What Can Go Wrong (Mistakes to Avoid)

Even with these perks, it is easy to lose money if you aren’t careful. Here are the common pitfalls:

1. Paying Monthly: Paying $14.99/month adds up to roughly $180/year. If you can afford the $139 upfront, you save over $40 instantly.
2. Ignoring “Subscribe & Save”: You don’t actually need Prime for Subscribe & Save, but Prime members often get higher discount tiers (up to 15%) on diapers, pet food, and toiletries. Forgetting to set this up for recurring items is a waste.
3. Forgetting to Cancel Channels: Prime Video Channels (like Starz, Paramount+, etc.) are easy to add and easier to forget. Check your “Memberships & Subscriptions” tab every 3 months to prune unused add-ons.
4. Not Sharing the Wealth: Amazon Household allows you to share your Prime shipping, video, and photos benefits with one other adult in your house for free. If your spouse or roommate is paying for their own separate account, you are wasting $139 a year.