Cancelling subscription

bg · 07-28-2005, 01:03 PM

I think this may be the best place to put this...

I only subscribe to one magazine: Real Simple. And I read the entire magazine cover to cover, and use many of the recipe ideas.

However, I've been thinking of cancelling the subscription for several reasons:
1. The magazine has too many ads. I hate ads. I don't like being told what I ought to buy.

2. Most of the articles are about suggestion on stuff I ought to buy. And almost always, the items are a bit too pricey (paying over $100 for a pair of pants is a bit much).

Today I received a notice telling me about a "bonus benefit" if I renewed with my credit card. I wondered about why the request specifically requested renewals via credit cards, because I believe companies are charged for every cc transaction. Then I realized, what a pain it would be to cancel the subscription. There was some fine print telling me so: "subscription will continue without interruption, unless I tell you to stop". I thought about having to wade through all those phone menus, before reaching a rep and all the time I would waste doing so, and I decided to cancel the subscription, and put the $28+ into my savings account.

This is a bit long winded...and I suppose an accurate reflection of myself

**annieacid** · 07-28-2005, 01:12 PM

I understand what you mean about the magazines. I usually don't subscribe unless I can get a subscription from 9 months to a year for $4-$5. The ads ARE annoying, and I hate those "low cost" things that, like you said, feature items of clothing for under $100. Better be 90% off $100 AT LEAST to make my tastes!

**Lucky Star** · 07-28-2005, 01:27 PM

Way to go, bg!

You're smart to catch on to the Credit Card payment "scheme". It seems so easy - just charge it to my CC, so that I don't have to bother with mailing checks. But! I also always restrain myself, because I actually LIKE receiving the renewal bill every year, which gives me an opportunity to reevaluate my subscription at that point.

What works for me re: magazines is that about once a month I go into a large bookstore (e.g. Barnes & Noble or Borders), sit at a table in their cafe (you don't have to buy any drinks, they are usually fine with you sitting there as long as you want) and go through a stack of 5 or so magazines. That way, I get to see what's new and read a few interesting articles, without actually having to buy it. I've also been able to get some free subscriptions (one is for Self magazine) via some on-line sites.

I agree with you on Real Simple - it's a nice magazine, but it does have a lot of advertising (both explicit and subtle). While it encourages us to simplify our life, in reality each month it shows more stuff to spend money on! In general, I think most magazines are there to make you spend money on "stuff" and are a big part of our consumer-oriented culture. Each month, they have to come up with something new to sell - can you imagine if you go out and buy what they recommend every month?!? Scary!

Sorry to ramble here, but congratulations on the wise decision!

Are you planning to put these saved $$ towards your debt?

bg · 07-28-2005, 01:56 PM

[B[What works for me re: magazines is that about once a month I go into a large bookstore (e.g. Barnes & Noble or Borders), sit at a table in their cafe (you don't have to buy any drinks, they are usually fine with you sitting there as long as you want) and go through a stack of 5 or so magazines.
[/B]

I should try that. I often meet friends at a B&N and have browsed books and mags while waiting, but I never thought about doing this as a good way to save money. Excellent suggestion. I will try that out.

Are you planning to put these saved $$ towards your debt?

I updated my signature to indicate where all this frugality is leading toward.

**Mom23boys** · 07-28-2005, 02:04 PM

I think you made a great choice.

**Lucky Star** · 07-28-2005, 02:08 PM

Great goals, bg!

**karnic3881** · 07-28-2005, 02:15 PM

May I suggest checking out http://www.all-freemagazines.com/? I had recently ordered a subscription of Budget Living, but received a postcard, informing me that I wouldn't get the first issue until October. The postcard stated if this was a problem, to return it with my signature and they'd refund me the $14.95 I paid. I decided to do that, and put the money in my special ING account I created for all money I 'find'... whether it's money I saved by using a coupon, rebates, etc. Then I found this link and Budget Living is on there for free

Supposedly I have to wait and see if I 'qualify', but I think it's worth a shot. Someone told me their wife filled it out and qualified.

**pkellyc** · 07-28-2005, 02:42 PM

I think you should write to the magazine telling them why you cancelled. If they recieve enough negitive input they will change.

bg · 07-28-2005, 05:40 PM

I thought about your suggestion pkellyc, and I decided that I might just let the magazine know my thoughts.

As soon as I get home, I will check out all-freemagazines.com. Thanks for the suggestion karnic3881!

**Mojjo** · 07-28-2005, 09:33 PM

I'm doing the same thing. I have a lot of subscriptions right now...guess I snowballed those...lol.

I'm getting rid of Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, everything...except Family Circle and Women's Day. Those I find really valuable.

**Michele Annette** · 07-28-2005, 11:18 PM

What works for me re: magazines is that about once a month I go into a large bookstore (e.g. Barnes & Noble or Borders), sit at a table in their cafe (you don't have to buy any drinks, they are usually fine with you sitting there as long as you want) and go through a stack of 5 or so magazines. That way, I get to see what's new and read a few interesting articles, without actually having to buy it. I've also been able to get some free subscriptions (one is for Self magazine) via some on-line sites.

Me too!

I refuse to buy them unless it's Backwoods Home, my favorite! but even then I still don't have a subscribtion to that. If it's a particualarly good month I will buy a copy. It's bimonthly so it isn't too bad. Also if there's a really good Christmas craft or idea magazine I will buy it for ideas for the following Christmas. I try to make a lot of my gifts for Christmas so these resources really help. I don't feel they are draining my pocketbook. But if I am extremely short on cash I will not buy them no matter how much I want them.

**SHOPGIRL** · 07-28-2005, 11:35 PM

I tried the free magazine link, and it worked! Thanks for the tip!

**Telephus44** · 07-29-2005, 06:49 PM

I only subscribe to "free" magazines - mostly through the above mentioned link. Right now I have Shape, Fitness, Seventee, Teen Vogue, Allure, and just got my last issue of Budget Living (which is another laugh - how to throw a party for ONLY $300!).

**pita1213** · 07-29-2005, 06:51 PM

you also might check your library for magazines. if the main branch isn't too far away from you, they usually get the most magazines. the smaller satelite branches usually only subscribe to the most popular ones.

bg · 07-29-2005, 08:30 PM

I asked for Budget Living and another Tech magazine through the free magazine link. This is exciting! I haven't received free magazine subscriptions in a long time (the last time was during the dot bomb, I received a free subscription to Wired magazine for two years).