Send me in for a quick toothpaste run, and I’ll reemerge 45 minutes later clutching vitamins, cosmetics, a novelty onesie and four boxes of Cap’n Crunch. (It’s rude not to grab them when they’re buy one, get one free, right?)
Almost always, what should’ve been a $5 errand balloons into $50.
Luckily, I know I’m prone to impulse purchases, so I arrange for everyday necessities to arrive through subscription services to reduce my temptation.
Am I still craving Cap’n Crunch now that I seldom wander into stores? Absolutely.
Am I cutting costs? In more ways than I expected.
The 5 Best Subscription Boxes for Saving Money
Services like Birchbox and Le Tote specialize in luring you into wanting things you don’t truly need. But some monthly subscription boxes can genuinely help you save money.
Here’s how to lower the price of staples such as toilet paper and contact lenses and have them shipped to your door at no extra charge.
Sudz Club
If you’ve ever felt The Fear that strikes when you’re down to the last roll of toilet paper, Sudz Club is your bathroom lifesaver. It covers more than TP, too. At first glance $29.99 might seem high, but each box arrives packed with bathroom staples from familiar brands.
What you get: A “COVID-19” essentials box includes toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toilet paper and hand sanitizer for $31.99. The “Advanced” box adds shaving cream and a razor and costs $39.99. The “Premium” box throws in floss, condoms, pads or tampons, lip balm and lotion and is $59.99.
What it costs: Prices begin at $29.99 per month. Sudz Club states each subscription box contains at least $85 worth of products. Shipping is free.
Quip
Don’t own an electric toothbrush? I don’t fault you. While a basic Sonicare runs about $39.99, prices climb with every extra feature. A collaboration between dentists and designers, Quip provides simple, affordable and unexpectedly stylish electric toothbrushes.
What you get: A sleek electric toothbrush with built-in sensors and quadrant timers.
What it costs: $25 for a starter kit; $5 every three months for replacement brush heads and paste.
Dollar Shave Club
Former Savinly editor Dana Sitar has shared her affection for Dollar Shave Club often, and ex-staff writer Carson Kohler even named it among her top ways to indulge while trimming expenses. Great razor blades, delivered when you need them, at a fraction of the store price? That’s a win for everyone.
What you get: Four stainless-steel, four-blade cartridges per month with a stylish handle and shave butter to start. Replacement cartridges and shave butter arrive every two months thereafter.
What it costs: Pick from three blade packages ranging from $4–$10 per month. Shipping is free. You can also buy other items on the site and choose delivery frequency. Learn more about how it works here.
Second Nature
Changing your air filter regularly doesn’t only remove pollutants from your living space. It can reduce your monthly energy bill and help avoid costly repairs. But it’s another maintenance chore to remember, which is why I appreciate Second Nature: their deliveries act as a prompt to swap filters.
What you get: One high-quality air filter per shipment. You select the cadence so filters arrive as often as you need them.
What it costs: From about $12 per filter. See all pricing options here.
Sponge Club
As a dedicated home cook, I was horrified to discover my trusty kitchen sponge might be the filthiest item I own. That bacteria-breeding scourge went straight into the bin after I read about this study. Experts recommend replacing your sponge weekly, which is where Sponge Club proves useful.
What you get: Four premium sponges delivered each month.
What it costs: $4.44 per month.
Ready to Sign Up for a Subscription Box? Read This First
The vast selection and convenience, combined with seemingly modest monthly fees, can easily lead to overspending. If you aren’t careful, recurring charges pile up and you’ll end up with more products than you use.
To truly save money, be deliberate and concentrate on items you purchase regularly.
Can I live without a rotating rental wardrobe every month? Yes.
Do I need shampoo, contact lenses and kitchen sponges? Absolutely.
Having answered those, I’ll pass on fashion subscription boxes, as tempting as an endless parade of new dresses would be.
But I’ll sign up for subscriptions that supply items I use nearly every day. You typically know how much you spend on routine essentials, which makes it simpler to recognize a worthwhile subscription deal.
Kerry Bailey is a contributor to Savinly.
Also see related ways to save on prescriptions via good rx.
