Usenet was not only the first social network, it’s still a vibrant, active online community with millions of users worldwide engaging in uncensored discussions about almost any topic imaginable. Unlike most social networking sites, it is entirely ad free because it requires a subscription.
But just because you have to get a subscription to Usenet doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank. There are some amazing Usenet deals available and plenty of ways to save money on your account.
Ways to Save Money On Usenet
Jumping into the Usenet ecosystem doesn’t have to be expensive, and there are so many options that you can choose from. Each provider has a different set of features, so finding the best possible combination for the right price becomes a lot easier.
Prioritize the Features You Want
Good planning is key to saving money in general, and that especially applies to Usenet. While it would be nice to have every feature, if you’re on a budget, it’s good to know what is most important to you and what you can do without.
We recommend that retention be placed high on your priority list. Retention is the measure of how many days’ worth of posts are available on a given service. The higher the retention rate, the more posts you can access and the higher your completion rates will be.
Consider Speed and Data Limits
Not everybody needs the fastest available service. For a lot of Usenet users, blazing fast speeds are not only unnecessary, but not even possible considering the quality of their Internet connection. Plans that have speed caps tend to be less expensive than ones with unlimited speeds, but can still get you great Usenet service.
Another factor to consider is monthly data caps. If you plan to access a lot of Usenet posts and articles, you’re going to want either a high cap or an unlimited one. If you only want to engage in text discussions, a lower data limit might be a good way to save.
Look for Deals
Even the biggest, best Usenet providers run deals fairly consistently. In fact, we’ve collected what we consider to be the cheapest Usenet deals available right now to make things easier for you. Some services are offering up to 75% off their normal price. So, what’s the catch?
In most cases, you have to sign up for an annual subscription to get the deal. The advantage, however, is that annual plans also tend to come with additional benefits, like VPNs and ad blockers, which can make your whole Internet experience safer, faster, and more enjoyable. Ultimately, if you can sign up for any of these deals, they are worth the investment.
How Using Newsgroups Saves You Money
The savings don’t stop at your subscription. Usenet itself offers a number of ways that you can save money in your daily life if you know what to look for.
Share Deals with Friends
There are dozens of newsgroups that are dedicated to sharing deals as soon as they become available. Some are generalized, but there are also highly specific areas that can help you jump on flash sales or giveaways on tools, video games, groceries, and almost anything else you can think of. For many people, Usenet is the new coupon clipping, and it’s possible to actually save more than your subscription month to month.
Make Better Purchasing Choices
Since Usenet newsgroups have such a dedicated userbase, you won’t have trouble finding people who can help you make smart purchases on everything from books to furniture. Walking into a purchase armed with knowledge of what you should look for and what is going to be the best option means having to replace things less frequently, ensuring maximum efficiency, and being happier with what you bought for longer.
An Online Learning Tool
Usenet is full of experts on a wide variety of topics, so your subscription gives you access to a virtual library of information on almost anything you can imagine. It’s easy to not only get professional advice from people happy to share, but also recommendations for other resources that you might not have found otherwise.
Bottom Line
Usenet costs a little more money up front than your average website, but it also has countless benefits that make it incredibly valuable. Plus, there are so many ways that you can save money on the best Usenet providers that it doesn’t make sense to pass up the material benefits of a subscription. Don’t let the price tag scare you away from Usenet.