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10 Useless Subscriptions You Should Cancel Right Now

Take these easy steps to keep your hard-earned money in your bank account.

african american couple sitting on couch at home using remote while watching tv
Updated Dec. 30, 2024
Fact checked

When your paycheck takes a hit, it is tempting to blame inflation. But is it possible that unnecessary subscriptions are draining your savings?

It is easy to accumulate subscriptions and then forget that you're paying for them each month. Add up the cost, and you might discover that subscriptions take a bigger toll on your budget than you thought.

Following are some useless subscriptions you can drop today to quickly boost your bank account.

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Cable TV

Evelien/Adobe woman sitting on couch at home watching tv

Most of us watch only a fraction of the channels that come with our cable TV plan. The good news is that there are many ways to enjoy television shows without paying for that subscription.

Some free shows are available on sites such as YouTube or on a TV network’s website. You might have to deal with commercials, but the savings are often worth the hassle.

Switching to a streaming service also might save you money.

Premium streaming services

wutzkoh/Adobe woman sitting on couch using laptop to browse netflix

Yes, switching from traditional cable to a streaming service can sometimes save you money. But depending on your viewing habits, there are also a lot of streaming services that might not be worth the expense.

To cut the cost, look for streaming platforms that offer free entertainment or a lower cost for those who are willing to watch commercials.

Gym membership

Travis/Adobe gym with dumbells and machines

Gym memberships come with a monthly expense that can really add up over a year. Instead of opting for a workout at the gym, consider putting together an at-home gym on a budget.

Or if you’re a fan of cardio, try running or walking outside instead. You’ll get fresh air and save money at the same time. It’s a win-win.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

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Music services

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Music streaming services can be a much less expensive way to enjoy tunes than buying CDs or vinyl records.

Many of these music services do come with a monthly subscription fee. But the good news is that you can often avoid this cost if you’re willing to deal with commercials.

Free shipping plans

Leika production/Adobe man standing at door receiving parcels from delivery boy

Services such as Amazon Prime and Walmart+ let you pay a flat monthly or annual fee for unlimited free shipping.

Such a plan can be an excellent choice if you regularly purchase from an online retailer. But if you don’t use them often, it might be time to cancel.

And if you do cancel, remember that you can often access free shipping as long as you spend a minimum amount on your order.

Meal kit plans

Fevziie/Adobe lunch boxes with healthy meals on wooden table

The premise of meal kit plans is enticing: You can access home-cooked meals without menu planning or visiting the store.

However, the tradeoff is that you have to pay a monthly fee. If you are ready to commit to a weekly trip to the grocery store and a little meal planning, save money by canceling your meal kit subscription.

Online magazines and newspapers

Kaspars Grinvalds/Adobe man sitting on floor reading magazine on tablet

It’s admirable to support journalism. But if you need to save money, canceling or pausing your newspaper subscription might be worth it.

See if your favorite news source offers free access to a specific amount of articles each month. If not, you can likely find high-quality news and entertainment elsewhere online for free.

To access a specific news source or magazine without the cost of a subscription, check with your local library. It might have free access to a digital subscription for library patrons.

Warehouse club memberships

mandritoiu/Adobe napkins and paper towels for sale at shelves inside costco store

Financial experts often tout warehouse club memberships as a way to save money on groceries and other expenses. However, it is important to evaluate if you are really saving money.

In many cases, you can save just as much cash at traditional grocery stores with a little strategic shopping and the use of coupons.

Pet services

Yakobchuk Olena/Adobe A dog balances a ball on his forehead

Pets deserve the best. But if you are ready to lower your monthly expenses, consider canceling your pet subscription box.

The good news is that your pet doesn’t know if its new toy came from a subscription box or the local store. There are other ways to spoil your furry friend without paying a monthly fee.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Digital games

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe man sitting at table playing game on desktop computer while wearing headset

Those who like playing games on their phone or online might have a monthly subscription to a digital game service.

But if money is tight, it can make sense to cancel your subscription and find free versions of games instead.

Bottom line

Antonioguillem/Adobe woman using laptop for online payment while holding card

It’s essential to separate monthly subscriptions that are important from those you barely use. You might save hundreds of dollars each month by dropping the unnecessary subscriptions.

Eliminating these extra costs is a great way to reduce your financial stress during trying times.


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