How to Decide Whether to Keep or Cancel a Subscription
Not sure whether a subscription is worth keeping? Use this framework to decide.
The Five-Question Test
1. When did I last use this?
If the answer is “I can’t remember,” it’s probably time to cancel.
2. Would I sign up for this today?
Remove the sunk cost. If you discovered this service today at this price, would you subscribe?
3. Is there a free alternative?
Many paid services have free versions or alternatives that cover 80% of the functionality.
4. Does this overlap with something else I have?
Multiple streaming services, project management tools, or cloud storage services often overlap significantly.
5. Is the value proportional to the cost?
A $15/month service you use daily is better value than a $5/month service you use once a month.
The Decision Matrix
- Use frequently + high value → Keep
- Use occasionally + affordable → Consider downgrading
- Rarely use + any price → Cancel
- Never use → Cancel immediately
When in Doubt, Cancel
You can always re-subscribe. But the money saved in the meantime is real.
Review Regularly
Subscriptions that make sense today might not in six months. Revisit your decisions quarterly.