How to Save Money as a Netflix Hermit | brokeGIRLrich
So –
You’re up to your eyeballs in debt.
You need to save up $30,000 for a wedding.
Your water heater just exploded.
Want to know one of the quickest way to start putting a major dent in those numbers?
Become a rare and elusive Netflix hermit.
Rarely, if ever, found in the wild, the elusive Netflix hermit thrives in dark places on a grain based diet (popcorn) in cool temperatures, although it’s actual nest is often quite warm (blankets on a couch).
If you turn your primary free time activity into binge watching TV shows, you can drastically cut entertainment costs.
The Netflix hermit is often a solitary creature, although it is not rare to find it with a mate. However, on occasion the Netflix hermit can find a pack and often benefits from the social interactions of a group while still drastically saving money.
In all seriousness though, Netflix is an incredibly cheap way to remain entertained and minimize your spending. You can watch it alone. With your significant other. Or even invite friends over to watch with you.
A warning though – winter is the best time of year to become a Netflix hermit, but it can add to seasonal depression. Just be kind of mindful that you still try to see the sun once in a while and get some fresh air. Too much of being a Netflix hermit can make you sluggish and moody.
That being said, for as long as you can stand to be a Netflix hermit, you will rack up savings, especially if you usually head out to do a lot of activities, grab drinks with friends, etc.
My top 10 recommendations for some Netflix binge watching (in no particular order):
- The West Wing
- Grey’s Anatomy
- The Office
- Scrubs
- Alias
- Scrotal Recall (terrible name, hilarious show)
- The Wonder Years
- Friends
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Criminal Minds
house of card ,sense8, any of the english mystery and christmas movies
Oh, I do love House of Cards! Good call!
Agents of SHIELD, Flash, Arrow (I love superheroes!).
Also, documentaries… pretty much all of them. I’m actually trying to limit TV, but Rob and I have really started to enjoy Netflix a little too much lately.
There’s definitely a case for limiting the amount of TV in your life – there are plenty of budget friendly alternatives to it – but, personally, I know I’m super lazy sometimes and being a Netflix hermit works for me even then.
Jan 1, 2015 – Canceled cable and got Netflix and Hulu. Best decision we’ve made. And not because of the money we saved! 🙂
Breaking Bad and House of Cards
What I like most about “streaming” is it forces you to be intentional. If you’re watching TV, its because your intentionally turned on the TV to watch something. I’m not a big TV watcher but before cancelling cable, I cant tell you how many times I caught myself watching TV for 30+min trying to FIND SOMETHING TO WATCH…and i didnt even want to watch TV in the first place! lol
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I never thought about the intentionality, but you’re right! When I was something now, it’s specifically cause I want to watch it, not because I just plopped down in front of the TV and it happened to be on.
Friday Night Lights! Still my all time favorite. I got into Parenthood last year but now I’m dying for the last season but its not on there! 🙁
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Friends and Criminal Minds are the two that I’m currently watching. Friends for when my kiddos are nearby and criminal minds when I feel the need to scare the crap out of myself before bed when my husband is traveling!!
I do love Criminal Minds, but you’re right – it can get super creepy!
We are Netflix and Hulu users too. We still rarely watch TV though. It might happen more after hubs is done with med school.
Cat@BudgetBlonde recently posted…How My Broken Car Changed my Outlook on Debt
I’m pretty sure if I had twins, TV would be a pretty low priority too!
Recently got back on the Netflix horse and am watching Orange is the New Black. The 2nd season has become lacklustre compared to the first season, which started off very strong. I keep on watching it because I’m addicted and I can’t stop.
The invention of Netflix is genius. Cable is nothing but a distant memory.
Karen recently posted…HowAreYOUMakintheBacon Series: Michelle Laratta
I have a few that my husband and I gobbled up:
Battlestar Gallactica (newer FABULOUS one)
Stargate Atlantis (all Stargates great, this is my fav)
Sons of Anarchy (the idea that this is a modern remake of Hamlet is how I wound up watching with my husband)
Jericho
Downton Abbey
How I Met Your Mother (because you know you missed a few seasons somewhere in there)
CHUCK !!!!!
And I am a sucker for Hallmark movies, particularly Christmas movies!!
Reaper
I love Downton Abbey!!
We do Netflix and Amazon Prime. It’s harder to find things on Prime, but between the shipping, the videos, the music and the free e-books we definitely get our money’s worth.
When my kiddo lets me indulge, I spend my time on Buffy/Angel, Midsomer Murders and Doctor Who. I need to check out Man in the High Castle.
When Little Bit’s in charge, we watch the Jem cartoon (not to be confused with the movie I refuse to see), Disney channel originals, Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit (or I do other things while she watches Monster High and H2O.)
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I always love adding new shows to binge on via Netflix, I would add The Walking Dead, How to Get Away With Murder, Friday Night Lights, The Property Brothers and Fixer Upper.
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So you have an image from Gilmore Girls but don’t have it on your list?? For shame!! Seriously, though, this is a really fun article! I feel like an image from Pirates of the Caribbean/Dead Man’s Chest would also be appropriate — you know those guys that have become part of the wood of the Flying Dutchman?? LOL. I do NOT have a Netflix subscription, sad to say — but this idea makes me want to get one!! Thanks for posting on Frugal Friday; you’ll be one of our featured articles this week! 🙂
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We just got netflix recently and have been watching house of cards. Your point about living frugal is on point. My wife and i went to the movies and forgot how expensive it has gotten- big screen is cool but does some major damage to you wallet. for me netflix is a great solution
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