Get a Handle on Subscription Costs

We're all creatures of habit, so much so that research shows nearly half of everything we do in a day is habitual. Subscriptions cater to that behavior, seamlessly charging us monthly or annually for an ongoing product or service.

Most likely you're no stranger to the subscription model. From music, TV and audiobook streaming to your monthly toilet paper delivery, you can subscribe to more today than ever before. While some subscriptions provide real value, there's a good chance that you have at least a couple of subscriptions you no longer use on a regular basis.

The pandemic drove a surge in popularity for subscriptions, especially for stay-at-home services, such as grocery delivery, and some of it stuck. For example, meal kit orders were up 36% as of June 2022 compared with January 2020, according to a recent study in the Columbia Business Journal.

Many businesses automatically renew your subscription if you don't cancel before the next billing cycle, sometimes without notifying you. That can take a toll on your finances, especially at a time when providers are raising prices.