The Free Trial Trap: Simple Ways to Remember to Cancel Before They Charge You

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
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Several streaming services offer free trials which allow you to watch their programming without paying a dime. For instance, YouTube TV has a 10-day free trial now. DIRECTV streaming has a five-day free trial. And Amazon Prime Video has a 30-day free trial. And there are others.

The Free Trial Trap

Okay, I hear you. You’re afraid to sign up for a free trial because you think you’ll forget to cancel before the trial is over. And then you’ll have to pay up.

Many people, not just seniors, feel this way. But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to feel this way. There are some foolproof ways to enjoy some free television – anxiety-free.

Cancel After You Sign Up

Some streaming services allow you to cancel immediately after you sign up – and continue watching until the trial is over. This is the most effective way to ensure that you don’t get charged accidentally. Once it’s cancelled, the auto renewal option is turned off.

Create a Calendar Event On Your Phone After You Sign Up

If you can’t cancel and continue watching, go into the Calendar app on your smart phone and set a reminder to cancel on the day before the trial is over.

Use the Confirmation E-Mail

When the streamer sends you an e-mail confirming the free trial, forward the e-mail to yourself with a subject header saying, ‘Cancel By (Date).’ Then, keep that e-mail at the top of your e-mail list. You’ll see it every time you check your mail.

“Some streaming services allow you to cancel immediately after signing up – and continue watching until the free trial is over.”

Put a Reminder List On the Fridge

If you’re not the type that checks your digital devices regularly, put a cancel reminder on the fridge. Every time you go for a bite, you’ll remind yourself to cancel that streaming service.

Use a Subscription Manager

As I noted, many people forget to cancel free trials which has led to an entire new business category of apps and services designed to help people remember. For instance, Rocket Money, formerly known as Truebill, is an app that allows you to track and cancel subscriptions by connecting to your bank and credit card accounts and scanning for recurring charges. It then lists your subscriptions and let you cancel them through the app.

Use a Buddy to Remind You

My wife may not like that I’m writing this but I am her ‘cancel buddy.’ She tends to forget to cancel free trials so she asks me to remind her when she signs up. It seems to work for us.

I hope these little tricks work for you. The streaming free trial is a wonderful way to check out whether you want to subscribe to a service, or just enjoy some free shows you otherwise wouldn’t be able to watch without paying a hefty sum.

Until next time, happy viewing and stay safe!

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