Subscriptions are scary. Why? Because you tend to only see the monthly fee when you sign up for their services. You think, “oh, it’s only $15 a month, that’s totally affordable.” But when you think of it on an annual basis, you are actually paying $180 a year. If you saw when you sign up that it would cost you $180 per year, would you still think it’s cheap? Maybe you do. Maybe you think “$180 a year isn’t that much. Not a big deal.”, but what if you subscribe to a number of things? Magazine for $10 a month, TV streaming services for $20 a month, your own website for $20 a month and maybe some Saas for $15 a month. Things then quickly add up to almost $1,000 a year.
The question to ask yourself is, ‘are these subscription absolutely necessary?’ Basic things like rent, electricity and water (though not a subscription) are necessary, but what about the magazine? Do you really need it? Perhaps you need that website for work, but can you cut out cable? Landlines? Netflix?
Sometimes, you need to reassess what you’ve subscribed to. Maybe it was important in the past, but technology is advancing, with a lots of freebie opportunities.
Communication Alternatives
- Skype (credits must be purchased to call to a phone number, but it is super cheap)
- Zoom (can host up to 100 participants, group meetings for up to 40 minutes and unlimited one-on-one meetings)
- Google Hangouts
- Whatsapp (unfortunately, video calling is not available on desktop)
- Facebook Messenger
- Slack
Microsoft Office Alternative
- free open source Open Office
- Google (personal accounts are free. Businesses will use the Google Workplace, formerly G Suite for a fee)
Images/Videos Stock Alternatives (free)
- Pixabay
- Unsplash
- Pexels
- Free Images
- Flat Icon (attribution required for free account)
If you’re trying to cut down on costs, see the things you’re spending on subscription services and see if you can cut any out because their unnecessary or can be replaced by a cheaper or free alternative. Also, keep track of what you’re subscribed to, especially when you sign up to a free trial. Set reminders on when those trials end, so that you don’t start paying for a subscription that wasn’t necessary.
