Too many subscriptions
Two years ago, I had too many subscriptions for my own good. Apps and services I was trained to think that I couldn’t live without. Free trials that expired and I just didn’t remember to cancel on time. I spent a few years wasting too much money for no actual reason.
That’s financial irresponsibility, but it also has to do with something more than that: FOMO.
I subscribed on Spotify when everyone kept sharing their favorite songs on Instagram stories.
Then, I got YouTube Premium to be able to consume more content on my phone without any ads and to multitask on it while watching videos.
I paid for YouCam Perfect because I thought I needed access to every single premium feature. Spoiler alert: I used them like three times in one year.
I supported Medium for years because I really thought it’d boost me as a writer and help me create valuable connections. On the contrary, I ended up being surrounded by sloppy, fake, and AI content that focused on things like… how to make money in 10 days.
I even paid for Microsoft 365 for a year, and I don’t even know what I was thinking at the time when I’m a person who only uses Word and has zero interest for the rest of the apps.
I subscribed on apps that I don’t even remember their name anymore to… take better care of myself, to get inspired, to heal – and the list goes on.
I’d see small amounts of money leaving my bank account every month, and most of the times, I’d be like ‘’Why do I even pay for this?” No good answer. “Oh, well. I might need it’’.
A harsh realization
I had an “aha” moment when I decided to keep track of my subscriptions on Notion. Probably it was either the end or the start of the year – that’s when I usually get the motivation to review my life.
When I wrote down everything, it became obvious that I’d been wasting money on things I didn’t really need or on apps that I used extremely sparsely.
I freaked out – and that’s probably an understatement.
You know how people make self-deprecating jokes about having too many subscriptions but not really owning anything? Oh, the irony, kind of thing.
Well, I was a victim of it and I had to break the cycle.
No jokes. Just actions.
How things changed
Long story short, I’ve cancelled almost every subscription with the exception being a couple of streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max. When I need an app, I prefer to own it, like Scrivener, or I just seek for a free alternative. Luckily, there are stiill plenty out there.
I can tell you one thing: I’m never going back.
I’m finally more intentional with the way I spend my money, and that’s really liberating. I’ve regained control of my finances, and I don’t longer pay for apps and services that I barely use. My email feels more clutter-free as well because it’s not filled anymore with offers, promotions, and premium perks that I’m not even interested in. So, in a way, my digital life feels more simplified too.
Final Thoughts
I don’t think that subscriptions are inherently bad. I do think that it’s easy though to get carried away, and end up to overconsumption, digital clutter, and bad spending habits. So, I don’t plan to stay away from subscriptions for the rest of my life. I only plan to be way more intentional about the apps I use, and about how long I’m interested in keeping a subscription.
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Until next time!
