Maximize your subscriptions with a few small tweaks

It seems that everyone gets something by subscription these days. Entertainment, food (meals, meat, produce — and don’t even get us started on the sub-categories), makeup, clothing, pet care, and a whole lot of miscellaneous others seem to find their way into our homes year-round. In fact, these conveniences tend to become so much a part of our landscapes that we tend to forget their impact to our bottom line.

Annual payments for your digital apps and services may cost less per month than paying 12 times over the year, but if you don’t use a whole year of a particular app and service, it’s not such a great deal. What if we thought about subscriptions a little differently — almost seasonally? We asked some UBT employees about their approach to subscription boxes and got some great ideas.

Entertainment

UBTers with busy families love subscribing to streaming services during the winter months when outdoor activities are limited, thereby maximizing entertainment value while saving big money on those subscription fees during the months they’re less likely to use them. Conversely, Christmas movie buffs find plenty of festive favorites on network TV during the holidays, while streaming series and movies lends itself well to summers at the lake. Audiobooks and online magazines could be addressed the same way; if you find your supply is stockpiling certain times of the year, it may be to your benefit to scale back to just months when you have more time to read/listen. One last tip: If you really plan ahead, you can add a streaming service subscription when there’s a series or movie you really want to see and then drop it again when you’re between shows.

Food

The consensus here is, instead of shelling out cash every month for food you might not even have time to cook, why not subscribe during your busiest seasons of the year? For some of our team members, home meal kits are the go-to during hectic months at work, while others gravitate toward the pre-prepped options in the summer when they are far too busy soaking up the sun and shuttling the family to activities to worry about dinner. You could approach local produce — or any of the food boxes — the same way by utilizing the service only when it makes the most sense for your budget, lifestyle, and of course, your palate; after all, it’s never a good deal if you don’t eat it. One thoughtful UBT team member uses a three-month snack box subscription to keep her college grad in midterm snacks, the rest of the family in movie munchies, and then puts together fun teacher gifts with the rest. Talk about stretching a buck!

Clothing

Clothing rental purchase subscriptions are all the rage, and while new clothes every month (or even every quarter) can be super exciting, it can also add up over the course of a year, possibly totaling more than you would otherwise spend in this category. One savvy UBT team member users a clothing rental subscription in the spring and summer months to supply herself with beautiful new dresses for weddings, galas, and graduations, then bids it adieu until the following year. Similarly, a trendy intern we know is using a different clothing subscription to get a head-start on a working wardrobe, purchasing only the pieces that she can truly get some mileage out of. With either approach (or a similar one), you can refresh your wardrobe and save some dollars.

Makeup and skincare

Makeup and skincare subscriptions hold an inexplicable draw for so many of our team members. However, you can amass a huge stockpile of both categories while quietly sucking up funds — and remember, most of these items do expire! A three-month subscription to one of the large subscriptions that incudes full-sized products beginning in September or October gives you a nice treat for yourself, plus lovely girlfriend or sister gifts for the holidays. Another option is to go for the glam during the same season you’re renting your party dresses for a fresh new look.

Lifestyle

Another type of subscription is the ever-popular lifestyle box — you know the one — where you are able to select clothing, cosmetics, wellness, jewelry, etc. While these surprise-and-delight bundles may arrive monthly or quarterly and are no doubt a bargain for the price, they’re only a great deal if you would spend the money on similar items anyway. We know a couple of clever shoppers who order two a year: one as Christmas gifts and one as a gift to themselves. You could even use this type of a service as your gift-giving plan year-round, provided it aligns with the amount you’d usually spend on gifts and your recipients would be pleased.

This same principle of optimizing your subscription usage can be applied to any category of subscription — we’ve only touched on a few here. It’s really all about finding what works best for you and your lifestyle. By being intentional about when you subscribe to these services, you’ll not only save money but also maximize your enjoyment and convenience. For more help keeping track of your subscriptions and looking for ways to cut back, download our free subscription audit to manage and track yours. Happy shopping!