By: Dipin Sehdev

Remember when cutting the cord was supposed to save us money? Remember when streaming services were the affordable alternative to cable's exorbitant fees? Well, those days are gone, my friends. Gone. And in their place? A landscape where streaming is starting to look a lot like... gasp... cable.

Yes, it's true. Streaming services, once the bastion of affordability, are steadily creeping up in price, leaving us with subscription fatigue and a lighter wallet. And the worst offender? None other than Netflix, the OG of streaming, the one that started it all.

Netflix: From Hero to Zero (or at Least, More Expensive Hero)

Let's rewind a bit. Remember when Netflix was the cool kid on the block? "House of Cards," "Stranger Things," "Orange is the New Black" – those were the golden days. Netflix was synonymous with quality original content, a haven for binge-watchers, and a savior from the clutches of cable.

But somewhere along the way, something changed. Netflix started canceling shows left and right, leaving us with cliffhangers that would make George R. R. Martin proud. Remember "Sense8"? "The OA"? "Santa Clarita Diet"? All gone, leaving fans heartbroken and frustrated.

And now, to add insult to injury, they're raising prices. Again.

The Price of Binge-Watching

Let's break down the damage, shall we?

• Basic with Ads: $7.99 per month. This gets you the bare bones experience – standard definition streaming with ads. You'll feel like you've been transported back to the dark ages of television. That's 
• Standard: $17.99 per month. This is where things start to get a bit more bearable. You get HD streaming and the ability to watch on two screens simultaneously. But hold on tight to your wallet, because that's $215.88 per year.
• Premium: $24.99 per month. This is the "I've got money to burn" plan. You get all the bells and whistles – 4K streaming, the ability to watch on four screens at once, and probably a complimentary foot massage (okay, maybe not the last one). But at $299.88 per year, you might want to consider taking out a small loan.

The Streaming Wars: A Battle for Your Wallet

And Netflix isn't the only one playing this game. Let's take a look at the competition:

• Hulu: Starts at $7.99 per month with ads, or $14.99 per month ad-free.
• Disney+: $10.99 per month, or $109.99 per year.
• Amazon Prime Video: Included with an Amazon Prime membership ($14.99 per month or $139 per year), or $8.99 per month on its own.
• HBO Max: $15.99 per month with ads, or $19.99 per month ad-free.
• Apple TV+: $6.99 per month.
• YouTube Premium: $11.99 per month.

So, there you have it. The streaming landscape is becoming a minefield of subscriptions, each vying for your hard-earned cash. And with prices steadily on the rise, it's starting to feel like we're right back where we started, with cable companies laughing all the way to the bank.

What's a Binge-Watcher to Do?

So, what's the solution? Well, there isn't an easy one. We're hooked on streaming, and the companies know it. But here are a few things you can do to try and keep your costs down:

• Be selective: Choose your subscriptions wisely. Don't subscribe to every streaming service under the sun. Figure out which ones have the content you actually want to watch and stick to those.
• Rotate subscriptions: Consider rotating your subscriptions. Sign up for one service for a month or two, binge-watch all the shows you want, then cancel and move on to another one.
• Share accounts: If you have family or friends who also want to stream, consider sharing accounts. Most services allow you to have multiple profiles on one account.
• Take advantage of free trials: Many streaming services offer free trials. Use these to your advantage to try out a service before committing to a paid subscription.
• Consider alternatives: There are still free, legal ways to watch TV and movies. Check out your local library, which often has a selection of DVDs and Blu-rays available to borrow.

The Bottom Line

Streaming was supposed to be the affordable alternative to cable. But with prices steadily on the rise, it's starting to feel like we're being played for fools. So, be smart, be selective, and don't let the streaming companies take you for a ride.