Useless expenses, unwanted subscriptions, and recurring fees that you should drop Debt Guru

As the year comes to an end, there comes a time when the old gives way to the new. It also provides an opportunity to look back and think about things, not only about our personal habits and earnings, but also about our internet and money habits.

Here’s a carefully crafted guide on cutting back on extras when we say goodbye to the year.

1. Streaming services

Many of us enjoy watching shows and movies on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or Hulu. But these subscriptions can add up. For those who want to save, there are free sites like Netflix where you can watch movies without paying a dime. They may not have the latest releases, but there is still a lot to enjoy.

2. Magazine subscriptions

Magazines can be fun to read, but many now put their articles online for free. If a magazine keeps its articles behind a paywall, consider whether it’s worth the cost when there are so many free articles online covering similar topics.

3. Unused gym memberships

If you sign up for a gym but don’t go there often, it may be time to cancel your membership. Consider switching to a pay-as-you-go option instead.

This way, you only pay when you actually go. By the way, there are a lot of free training videos online that can help you stay fit without spending money.

4. Monthly Fund subscriptions

Monthly box subscriptions can be a fun surprise in the mail, but over time they may lose their appeal or usefulness. It’s a good idea to evaluate whether these boxes are still bringing happiness or are just accumulating unused. If it’s the latter, it may be time to cancel.

5. App subscriptions

It’s easy to accumulate app subscriptions on our devices. However, not all of them offer value worth their cost.

Often times, the free versions of these apps are just as good as the paid versions. It’s a good idea to review your app subscriptions and cancel those that don’t add much to your day.

6. Online courses

Online courses provide a structured path to acquiring a new skill or area of ​​knowledge. However, much of the information found in paid courses can also be found for free online. It would be best to get your feet wet and learn the ropes by actually doing it.

If there are courses you paid for but haven’t started yet, or platforms you no longer use, it may be time to cancel those subscriptions. Moving from theoretical learning to practical experience is often the most beneficial and effective way to learn.

7. Premium social media subscriptions

Some social media platforms have premium versions that cost money. If these features aren’t used often, it may be a good idea to downgrade to the free version.

8. Music streaming services

Paying for music streaming services may seem unnecessary when all the music you enjoy is available on platforms like YouTube for free. Sure, there are ads, but bearing an ad or two can be a small price to pay compared to the monthly subscription fee.

If ads don’t bother you too much, you may find that canceling paid music streaming services and switching to free platforms can be a smart way to save some money.

9. Software subscriptions

Some software subscriptions may not be necessary if they are not used often. It’s worth checking if there are free alternatives that work too.

10. Automatic renewals

It’s easy to forget about automatic renewals for various services. It’s good practice to check all automatic payments, including those set up through PayPal, to ensure there are no surprises. If services are no longer needed, canceling before they automatically renew can prevent unwanted charges.

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