You have probably seen those viral shorts and reels from finfluencers, where they ask you to imagine what would happen if you skipped that daily coffee or canceled an unused subscription and instead chose where to invest money—like starting an SIP or buying a trending stock. Some of these comparisons are hilarious, but a few really hit home.
They make you pause and wonder: Are you spending money on things you barely use or that do not actually add value to your life? Maybe it’s time to rethink where to invest money for a smarter future!
The subscription model works wonders for businesses, giving them steady monthly income from users. Since amounts are usually small, like a INR 199 Netflix subscription, you barely notice the spend. But it is easy to overlook how these small expenses add up over time, costing you valuable investment opportunities.
For instance, there might be cloud storage you no longer use, email services you no longer require, and OTT subscriptions you have not watched in months. But you simply pay it from your bank account or credit card, thinking it is a petty expense. You might want to cancel subscriptions, but you do not find the time or need. However, your money is being siphoned each month, and the opportunity cost is way too high to ignore.
Micro-Spending And Budget Blind Spots
Let us admit it-there are a few subscriptions that you do not even remember, as they work on the psychology of “low-ticket = low resistance” You might feel that these charges are tiny and harmless, but they end up creating budget blind spots, especially when they are spread across multiple platforms.
Auto-Renew Traps And Forgotten Signups
Auto-renew works well for the vendors, but can be disastrous for your personal budgets and financial planning. So many investment options start as low as INR 100 per month, and you lose on such opportunities as your money flows to these sign-ups that rely on you forgetting to cancel subscriptions after free trials.
Our suggestions: try to avoid auto-renewal for services you know you would not use after a couple of months. After all, standalone payments are quick and efficient, and there is no waiting time before the subscription is renewed.
1. Subscription Creep vs. Wealth-Building Habits
Yes, subscription creep is a real phenomenon and can be best described as a silent thief of your future wealth. The best way to invest money, especially for the middle class families, is through systematic investments. These recurring liabilities distract from building real assets without you even realizing it.
2. Opportunity Cost: SIPs or Spotify?
If you, your wife, and your kid have different Spotify accounts, you pay approximately INR 500 per month for the subscription. You do not realize that redirecting such money into SIPs can be a massive game-changer, as the benefits of investments are often felt after prolonged periods.
For instance, if you invest INR 500 per month through a SIP for 10 years at an average return of 10% annually, you would accumulate approximately INR 1,03,276. That's over double your invested amount (INR 60,000), all from just redirecting one subscription’s worth of spending.
Imagine this amount after a decade, without even trying to save money and simply investing in safe investments with high returns in India. A simple review of your app usage and subscriptions can help you significantly. Let us find out how.
1. Do A Subscription Audit: What’s Worth Keeping?
Doing this is quite straightforward: take a diary or a piece of paper and make two columns: “Need” and “Nice-to-Have.” If you have not used a service in 30 days, it’s likely safe to cancel subscriptions guilt-free.
2. Tools To Track And Trim—Apps Or Excel
You do not need a fancy setup. Apps like Truebill, Walnut, or even your bank’s expense tracker can spotlight unnecessary drains. Prefer old school? A monthly Excel sheet or a piece of paper works just as well to stay in control of your types of subscription models.
3. Reallocate To Wealth: Bonds, Mutual Funds, Or Gold
Leaking INR 499 might not be a big deal for you. However, the cumulative impact is quite large, and the monthly amounts keep piling up with additional unused apps and services.
You can reroute it to gold, bonds, and other investments. If you need to know where to invest money, platforms like Grip Invest offer simple, low-barrier investment options tailored for young investors looking to get started.
From Monthly OTT Bills To Monthly SIP Thrills
Let us accept it, we really do not consume so much content compared to the number of streaming services we have subscribed to. We often keep a subscription because it is too cheap, comes in a bundle, or for a ‘what if’ situation. What if a good series or movie is streamed on a platform we are not subscribed to? The answer is simple: you can get a pay-per-view or subscribe for a month. It does not need an autopay or an annual commitment.
That money you spend on OTT? Redirect it to a SIP and watch it quietly build wealth. Same money, wildly different outcome: smart money moves > passive streaming.
Binge Spending vs Bond Investing
One gives you scrolling fatigue, the other offers long-term satisfaction. Investing money in bonds or mutual funds feeds your future, not your FOMO. If you invest in bonds, you will get consistent returns and compounding on your money. Your small investment will become huge after a few years.
Subscriptions Fade, Investments Compound
Think of it this way: subscriptions are snacks, but investments are meals (protein-rich, healthy meals). They may not feel exciting instantly, but they nourish your net worth over time, proving the real importance of investment.
Subscription services are cleverly designed to make you feel that you are spending an insignificant amount, and with autopay, it becomes a monthly commitment. To get the most benefits of investments, it is critical to reallocate such money into safe investments with high returns in India and enjoy the true thrill of watching your money grow. Investment is different from subscription spending, which is based on impulse and not intent. With Grip Invest, reallocating your funds into smarter investments is simple and rewarding.
1. What’s the best way to manage and cancel unused subscriptions?
Tracking apps like Truebill or a manual Excel audit can be used to identify and cancel subscriptions you no longer use.
2. Can small monthly subscriptions really impact long-term savings?
Yes—even an INR 500 monthly expense, if invested, can grow to over INR 1 lakh in 10 years.
3. How can I redirect subscription money into investments?
Start small with safe investments with high returns in India, such as SIPs, bonds, or digital gold, on platforms like Grip Invest.
Want to stay at the top of your finances?
Join the community of 4 lakh+ investors and learn more about Grip Invest, the latest financial knick-knacks, and shenanigans in the world of investing.
Happy Investing!
Disclaimer - Investments in debt securities/municipal debt securities/securitised debt instruments are subject to risks including delay and/ or default in payment. Read all the offer related documents carefully. The investor is requested to take into consideration all the risk factors before the commencement of trading.
This communication is prepared by Grip Broking Private Limited (bearing SEBI Registration No. INZ000312836 and NSE ID 90319) and/or its affiliate/ group company(ies) (together referred to as “Grip”) and the contents of this disclaimer are applicable to this document and any and all written or oral communication(s) made by Grip or its directors, employees, associates, representatives and agents. This communication does not constitute advice relating to investing or otherwise dealing in securities and is not an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities. Grip does not guarantee or assure any return on investments and accepts no liability for consequences of any actions taken based on the information provided. For more details, please visit www.gripinvest.in
Registered Address - 106, II F, New Asiatic Building, H Block, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001