The one-video / one-audio rule
Most households overspend because they treat every app like a must-have. SubAudit’s default stack:
| Slot | Pick one | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary video | Netflix or Max or Prime Video base + one channel | Same licensed shows rotate between services |
| Primary audio | Spotify or Apple Music or Amazon Music Unlimited | Library migration is painful — choose once |
| Sports / events | Seasonal add-on only | Cancel the Monday after the final |
If you keep Prime for shipping, Prime Video is your “free” base catalog — do not also pay for a second service whose only value is “something to watch tonight.”
Stacking Prime Video channels safely
Channels (Paramount+, Max via Amazon, etc.) bill through Amazon. Good for one-show seasons; bad when you forget the standalone app still running.
Before you add a channel:
- Check if the show is exclusive to that channel or already on your primary video sub.
- Set a calendar cancel for the day after the finale.
- Annualize: a $14.99/mo channel × 12 = $179.88 — often more than buying the season outright.
See Amazon digital memberships for bounty vs product-link math on Audible and KU overlap.
Ad tiers and annual plans
| Move | When it works | Trap |
|---|---|---|
| Downgrade to ad-supported | You only watch on TV, not phone downloads | Same price creep on renewal |
| Annual prepay | You will use it 10+ months | Sunk cost if habits change |
| Pause (where offered) | Summer travel, no TV | Not all services honor pause |
Hardware that affects the stack
A Roku or Fire TV stick does not replace subscriptions — but it stops you from buying a second smart-TV ecosystem. Compare devices in our product reviews only when you lack a stable app platform.
Audit checklist (15 minutes)
- Export 90 days of card charges (see annualize math).
- List every service with a video or audio icon on your home screen.
- Mark last opened date; cancel anything unused 45+ days with a documented path in cancel playbook.
Next: Subscription audit checklist · Amazon subscription creep
