Are you a fan of subscription boxes? You know, the ones where you get a “mystery box of goodies” each month? I feel like I’m a unicorn here…like I’m a rando who really, really does not like them.

I fully believe that my younger self would have been a fan of those. That was the younger version of me that bought a lot of stuff I didn’t need. She liked to go out and just buy things (yes, she was trying to solve inner issues with material things and it didn’t help…but she didn’t really know any better at the time.) The other day, I got a phone call from a friend who was at Shoppers’ World in Framingham, MA and thought of me. I spent many an hour at SW, especially at DSW. But also Barnes and Noble and Old Navy, then I’d make the trek across route 9 to Dick’s. I charged a lot of things in that area over the years… Younger me liked shopping; I was compensating for something with it. I had a bunch of clothes, cute shoes, various purses – basically, I had a lot of stuff.

In recent years, I haven’t shopped like I used to. Part of that could be that over the last 8ish years, I have put on some weight. I don’t like how a lot of clothes fit me, and I blame myself not the clothes. My feet can’t handle “cute” shoes anymore; a developing bunion and recurring plantar fasciitis require solid support and wide toe boxes, which unfortunately are the farthest things from cute. There is also the fact that I don’t “go out” like I did before the pandemic and don’t always feel compelled to look cute. I dress for comfort to run errands or take the dog to the park. The few times Matt and I have gone out, I pretty much wear the same well-worn-in jeans and loose navy top. Buying clothes when you are dissatisfied with your body shape isn’t as fun as when you have a body that came wear almost anything. (This is an issue for another day…)

So yes, I have a hunch younger me would have enjoyed random “gifts” each month. But older me, not so much. First off, I am a bit picky about things that I like, products I am interested in using. Growing up, I wasn’t too concerned about what products I put in or on my body. Ah to be young and carefree… But older me is selective. I am much more willing to invest in a better quality product as opposed to getting a whole bunch of things at a fraction of the price that may not be as good. And I try to stick with a routine. I’m learning about the importance of consistency over time in the efficacy of product results. It is hard for the body to keep up when you are constantly changing things up on it! And then, what if they send you something you try but don’t like? That’s a waste of money, a waste of product, and creating more waste for an already overflowing landfill of plastic trash.

But perhaps one of the biggest issues I have with subscriptions is being  a person living with anxiety. I am not an overly controlling person; I’m really not. But if I can do something to curb the anxiety, then yes I will do what I can to control it. Getting a box of unknown things isn’t fun for me. I worry I won’t like what is inside, that I’ll already have some things and not need more, that more will make me concerned about where to put it, that not liking something will make me feel like I’m wasting money or creating unnecessary waste. To put this in a bit of perspective, gifts make me anxious; I do not really enjoy presents. So getting a “surprise” box each month isn’t really a good time for me.

That being said, subscribing to things I choose, things I will use, and save a few bucks on…well, those are subscriptions I’m not completely against. But I advise not over-subscribing as you might find yourself spending more than you are actually saving. Know how often you use things so that you don’t over-order and have a lot on hand. Set reminders on your calendar when something is set to renew; don’t count on the company to send a reminder email. Many do, and I really appreciate those. But some don’t. I have one that claims they don’t want to bother customers with an abundance of emails. One reminder a few days before something is set to ship is hardly a bother. And I had to set up personal reminders for that one because they won’t give me a heads up.

There are quite the variety of subscription types out there. First off, if you are at all struggling with finances or paying down debt, let me assure you that you don’t need to subscribe to ANYthing. If you like monthly surprises, there a many different box-types out there. Personally, they just aren’t my thing. I’m focused on choosing what I like and consistency of product use.

Are you a subscriber to any boxes? Share in the Comments below.