I signed up for like 10 subscription boxes thinking they’d all be amazing.
Then I got boxes I didn’t need. Products I wouldn’t use. Stuff that felt wasteful.
I realized most subscriptions are not worth the ongoing cost.
But there ARE a few that are actually good.
Worth the monthly or quarterly fee.
I cut down to the ones I actually use and enjoy.
Now I have realistic expectations and don’t feel wasteful.
Best subscriptions: Thrive Market (organic groceries, 25% commission), MasterClass (learning, 25%), subscription coffee (if you drink coffee), beauty boxes (if you actually use it), meal delivery (if time is worth it). Skip: most trendy boxes, overcomplicated boxes, ones you don’t actually use.
Subscriptions seem good initially.
But:
The best subscriptions are ones you WANT to use, not ones you feel obligated to.
Thrive Market (€60-120/year)
Organic whole foods delivered.
€60/year basic or €120 for full benefits.
Actually saves money if you buy organic anyway.
Quality is good. Delivery is reliable.
Skip if: you don’t buy organic or have good grocery access.
MasterClass (€180/year)
Online courses from experts (cooking, writing, business, etc).
€15/month or cheaper with annual.
Actually valuable if you want to learn.
Skip if: you don’t actually watch courses.
Coffee Subscription
If you drink coffee daily, subscription gets you good coffee delivered.
€30-50 per month usually.
Skip if: you drink coffee occasionally or have good local option.
Meal Delivery Service
HelloFresh, EveryPlate, Factor, etc.
€10-15 per meal delivered.
Skip if: you don’t want to cook or prefer different food than offered.
Beauty Box
Ipsy, Birchbox, Sephora Play.
€10-15 per month.
Actually fun if you like trying new products.
Skip if: you don’t use beauty products or already have too many.
Trendy boxes: Boxes that are trendy this month but boring next.
Overly specific boxes: “Weird snacks from Japan” type boxes. Novelty wears off.
Boxes you don’t use: If you’re not using it, cancel. Guilt isn’t worth it.
Duplicates: Don’t get 3 beauty boxes. One is enough.
Luxury boxes: Fine & Rare or luxury boxes at €100+ per month. Not worth ongoing cost.
Would you buy these items separately?
If no, don’t subscribe.
Will you actually use it?
Be honest. If you won’t, cancel.
Is the per-item value worth it?
Calculate cost per product. Is it fair value?
Can you cancel easily?
If cancellation is hard, skip it.
Do you need commitment or can you cancel anytime?
Month-to-month is better than annual lock-in.
What’s the actual cost?
Some seem cheap until you do math. €15/month = €180/year.
If you have:
Total: €900/year
That’s a car payment basically.
Be selective. Only subscriptions you truly use.
Depends. One or two focused subscriptions: maybe. Five random boxes: definitely not.
Month-to-month gives flexibility. Annual saves money but commits you.
Review it quarterly. Are you using it? Is it worth the cost? Cancel if not.
Some do gift versions. Usually cheaper for one month.
Set a monthly reminder to check. Cancel forgotten ones.
I have:
That’s it. €300 per year total.
I evaluated everything else and either don’t use or don’t need.
This is sustainable and valuable.
Most people can do 1-2 subscriptions max.
Subscriptions sound good but often aren’t worth it.
Only keep subscriptions you actually use.
Evaluate quarterly.
Cancel guilt-free if you’re not using it.
That subscription money could go to something better.
Go through your subscriptions right now.
How many are you actually using?
Cancel the ones you’re not.
Save that money.
Keep only the subscriptions that genuinely add value to your life.
What subscriptions do you have? Are you actually using them? Tell me in the comments!