s really free or if there’s a “catch”? Using Kanopy is just like taking out a book from your library. Just as libraries buy books for their collections for members to borrow, Kanopy and other digital resources like it work the exact same way.

3) Rakuten
OverDrive You may already check out eBooks and audiobooks via the OverDrive app. But did you know you can also choose from a large collection of movies and television shows? OverDrive lets users borrow videos, as well as eBooks and audiobooks, from thousands of public libraries all over the world. While the OverDrive video collection many have started small, it’s continually growing. In addition to watching OverDrive videos via its app on your mobile device, you can also watch OverDrive videos using your web browser.

LIfe on a tight budget doesn't have to be fun-free. While streaming services like YouTube TV, Sling TV and Fubo TV may be cheaper than cable, they still come with monthly fees that add up over time. But it is possible to enjoy life without spending. With hoopla, Kanopy and OverDrive, you not only save money, but eliminate these costs completely…and get one step closer to a future without financial stress.

We've got you covered when it comes to ways to save and manage money. So here's one last tip for saving money while getting your entertainment fix: Instead of buying microwave popcorn, pop your own on your stovetop. It’s significantly cheaper, healthier, and tasty, too!