Subscriptions are convenient but can be costly
Subscriptions might seem like a good deal at first, and can quickly become something you 'can't live without' but they each little charge does add up. So when it comes to subscriptions is it time to rationalise what you actually need, when you need it?
Introduction
No matter how you slice it, subscriptions are a great convenience. They can save you time and money and provide some real benefits to your life. But they also have their downsides.
Subscriptions are convenient
Subscriptions can be a great way to save time and money. When you sign up for a subscription, you're paying for the product or service in advance. That means that when you need it again, it's already paid for—you don't have to make another purchase or put any money down!
Subscriptions also help ensure that you're getting exactly what you need. With many subscriptions, brands offer different options depending on your needs and lifestyle (for example: size, flavors, colours).
With this flexibility comes ease of use—the biggest advantage of all is being able to order something without having to think about where the nearest store is located or how much cash is left in your wallet. You simply order what suits your needs at that moment through an app or website; no more worrying about running out at inconvenient times!
Convenience comes at a cost
Subscription companies make signing up very very easy - their job is to get you to sign up. But before taking up your next subscription because of the offered convenience or because a new tv series looks cool think about how many subscriptions you already have before signing up for another one.
Do you really need it? Is it possible to get access to it another way? For example, instead of signing up for another streaming service do you know someone with access already? Can you organise a 'watching party' - where you have them around or you go to them to watch the new episode(s).
How much does each thing cost? And can your finances afford any more stuff right now?
You might find out that even though the idea behind some services is great (like having thousands of new books available on demand), they're not really worth their price tags if they don't align with your personal budget goals or financial priorities.
Subscriptions could be costing you more
If you're not careful, subscriptions can cost you more than the service itself. If you're thinking about signing up for a monthly or annual subscription to something that's not a necessity, consider buying all of them at once instead.
That way, if one service is canceled down the line and another doesn't look like it will be as good of a deal when purchased separately (or if your budget suddenly shrinks), then at least it won't feel like such an expensive hit.
Also keep in mind that sometimes companies will bundle services together in order to make them appear more affordable. While this tactic may seem like something innocent enough (and sometimes even helpful), it could end up costing you more money than necessary over time.
Which subscriptions could you go without?
You may be surprised to learn that there are many subscriptions you could go without. For example, I canceled my Amazon Prime membership recently and I'm not missing anything. In fact, I might even save some money just from buying stuff at the supermarket instead of using my Amazon Prime account.
Also consider this: if you have multiple memberships or subscriptions that cost $10 per month or more each (like Netflix, Spotify, Audible), it's worth looking into whether those services could be consolidated into one bill. For example, if all your streaming needs were covered by Hulu and HBO Now instead of Netflix and Hulu—or even just Hulu alone—you'd save around $8 per month by cutting out some subscriptions altogether!
Is it time to say goodbye to some?
Subscriptions can be the best thing that ever happened to you. But they can also be the worst.
Subscriptions are great, but they can also be expensive. If you’re struggling with bills, or if you're not able to do the things you want to do, it might be time to call some of them quits.
Maybe you’ve got a few subscriptions that could use an update—or maybe some of them just aren’t worth keeping around anymore? There are a few things subscribers should consider before deciding whether or not to keep their subscription:
● Is this service worth keeping?
● Is there another way I can get this product or service at a better price point?
● Does someone else offer this for free?
Conclusion
In the end, subscription services can be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, they can save you time and money. On the other hand, they can cost you more than you bargained for if you don’t do your research. Is it worth the risk? We think so—but only if you’re willing to take control of your finances (and maybe even
About HelpPay
HelpPay is a 100%Australian owned company focused on making helping easier.
HelpPay's app is free for anyone to download and the HelpPay Promise ensures that money received to be paid towards a bill only ever goes to pay that bill.
Best of all the HelpPay app keeps a track of how much has been paid so when the full amount owed has been paid it stops accepting payments, providing peace of mind that bills can't be overpaid.
Download the HelpPay app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store or use the web version of HelpPay, today.
