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It’s easy to overspend on consumer technology or make purchases that won’t last. For example, you don’t need to pay for Microsoft Office and you don’t need to spend money on cheap chargers. Tap or click five ways you spend money on tech.
Then there are all the subscriptions you paid for and didn’t use. Streaming services are the main culprit; There is only so much time in a day and it is impossible to track everything. Instead, tap or click on my guide to watch your shows for free.
You probably didn’t know that you can share different accounts with family and friends, or at least get a nice discount. It’s not your fault. Tech companies don’t promote this money-saving secret, and you can thank me later.
If you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, you won’t realize that it’s more than just free shipping.
(iStock/Amazon)
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Let’s start with Amazon
If you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, you won’t realize that it’s more than just free shipping. Click here or click here for my favorite bonuses. Since it’s not cheap, I suggest getting a 30-day free trial to make sure it’s worth it to you.
Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139.99 per year. You can share this cost with a friend or family member and still get all the benefits.
Amazon Household allows two adults to share Prime benefits and digital content such as e-books. Everyone has their own account, so you retain some privacy. Note that you will have access to each other’s payment methods. Only share your account with someone you trust.
You can also add up to four teenagers (ages 13-17) to the plan for free. Each teen will get their own Amazon login, and adults must approve all purchases on the plan.
visit amazon.com/myh/manage to create or manage your household.
Speaking of Amazon, the tech giant knows a lot about you. Get ready for a shock. How to see all this.
Apple makes it cheaper to package
Apple One bundles Apple services for a lower monthly price than you would pay for each service separately. If multiple family members use iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Music, and iCloud, the savings may be worth it.
The individual Apple One plan costs $14.95 per month and includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and 50GB of Apple iCloud+ storage.
The family plan is $19.95 per month. It includes all the same services and 200 GB of storage.
The Premier plan is $29.95/month and adds News+ and Fitness+ with 2TB of storage.
Cost savings come from: The Family and Premier plans can be shared with up to five other people using Family Sharing as long as they live in the same country. That’s right, you don’t have to live in the same house.
To set up Family Sharing on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
to go Parameters.
hit your name.
hit Family Sharing and then click Build your family.
Follow the on-screen instructions to create your family and invite your family members.
For instructions on setting up iCloud+ on all your devices, tap or click here.
Apple TV+ Subscription. Cost savings come from: Family and Premier plans can be shared with up to five other people using Family Sharing as long as they live in the same country. That’s right, you don’t have to live in the same house.
(Courtesy of Apple)
If you are a Google family
Like Apple, Google offers extended family plans with storage that can be shared by five people. Group members won’t be able to see each other’s files, but they share storage space and can see how much space others are using. All members must live in the same country as the family manager.
Google accounts include 15 GB of storage for free. Here’s how much it costs to upgrade to Google One for more capacity:
The basic plan is $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year for 100 GB of storage. You also get support Google experts.
The standard plan is $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year for 200GB of storage. This tier earns you 3% back on Google Store purchases.
The premium plan is $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for 2TB of storage and 10% back on Google Store purchases.
Also Standard and Premium plans can be shared. Go here to set up family sharing families.google.com/families. Sign in with your Google account and follow the on-screen instructions to add members.
Is your Google account locked? you sure? Click or tap for a quick and easy security check that you should do every few months.
Also consider your phone bill
Most mobile providers give you a nice discount for more lines under one plan.
You can also take advantage of deals if only one person on the plan qualifies. With T-Mobile’s affordable 55+ plans, for example, only one person needs to be 55 or older. Full disclosure: T-Mobile is a sponsor of my national radio show.
The same goes for military and first responder discounts. Verizon works the same way. You only need one person on the plan to qualify, and members don’t have to live under the same roof.
Here are five ways to save on your phone bill and even get free service.
Easy ways to share expenses
Now that you know what you can share, what are the best ways to go about splitting subscription costs? The last thing you want to do is chase someone down for a few bucks every month. Here are a few options:
Let the app do the hard work: programs like Separately helps you track and pay shared expenses easily. This option is great when you plan to split multiple sheets.
Turn off: It’s not possible to change your payment method every month, but you and your ex may be able to switch it off every year. You pay for one year for a particular service, then pay for another year.
Get the payment out of the way: For services that only cost a few dollars a month, consider paying back (or requesting) a friend a six-month or one-year lump sum. Sending more than $6 each month is easier said than done.
Like Apple, Google offers extended family plans with storage that can be shared by five people. Group members won’t be able to see each other’s files, but they share storage space and can see how much space others are using. All members must live in the same country as the family manager.
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
HACKERS WANT GOOGLE ACCOUNTS; GIVE THIS SECURITY CHECK NOW
Keep up your technical knowledge
My popular podcast is called Kim Commando Today. It’s 30 minutes of tech news, tips and callers from all over the country with tech questions just like you. Search wherever you get your podcasts from. For your convenience, visit the link below for the latest episode.
PODCAST SELECTION: Update your iPhone, travel hack, self-destruct email
Listen to the latest tech discussions for 30 minutes. It’s time to update your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac. Plus, if you’re running your own business, Cameo is a smart idea: Use celebrities for marketing. Your flights will never be the same after using digital bag tags. I’ve got the scoop on this life-changing journey – and which airline uses it.
Find my Kim Komando Today podcast on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player.
Just search my last name, “Commando”.
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Learn about all the latest technologies Kim Commando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and offers advice on everything from smartphones and tablets to today’s digital lifestyle online privacy and data hacks. Visit her website for her daily tips, free newsletters and more Komando.com.