In today's world of subscriptions!

[tabas]

---

These are the normal subscriptions and if you're not yet contented with netflix, there's also disney+ that has a lot of promos if you subscribe for an annual pay. 

Sometimes there are 1-year subscriptions with discounts of 20% to 30%, but for me that's too much, so I always subscribe on a monthly basis.

I think if you're going to use that for productivity or entertainment that you truly like. That's a huge discount but then, sometimes we can't max out the usage of our subscriptions and we're the same, I'm paying on a monthly basis even if there's lesser to no discount at all.

That is the advantage of paid subscriptions, they're safe and nothing to worry about these malware that's attached to the videos or files you download.

This is what I'm really worried about. Besides, when you watch movies from pirated sites, the quality is poor, unlike when you watch movies from a subscription service, where you can enjoy HD 1080P image quality.

That's true. It's the same with the games, if paid, then you expect the normal to best quality + additional paid DLCs if you want to complete more. While with the pirated ones, you can get them for free, but it's not advisable. If you like protection, go with the paid one,s and it's also a good thing to support these platforms because they've got employees that you're helping with that subscription.

[Nirmiti]

~snip~
But it got me thinking of subscriptions in general. These days everything has to be subscribed to. Television, music, software, storage, gaming, and others. My question is, are these subscriptions actually worth it? Are you actually getting your money's worth?

I only subscribe to what I need and I feel I get what I pay for. Someone might subscribe to all possible streaming services and then watch one or two, which is not a very smart decision - someone else will watch all streaming services, but in such a way that they will always be subscribed to only one of them.

Someone may feel cheated in the sense that they are paying too much and not getting what they paid for, but that is a subjective assessment of each individual. Fortunately, the choice is very large today, if you don't like something or think it's too expensive, simply subscribe to something else.

Yea, that really depends on how you use it. In my case, my subscriptions are only worth it when I am being active. When I can barely touch a service and it just sits there then it is pretty much a waste of money. The gimmicky part of it is that these month to the month charges can pile up unintentionally and as such, it could be easy to continue paying up on things we do not need. I aim to check mine about every couple of months or so and cancel things that I am not using. The good part is that we do not have to wait now to do something with alternatives, and it is quite easy to switch or to wait.

[dezoel]

Not spending money on useless stuff if you do not want to, is ok. But if you want to, do not think that THIS is the reason why you are poor. The world changed way too much, the expenses quadrupled since our fathers time, to today, while the salary barely got to double, meaning we are spending twice as much for the same thing, while earning basically the same in logic. Don't get me started on school and housing prices, those are in a whole another level.

So believe me when I say this, it's really not a good period to be earning money. So if you really want a few subscriptions, then you are going to get that, and nothing will matter. It's just not that complicated and we can definitely end up with some small simpler solutions. It is not going to be saving you, just to save 50 bucks.

[bubilas]

The first episode of the newest season of Black Mirror, a sci-fi series that often present concepts of human nature incorporated with technology in a satirical manner, is about a woman who got into an accident and had a brain injury. They were then offered a solution to keep her alive and functioning with a technology they have to subscribe to. The catch? There are higher tiers of subscriptions. Those in lower tiers have ads and have limited features. I really recommend this series particularly this episode.

But it got me thinking of subscriptions in general. These days everything has to be subscribed to. Television, music, software, storage, gaming, and others. My question is, are these subscriptions actually worth it? Are you actually getting your money's worth?

I am here to tell you that companies are actually getting more from you when you subscribe to their services. Why? First of all, for some reasons we humans tend to subscribe to something and then forget about it immediately. How many subscriptions have you forgotten to cancel?

Second, when you are subscribed to something in a certain amount of time you might not really use it as much as you thought you would. You might be too comfortable that the service is just there and easily accessible therefore not really making the most out of it. Like in a gym membership where you pay for the whole month but you only go for a few times.

Third, subscriptions are usually in bundles. There is no real transparency and you are not really getting a real breakdown of the costs. But we pay anyway. Are they actually worth it or we just do not have a choice anymore in a world where everything has to be subscribed to?

I'm one of those people who keeps an electronic calendar with complete notes on the end and start of all the subscriptions I have.
I know exactly when my music subscription will end, as well as my subscription to advanced features in the banking app., shops, markets...
This is because I like to collect these subscriptions for free in promotional campaigns and never renew them for a fee.
In the modern world, there are a lot of promotions where they give away free subscriptions and you can get promotional codes from different sources, thanks to which you never have to pay for these subscriptions.

[Inwestour]

Subscriptions have become a part of our daily lives now, everybody pays for subscriptions in one way or another, there's nothing we can do about it. Some subscrions are necessities while some are wasteful, everybody have to determine what subscriptions are important to them and subscribed services that they have the time to utilize.

Many people pay for TV subscriptions but never get the time to watch it and at the end of the month it'll expire and the money will be wasted. Monthly or weekly subscriptions are mostly wasteful because it's not possible to use the service for 24 hours of everyday, nobody has that time. Subscriptions like data are essential because you're charged only when you use it but what you choose your data for is another thing, some people watch irrelevant things that adds no value to them.

I have refused almost all subscriptions, I used them before to try how convenient it is and whether it is necessary for me, but when I tried it, I realized that I can do without it. After unsubscribing, I did not feel any discomfort, so I can say that this is a business and marketing that attracts new users. Although for someone it may seem very convenient when you subscribe and get access to new films or something else. The only thing I like is subscribing to sports channels.

[junder]

Yea, that really depends on how you use it. In my case, my subscriptions are only worth it when I am being active. When I can barely touch a service and it just sits there then it is pretty much a waste of money. The gimmicky part of it is that these month to the month charges can pile up unintentionally and as such, it could be easy to continue paying up on things we do not need. I aim to check mine about every couple of months or so and cancel things that I am not using. The good part is that we do not have to wait now to do something with alternatives, and it is quite easy to switch or to wait.

I think subscribing only if you truly need it is the right option, because that's what I've experienced. I tried subscribing yesterday, but I didn't really need it because I only used it occasionally. Then, with the mounting bill, I realized I needed it and chose to cancel it because I didn't really need it.
One thing I still choose to subscribe to is Wi-Fi, because it's something I really need, primarily for work, and it has other positive aspects as well.

[libert19]

...
One thing I still choose to subscribe to is Wi-Fi, because it's something I really need, primarily for work, and it has other positive aspects as well.

Wi-Fi/Internet has become a necessity, if you don't use Internet in this age, you are putting yourself at disadvantage. If any subscription makes your life easier, then it's not waste of resources.

[WillyAp]

Wi-Fi/Internet has become a necessity, if you don't use Internet in this age, you are putting yourself at disadvantage. If any subscription makes your life easier, then it's not waste of resources.

We offer to monitor e_commerce, websites and most people do not wish to have monitoring.
With us you avoid being hacked. People behave similar to reckless motorbike riding, sandals, t-shirt and no helmet.

[harapan]

But it got me thinking of subscriptions in general. These days everything has to be subscribed to. Television, music, software, storage, gaming, and others. My question is, are these subscriptions actually worth it? Are you actually getting your money's worth?

Subscription ain't meant to last and they actually worth it it's just that an individual after successful subscription won't be available enough to get the fun they've signed up for, and also we may find ourselves busy with things that we tend not to enjoy our subscription bit there's nothing wrong with it, let's say out of 100% you enjoy 50% of it then it actually worth it.

[shinratensei_]

But it got me thinking of subscriptions in general. These days everything has to be subscribed to. Television, music, software, storage, gaming, and others. My question is, are these subscriptions actually worth it? Are you actually getting your money's worth?

Subscription ain't meant to last and they actually worth it it's just that an individual after successful subscription won't be available enough to get the fun they've signed up for, and also we may find ourselves busy with things that we tend not to enjoy our subscription bit there's nothing wrong with it, let's say out of 100% you enjoy 50% of it then it actually worth it.

That's true and it's a fact. The most used business model these days is subscription and hoping the subscriber forgot what they even subscribed for.
This happen on gym, streaming platform, and others. It's effective until the people who signed up for subscription actually take advantage of what they subscribed in the first place and then the business become low profit margin.

I only see the worth of subscription in streaming platform like netflix only twice a year though, at the start of the year and in the middle of the year since I can watch all the movie I want and then forget it until there's some good movies coming out.
Monthly subscription in my opinion is a rip off. You definitely not gonna take advantage the plan fully.

[crwth]

From a business point of view, I think the subscription model is the best way to ensure that you have a monthly income from your subscribers, which will keep your business afloat.

In terms of the consumer side, I don't think it is the best way to have a service that you use continuously, because a one-time payment that is understandable in price is already enough.

I guess you have to find the balance where you could pay for an indefinite license or pay monthly, and then make sure that you disconnect it from your credit card or something.

For the black mirror reference, that is really what is happening in the world, and I hope it is reasonable and not that much of a premium.

[Strongkored]

Are they actually worth it or we just do not have a choice anymore in a world where everything has to be subscribed to?

I only subscribe to things that are interesting and important to me.
If I think that next month I won't benefit from the subscription, I will stop it immediately and resubscribe the following month or whenever there is an event that I like.
For example, I subscribe to sports TV only during major tennis matches like Grand Slams or when I know my work schedule is not busy so I can watch it.
Another example is subscribing to one of the channels on YouTube only when there are more than 3 special subscription videos, so I don't feel like I'm wasting money just to watch 1 video.

[Free Market Capitalist]

But it got me thinking of subscriptions in general. These days everything has to be subscribed to. Television, music, software, storage, gaming, and others. My question is, are these subscriptions actually worth it? Are you actually getting your money's worth?

I keep them down to a minimum. Never underestimate what are often called “petty expenses.” You sign up for one thing because it's only $9.99 a month, then another similar thing, and then another, and another, and in the end, you don't even use 10% of what you've subscribed to. I think you do get some value out of it if you use it well, because with platforms like Netflix or Max, for example, you have access to everything that used to be a whole video store for cheap. So they're worth it, but you have to manage your subscriptions wisely.

[eightdots]

But it got me thinking of subscriptions in general. These days everything has to be subscribed to. Television, music, software, storage, gaming, and others. My question is, are these subscriptions actually worth it? Are you actually getting your money's worth?

I keep them down to a minimum. Never underestimate what are often called “petty expenses.” You sign up for one thing because it's only $9.99 a month, then another similar thing, and then another, and another, and in the end, you don't even use 10% of what you've subscribed to. I think you do get some value out of it if you use it well, because with platforms like Netflix or Max, for example, you have access to everything that used to be a whole video store for cheap. So they're worth it, but you have to manage your subscriptions wisely.

Keeping these expenses to a minimum significantly helps your budget. Many subscriptions aren't used regularly, but they are paid for. These fees may seem small at first, but as the number of subscriptions increases, they grow. If you're paying for something you use regularly, it's beneficial to continue, as the amount you're paying for that subscription is beneficial. However, if you're subscribing to things you don't use regularly, it's beneficial to cancel them for the sake of your budget.

People should periodically check their subscriptions, as these subscriptions can be easily forgotten due to their low cost.

[lizarder]

Second, when you are subscribed to something in a certain amount of time you might not really use it as much as you thought you would. You might be too comfortable that the service is just there and easily accessible therefore not really making the most out of it. Like in a gym membership where you pay for the whole month but you only go for a few times.

Third, subscriptions are usually in bundles. There is no real transparency and you are not really getting a real breakdown of the costs. But we pay anyway. Are they actually worth it or we just do not have a choice anymore in a world where everything has to be subscribed to?

Electricity tokens, internet, and TV are starting to develop subscription-based features, even though they're used continuously. I see an imbalance in the aspect of gym memberships, where even if you don't attend, you still have to pay. While this system continues to evolve in our lives today, it's not always detrimental, as it can sometimes be quite advantageous compared to paying per session. Whether or not a system like this is worth it can be measured based on the amount of costs incurred, whether using a daily or subscription method, so we know the total amount.

I've also seen school pick-up and drop-off services that use a monthly payment system, and it's much more profitable for parents than paying daily. So, in certain contexts, the profit can be measured based on daily versus monthly expenses, so we know which is more profitable.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Well I'm a bad person here because I don't subscribe any apps, instead I use pirated version.

People have been pirating movies, music, and whatever else since the 90s (and that's just as far back as I can remember).  It kind of surprises me that piracy has taken a huge chunk of profit out of the music business and yet that industry never really cracked down on piracy in earnest.  There was a time when people were getting sued, but that didn't last for long.  That tells me that pretty much nobody cares if stuff gets pirated, including the government.

What I hate, absolutely hate, is that this subscription model has been adopted by so many industries because it's such a money-maker.  I've heard about having to subscribe to having your seats heated in the car that you bought....and damned if that isn't taking things way too far IMO.

[Iamgoat]

Yea, that really depends on how you use it. In my case, my subscriptions are only worth it when I am being active. When I can barely touch a service and it just sits there then it is pretty much a waste of money. The gimmicky part of it is that these month to the month charges can pile up unintentionally and as such, it could be easy to continue paying up on things we do not need. I aim to check mine about every couple of months or so and cancel things that I am not using. The good part is that we do not have to wait now to do something with alternatives, and it is quite easy to switch or to wait.

As a consumer, it depends on the options available to you. When you have te option of paying one time subscriptions for services you patronise very frequently, go for it. For instance if you have the option of subscribing for a one time payment of subscription, I know many won't mind as much as they can afford it even if it will cost them a lot. But when such option is made available, many might not be able to afford it and the companies may also not see the real profit in it, because it seems like they enjoy more of monthly to yearly subscriptions than the one time, although the option of unlimited is also reasonable. Many of us avoid subscribing for unlimited access because of the money but end up expending more than they budgeted for the month. But there would be no point making subscriptions that you will not use so you can allocate the funds for something else.

Not spending money on useless stuff if you do not want to, is ok. But if you want to, do not think that THIS is the reason why you are poor. The world changed way too much, the expenses quadrupled since our fathers time, to today, while the salary barely got to double, meaning we are spending twice as much for the same thing, while earning basically the same in logic. Don't get me started on school and housing prices, those are in a whole another level.

So believe me when I say this, it's really not a good period to be earning money. So if you really want a few subscriptions, then you are going to get that, and nothing will matter. It's just not that complicated and we can definitely end up with some small simpler solutions. It is not going to be saving you, just to save 50 bucks.

My ultimate goal these days is to have some savings for my discretionary fund, any subscriptions I'm going to do which will affect such goals will not be attended to unless if it is paramount. The life we're living today is not the dream we once wished for because even when you think you're achieving your goals, your environment will still have to hit you with some realities which you're not happy with. So, we are now living life based on priorities and what action is stronger than the other and that is how we are also making our decisions, henceforth.

[Churchillvv]

What I hate, absolutely hate, is that this subscription model has been adopted by so many industries because it's such a money-maker.

I have just realized that the model of subscription this days are not even adding any new features that will urge you to subscribe unlike before when subscription was based on new updates right, now they remove major features from the apps or whatever which ordinarily was free and force those who might need it to subscribe. I use an application for video editing and everyday I get notifications to update to the latest version and basically I know that the old version still serves me so I refused updating. Just to realized from my mates in college that once I update every thing I enjoy freely on the old version will be subscription features, I’m like what the heck? No new features? And it has been so with many apps.

[Alpha Marine]

It kind of surprises me that piracy has taken a huge chunk of profit out of the music business and yet that industry never really cracked down on piracy in earnest.  There was a time when people were getting sued, but that didn't last for long.  That tells me that pretty much nobody cares if stuff gets pirated, including the government.

I feel like the government are the ones supposed to fight these things. I mean, I do not truly know how it works, but I understand that the government are supposed to be the ones who make the environment better for people to do business. That is why people pay huge taxes, and the more business and money you make, the more taxes you pay. But since the government are not the one losing the money, they don't pay attention to it.
It's worse because only governments of developed countries care about piracy; the underdeveloped countries don't care at all, and the majority of piracy goes on in these countries. Illegal sports streaming sites, illegal movie and music sites.

In all of this, I find music piracy more annoying. I don't think there is any platform where you can subscribe to movies and TV shows where you get all the movies, but with a music streaming platform, like Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube Music, you get every single song for just over a dollar a month, yet people still pirate them. Why? To what ends?

[Plaguedeath]

People have been pirating movies, music, and whatever else since the 90s (and that's just as far back as I can remember).  It kind of surprises me that piracy has taken a huge chunk of profit out of the music business and yet that industry never really cracked down on piracy in earnest.  There was a time when people were getting sued, but that didn't last for long.  That tells me that pretty much nobody cares if stuff gets pirated, including the government.

What I hate, absolutely hate, is that this subscription model has been adopted by so many industries because it's such a money-maker.  I've heard about having to subscribe to having your seats heated in the car that you bought....and damned if that isn't taking things way too far IMO.

It's kind of surprising how the entities who fight against copyright and piracy e.g. SOPA, PIPA and other organizations in other countries are cherry picking. Even though criminals can create bunch new accounts, but as long as there are many employees who shutdown every account that broke the copyright, it's possible.

Nowadays, I only see the original creator sued other entity or big content creator who use their arts. So, these organizations are only waiting the report from original creators, instead of catching by their own.

I think subscription model is fine as long as they also give us an option to purchase the product permanently, unfortunately many of them only sell subscription.