Reader,
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Christmas is just around the corner, and it's hard not to spend money like it's going out of fashion. It's even harder to find the time to catch the little leaks that drain us over time.

In our era of instant gratification, the world is at our fingertips.

Subscriptions have thrived, sorting out all the problems we never knew we had with the click of a button.

At best, they are cost-effective saving graces. At worst, a forgotten impulse buy, draining our hard-earned money.

Before we go any further, I am a big fan of the RIGHT subscriptions. However, figuring out which ones enhance and which ones leech; is easier said than done. We often get lured in on impulse with 'free' trials, auto-renewals or think that the monthly nominal fee isn't worth chasing.

Compounding works both ways

These fees may seem insignificant, but even a €9 per month fee adds up to €108 per year and 5 of those €540 per year. I can think of many bills that would do well with a windfall like that put towards it.

The Art of Subscription Optimisation

For you this week, here is my step-by-step guide to ensure your subscriptions align with your life:

• Take Stock like Marie Kondo: Categorise subscriptions into Essential, Nice-to-Have, and Non-Essential. Review automatic charges and note costs.
• Audit like you want to Shut Them Down: Rate subscriptions based on value and usage. Prioritise the most useful ones.
• Get Talking: Negotiate for better deals or drop down a service level for underused subscriptions.
• Set Reminders: Avoid auto-renewal surprises by setting reminders a few days before renewal.
• The Bigger Picture: Your Financial Goals: Focus funds to subscriptions that align with the life you truly want.
• Bundle Power: Explore bundled services for cost-effectiveness.
• Regular Check-ins: Review subscriptions twice a year to ensure ongoing value.
• Be Strategic: Use a dedicated credit card for subscriptions or explore virtual credit card numbers.
• Family Financial Forum: Engage in open family discussions about shared subscriptions.
• Maximising Cancelled Subscription Funds: Redirect cancelled subscription funds to savings or investments.

Subscriptions are powerful tools. Use them cleverly and strategically to enhance your life. If they're not working for you, channel that hard-earned money into something that does. Remember, you've earned it!

This week's reads and resources

• Podcast I’m listening to - Afford Anything You can afford anything, but not everything. We make daily decisions about how to spend money, time, energy, focus and attention – and, ultimately, our lives. Paula is measured and knows her stuff.
• Key Tool - Cashflow = freedom​
• The book I'm reading: Thinking Fast and Slow. I've read this book several times and still keep coming back. Why do we make the decisions we do? Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman, reveals how our minds are tripped up by error, bias and prejudice (even when we think we are being logical) and gives practical techniques that enable us all to improve our decision-making.

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"The art is not in making money, but in keeping it."

- Proverb

More money, more freedom, more happiness,

Kel 'Marie Kondo those subscriptions' Galavan