If you spend a lot of time online, you already know the importance of using a VPN. VPNs have become a staple for modern internet users, but did you know that their benefits go beyond digital security and safety? It turns out you can save thousands of dollars every year by using the VPN features correctly.
We’ve collected all the best tips for saving money online by using a VPN, so you can spend the money you save on things and experiences you actually enjoy. But before we get into the tips, let’s briefly discuss VPNs and what they do.
What is a VPN?
VPN, or a virtual private network, is a digital security tool that encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address and personal information so you can surf the web privately. Most internet users underestimate the vulnerabilities of going online without a VPN. Your internet service provider can always see what you are doing online. Worse, some won’t hesitate to sell that data to the highest bidder.
An unfair reality is that unless you are using a VPN and hiding your IP address, your internet activity is always accessible to other people. Now that we’ve explained what a VPN is let’s get into the tips on how to save money with a VPN.
Online Shopping
Online shopping is one of the best things to come out of the internet, and it is probably among the most popular pastimes worldwide. You can make your online shopping experience even better by using a VPN. Here’s how: A lot of companies will charge you according to your location. For example, if Apple Music sees you are in the UK, you will be charged $13 monthly for their services.
On the other hand, if it sees that you are located in India, you will only have to pay $1.75 for the same services. This is not limited to online subscriptions but happens across all industries.
To ensure you are not overcharged, change your location in your VPN app to see if you can save money. Chances are, you will get a better deal. You can apply the same tips when booking hotels and rentals for your next vacation.
Traveling
As amazing and fulfilling as traveling is, it is also pretty expensive, especially if you want to travel with your friends and family. But with the fastest VPN, you can make traveling a lot more affordable by using a VPN when booking and purchasing airline tickets and making hotel reservations.
Next time you book a flight, try changing your location in your VPN app and pick a lower-income country. The airline website will register you as a user from that county, and usually, the ticket prices for these countries will be cheaper than average. This tip can save you and your friends hundreds of dollars per trip.
Another tip you can use to save money on airline tickets is to use a VPN to change your location to the airline’s origin country. Oddly enough, airlines sometimes charge less when customers purchase their homeland, so why not give it a go?
Apply the same technique when booking hotels or even renting cars when traveling. Rental cars can be especially tricky as they’re subject to different taxes and additional charges, so don’t risk it and get the cheapest options you can.
Streaming and Netflix
Streaming services are an essential part of modern entertainment, but there are so many of them that it’s hard to keep up. If you love streaming services and can’t justify paying full price for all of them, consider using a VPN to get better deals on most streaming platforms.
Just like with airlines and travel, if you choose a more low-income country as your location in the VPN app, you are likely to get a better deal on all your subscriptions.
But besides saving money, a VPN can also help you access the restricted content in your area. All you need to do is change your location to the country that currently has access to that content and start streaming. Alternatively, if you want to watch a show available in your home country but are now traveling, you can use the same technique to access that content.
Conclusion
A VPN is essential to protect your identity and browsing history from outsiders. VPNs are also helpful in protecting yourself against cyber attacks since your IP address and other private information is hidden from outsiders.
But as highlighted in the article, VPN’s functionality expands far beyond security and digital safety. VPNs can get you better deals on various websites and save money that will be better spent elsewhere.
When you use a VPN to its full potential, you can save money on streaming services, subscriptions, flights, hotels, online shopping, and much more.