It seems somehow unfair.Some of Amazon's verybest deals of the year are available during its annual Prime Day events, but access to those deals requires paying$139 for a year's membership .

But does it? We're going to show you how you can avoid that$139 fee and get full and complete access to all theAmazon Prime Day deals and discounts just in time for Amazon's upcoming Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11.

Also: Everything you need to know about Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days

Free trial 

Good news! If you haven't been an Amazon Prime member in the last 12 months,you qualify for a free 30-day trial . Just look for the big yellow "Start your 30-day free trial" button. 

Buy for one month only

If you don't qualify for the free trial, one approach is to buy a Prime membership for just one month. After all, if you really just want access for a few days, a month's membership should do you. Amonth's membership will set you back$14.99 . That's low enough that if you just get free shipping on a few products, it will pay for itself.

But you can do better.

Qualify for a student discount and free trial

If you're a student and a new member, you can sign up for a Prime Student membership (here's how). Prime Student gets you a six month free trial , andthen you pay$7.49 a month if you decide to keep the service, or$69 per year compared to$139 for a regular membership. (And you wonder why adults are always saying, "Stay in school.")

Discount for government assistance recipients

If you're on one of the qualifying government assistance programs including SNAP, WIC, and TANF,you can get a Prime membership for half off . That brings the cost down to$6.99 a month. That might still be a lot to bite off, but at least it's something.

Don't forget

Just remember to cancel any free trial before your 30 days are up if you don't want to become a member, or you will be helping to pay for Bezos' rocket fuel.

So there you go. A few different ways to save money on Prime. And while you have a Prime membership, be sure to check outPrime Video , which comes free with your trial membership. My favorite shows to binge during your trial membership areThe Man in The High Castle, The Grand Tour, The Expanse, and Good Omens.

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