Nowadays, you can enjoy a subscription-based service on anything, from food to health to entertainment. While the subscription services are helpful, they can quickly add up, and by the time you realize it, you have a huge amount of money to pay.
Luckily, you don't need to drown in subscriptions. Here are six tips to help you manage your monthly subscription-based services.
1. Review Your Subscriptions Regularly
It's possible to sign up for many subscriptions and forget about the ones that you rarely use. This means that you may end up paying for services that you no longer need.
A regular review is a great option if you have many subscriptions. Write down all the subscription services you use, and arrange them in the order of their importance. Do you need them all? You may be surprised how many services you rarely use and can save money by dropping the service or finding a lower subscription level that fits how you currently use it.
During your review, you should also check for possible price hikes on the subscriptions. Though you might still get a notification on your phone or email in case of a price increase, you should review the price change to know if it's still worth it for you.
If the service has become too costly, do not hesitate to drop it off and check the alternatives. This way, you will manage your subscriptions well without breaking the bank.
2. Pay Upfront
Many subscription service providers allow users to pay upfront. Let's say you pay for the next two months, six months, or even a year.
Upfront payment saves you the monthly budgeting inconveniences, especially when you have many other bills to pay. It can be costly to pay for all your subscription services at once, but often those payments come at a discounted rate. Account for the cost up front so you don’t have to worry about it throughout the year.
If you are not sure about upfront payments for your subscriptions services, consult the customer care team to know more about it and manage your subscriptions in a better way.
3. Utilize a Budgeting App
A budgeting app helps you to track your money and spending habits. The app can be an excellent option if you think you are spending too much on monthly subscriptions because it will help you plan better.
The app should keep real-time information in one place, track your payment progress, and even send timely payment alerts. When using the app, payment mistakes will be fewer because you can easily track and review your spending.
4. Use One Card for All Your Subscriptions
Let's face it, it can be hard to keep track of all your subscriptions if you use different cards for each of them. You can easily track your spending when using a single card because even the statements will be easier to review.
If possible, you may apply for another credit card which you could only use for the payments of your subscription. Consolidate your fees under one roof to keep an eye on where your dollars are being spent on a recurring basis.
5. Don't Forget About Free Trials
It's easy to sign up for a free trial and forget about it. There's nothing wrong with that, but the problem arises when you accept automatic renewal when the free trial is over.
You will always be paying for that service even when you don't need it. Remember free trials or avoid providing your financial details when signing up altogether to be on the safe side.
6. Negotiate For Better Rates
Did you know that you can negotiate for better rates for your subscription services? It's easy to do and could save you so much money in the long run.
You only need to call the service provider and request for favorable rates. You can also utilize the chat service. But before then, you can check past customer reviews on Google to know if the service provider accepts negotiations.
At Liberty Savings Bank, we help our customers to create and manage their budgets well. If you need help in budget creation and financial management, please visit our offices or contact us today!
