We’re all guilty of it – typing something we want into Google and then spending the next hour comparing the prices that are on offer. The savviest of shoppers will know that the same thing can also be done with subscriptions.
Subscription-based services such as Spotify, Tidal, Netflix, Amazon Prime and even gaming subscriptions like Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Switch Online can often be purchased for cheaper through special promotions that are offered through other retailers.
However, unless you’re the ultimate bargain connoisseur, the idea of creating burner accounts to access special promotions or spending hours scouring the net might sound a little off-putting.
Thankfully, there’s a much easier way to save money on your online subscriptions and purchases. Using a VPN could help you save hundreds of dollars every year. Read on to find out how.
How Can a VPN Save You Money?
A VPN, also known as a Virtual Private Network, allows you to mask your IP address from your ISP so they, and others, can’t see what you get up to online. When your devices are connected to a VPN, all of the information you’re transferring is encrypted, and you’re able to connect to server locations all over the world.
This means, despite the fact you live in the United States, it means you could use the internet as if you were located in Spain, Russia, the UK, or anywhere else in the world (as long as the VPN has servers there).
So why is all of this important? Many large companies that offer digital services, whether that’s Microsoft, Amazon, Sony, or Apple, use geoblocks to protect their content. When these companies make a deal to provide their users with a new film or TV show, they’re provided with a license which usually dictates the locations and regions that content can be broadcast to.
This has resulted in regions throughout the world having their own unique library of content. Indian Netflix is completely different from US Netflix, for example.
Geoblocking not only includes specific content, but it also includes special deals and promotions. Ever seen a deal online only to discover that it’s not available in your country?
That’s where a VPN comes in. Simply use your VPN to connect to a server in the country that the deal is located in and you’ll be able to access it. Using this method can save you hundreds of dollars every year. We’ve outlined the biggest ways to save below.
Digital Games from the PlayStation Store
The discounts and promotions you’ll be able to access on the PlayStation Store will depend on where you are in the world. Sony has developed a reputation for being pretty generous when it comes to offering discounts across a huge library of AAA and Indie titles, you’ll just need access to a VPN to make the most of them.
Expect savings of up to 70% on top titles and even higher if you’ve got a PlayStation Plus subscription (which you can also save money on using the same method!).
Xbox GamePass
If you’ve got an Xbox One, there’s no reason not to have a GamePass subscription. It’s a monthly subscription that gives you free access to a massive selection of titles, not just from Microsoft, but from other game publishers too. It’s essentially a Netflix-style subscription service for games and at the time of writing there are 200 games available to download and play.
It’s worth noting that many of these games are new releases, and first-party titles such as Halo and Gears of War are launched straight onto GamePass, which can save you dropping $60 on a retail copy.
Microsoft regularly changes the price of a GamePass subscription in special offers and promotions, so simply keep an eye on what prices are available online and change your country location whenever you need to so you can grab a cheap subscription.
Save Money on Shopping Through Google
Google is clever. When you’re shopping for something online, it’ll often filter what deals you can see depending on the currency you use to purchase things. If you live in the United States, why would it want to bring up a load of search results for items that are shipped from the UK? The truth is, it can sometimes be cheaper to shop this way.
The next time you’re shopping online for goods or services, try using a VPN to change your location and take note of how much the prices change. Of course, sometimes you may have to spend a little extra for shipping, but the savings are often worth it.