10 Ways to Save Money on Subscriptions Each Month

Subscriptions can be sneaky little budget drainers. They start out feeling small—just a few dollars here and there—but before you know it, you’re spending hundreds each month on things you barely use. Streaming services, beauty boxes, fitness apps, and even meal kits can add up fast. The good news? You don’t have to cancel everything to take back control of your budget. With a little strategy, you can cut costs without sacrificing what you love.

The key to saving money on subscriptions is being mindful and intentional about what you actually use. Many companies count on you signing up and forgetting about their service. They’ll even make it tricky to cancel or subtly increase their prices over time. But once you get into the habit of reviewing your subscriptions regularly, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to keep your favorites while slashing unnecessary costs.

Let’s go over ten smart and practical ways to save money on subscriptions each month. Some are as simple as checking your bank statements, while others require a little creativity. But trust me—by the time you’re done, you’ll have more money in your pocket without feeling like you’re missing out.

1. Audit Your Current Subscriptions

One of the best ways to start saving money on subscriptions is to take a deep dive into what you’re actually paying for. It’s easy to forget about that meditation app you signed up for last year or that magazine subscription you never read. The first step is to check your bank and credit card statements for recurring charges. You might be surprised at how many sneaky subscriptions are slipping through the cracks.

Once you’ve made a list, categorize your subscriptions into three groups: essentials, nice-to-haves, and unnecessary expenses. Essentials might include things like your phone bill or cloud storage, while nice-to-haves could be streaming services or beauty boxes. Unnecessary expenses are those subscriptions you completely forgot about or rarely use.

Now that you have a clear picture of where your money is going, it’s time to make some decisions. Ask yourself: Do I use this enough to justify the cost? If the answer is no, it’s probably time to let it go. You might also find duplicate services—like two different music streaming apps—where you can easily cut one.

Doing a subscription audit every few months can keep your expenses in check. Think of it like spring cleaning for your budget. The more you practice this habit, the less likely you’ll be to waste money on things you don’t truly need or enjoy.

2. Cancel Unused or Redundant Subscriptions

Now that you’ve taken inventory, it’s time to start cutting. If you’ve ever hesitated to cancel a subscription because you might use it again, you’re not alone. Companies are experts at making us feel like we’ll miss out, but truthfully, if you haven’t used something in months, you won’t even notice it’s gone.

Start with the subscriptions you don’t use at all. These are easy to eliminate—just log in and cancel them right away. But what about the ones you only occasionally use? A good rule of thumb is this: if you haven’t used it in the last 30 days, you probably don’t need it. And remember, most services will happily take you back if you ever decide to re-subscribe.

Also, look for overlapping services. Are you paying for both Hulu and Netflix when you mostly watch one? Do you have multiple workout apps but only use one regularly? Consolidating these can help you save without feeling deprived.

If you’re feeling unsure about cutting certain services, try this trick: pause instead of canceling. Many services offer an option to freeze your membership for a few months. If you don’t miss it during that time, you’ll know it’s safe to say goodbye for good.

3. Use Free Trials Wisely

Free trials are amazing, but they can also be budget traps if you’re not careful. So many people sign up thinking they’ll cancel before getting charged—only to forget, and then boom, another charge hits their account. Companies love this little trick, and they make the cancellation process just inconvenient enough to keep you paying.

To avoid this, always set a calendar reminder as soon as you start a free trial. Whether it’s a one-week or 30-day trial, mark the cancellation date at least one day before it ends. That way, you won’t get caught off guard.

Another great hack? Use a virtual card number from your bank or a service like Privacy.com. These let you generate a temporary credit card number that expires after a certain date—meaning even if you forget to cancel, they won’t be able to charge you.

And finally, before you sign up for a trial, ask yourself: Do I actually want this service long-term? If the answer is no, you might be better off skipping the trial altogether. Not everything is worth the mental effort of remembering to cancel!

4. Share Plans with Family or Friends

Many subscription services allow multiple users on the same account. If you’re paying full price for something you could be splitting, it’s time to team up with family or friends and share the cost.

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify offer family plans that let multiple people use the same account at a lower cost per person. Instead of paying $15 a month for your own Spotify account, you could join a family plan and only pay $5 instead.

The same applies to things like grocery delivery memberships, fitness apps, and even some news subscriptions. Before you sign up solo, check if there’s a multi-user option and see if anyone in your circle is interested in splitting.

If you don’t have family or friends to share with, consider checking online groups or communities where people team up for subscription savings. Just make sure you trust the people you’re sharing with and that it aligns with the platform’s terms of service.

5. Negotiate for Discounts

Most people don’t realize that many subscription services are willing to offer discounts if you just ask. Whether it’s a streaming service, a magazine, or a meal kit, companies want to keep you as a customer and often have retention offers hidden up their sleeve.

One of the easiest ways to score a discount is to start the cancellation process. Many services will immediately offer you a lower price or a free trial extension if you try to leave. If they don’t, you can always call or chat with customer service and politely ask if there are any discounts available.

Another trick is to say you’re considering switching to a competitor. Companies don’t like losing customers to the competition, so they may offer you a special deal to stay. Be friendly but firm, and don’t be afraid to push for a better price.

Finally, check if your employer, school, or credit card offers discounts on subscriptions. Many companies have partnerships with services that could get you student pricing, employee discounts, or cashback rewards.

6. Look for Bundled Services

Bundling subscriptions is one of the easiest ways to save money without losing access to your favorite services. Many companies offer discounted packages when you subscribe to multiple services together. If you’re paying separately for things like music, TV, or cloud storage, you might be able to bundle and save.

For example, if you’re subscribed to Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, you can get all three as a bundle for less than paying individually. Similarly, Amazon Prime includes Prime Video, music streaming, and other perks, making it a great all-in-one deal if you already use those services. Even cell phone providers often have free streaming subscriptions included in their plans, so check if you’re eligible before paying extra.

You can also bundle non-entertainment subscriptions like meal delivery services or cloud storage. For example, some credit cards offer perks like free DoorDash DashPass or discounts on Instacart+. Apple users can look into Apple One, which bundles iCloud, Apple Music, and other services for less.

Before jumping on a bundle, though, make sure you actually need and use everything included. If you’re only interested in one part of the bundle, you might still be overpaying. But if you’re already paying for multiple services, bundling is a fantastic way to cut costs.

7. Use Gift Cards or Cashback Rewards

A lesser-known way to save on subscriptions is by using discounted gift cards or cashback rewards from your credit card. Many major retailers sell gift cards for streaming services, app stores, or meal delivery at a discount—meaning you get more for your money.

Websites like Raise, CardCash, or Gift Card Granny let you buy discounted gift cards for services like Netflix, Spotify, or PlayStation Plus. If you can get a $50 gift card for $40, that’s an easy 20% savings on something you were going to pay for anyway.

Another option is using a cashback credit card to pay for your subscriptions. Many rewards programs offer extra cashback on streaming services, and some even allow you to redeem points for free months of service. If you have a rewards program, check if you can cover part of your subscription costs using points instead of cash.

And finally, some retailers offer bonuses when you buy gift cards. For example, buying a $50 Hulu gift card at a grocery store might earn you extra fuel points or cashback. Little savings like these add up over time and can help keep your subscription costs low.

8. Opt for Annual Billing Instead of Monthly

If you plan to keep a subscription long-term, switching to annual billing can help you save significantly. Many services offer a discount if you pay for a full year upfront instead of going month by month. While the upfront cost is higher, the savings can be worth it.

For example, a subscription that costs $10 per month adds up to $120 per year, but many companies offer an annual plan for $100 or even less. That’s like getting two months free just for committing to the full year. Gym memberships, software subscriptions, and even cloud storage services often have annual payment discounts.

Of course, only do this for services you know you’ll use consistently. If you’re on the fence about keeping a subscription, locking yourself into an annual plan might not be worth it. And always double-check cancellation policies before committing, since some companies won’t give refunds if you change your mind.

If the upfront cost is too high, consider saving a little each month until you can afford the annual payment. Even setting aside a few extra dollars per month can make it easier to take advantage of these discounts in the future.

9. Set Reminders for Renewals and Auto-Payments

One of the sneakiest ways subscriptions drain your wallet is through auto-renewals that you forget about. Many services count on you not paying attention, quietly charging you month after month, even if you’re not using them.

The easiest way to avoid this is to set a reminder before each renewal date. Whether it’s a streaming service, a magazine, or a fitness app, mark your calendar a few days before the charge hits. That way, you have time to decide if you still want to keep it or cancel.

Another great hack? Use a prepaid debit card for your subscriptions instead of your main bank account. If there aren’t enough funds on the card, the payment won’t go through—forcing you to manually approve charges. This is a great trick for free trials, too, since it prevents companies from charging you unexpectedly.

If you find yourself constantly getting caught off guard by renewal fees, consider doing a subscription audit every three months. A quick check-in can help you stay on top of your expenses and avoid unnecessary charges before they happen.

10. Switch to Free or Cheaper Alternatives

The ultimate way to save on subscriptions? Find free or budget-friendly alternatives that give you the same value without the cost. So many services have completely free versions or cheaper options that can still meet your needs.

For music streaming, apps like Spotify and YouTube Music have free ad-supported versions. Instead of paying for Audible, try Libby or Hoopla, which offer thousands of free audiobooks through your local library. Even for fitness, you can find tons of free workout videos on YouTube instead of paying for a gym or an expensive app.

If you love beauty boxes or meal kit subscriptions, consider DIY alternatives. You can create your own “subscription box” experience by setting a monthly budget for fun splurges and choosing exactly what you want instead of getting random items.

Sometimes, saving money doesn’t mean giving up what you love—it just means getting a little creative. By switching to free or low-cost alternatives, you can still enjoy the perks of subscription services while keeping more money in your bank account.

Subscriptions are convenient, but they can also drain your wallet fast. The key to saving money isn’t giving them all up, but being intentional about what you pay for and making sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

By auditing your current subscriptions, canceling what you don’t use, and taking advantage of discounts and bundles, you can cut costs without sacrificing the things you love. And with little habits like setting reminders and finding free alternatives, you’ll never have to worry about surprise charges again.

The best part? Once you start saving on subscriptions, that money can go toward things that truly matter—whether it’s building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or treating yourself to something special.

So go ahead—take control of your subscriptions, and start keeping more of your hard-earned money where it belongs: in your pocket.

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