Subscription Box Hacks: Skip or Swap to Save

Subscription boxes have exploded in popularity over the last decade. From meal kits and beauty products to pet supplies and hobby gear, there’s a box for almost everything. While these curated packages can add convenience and surprise to your routine, they also come with recurring charges that can quietly chip away at your budget.

Fortunately, there are several strategies to keep the excitement of unboxing without the guilt of overspending. Whether you're subscribed to HelloFresh, FabFitFun, BarkBox, or Book of the Month, this guide offers practical hacks to help you skip, pause, swap, and save.

The Rise of Subscription Boxes

Subscription box services typically offer:

• Monthly or bi-weekly shipments of curated products
• Free samples, early releases, or themed collections
• Member perks, loyalty points, and discounts on full-sized items

While many boxes offer real value, especially at first, costs add up quickly—especially if you’re subscribed to multiple services at once.

Common Monthly Subscription Categories:

• Meal kits (HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef)
• Beauty and grooming (IPSY, Birchbox, Dollar Shave Club)
• Books and entertainment (Book of the Month, Literati)
• Fitness and wellness (Gainz Box, TheraBox)
• Pets (BarkBox, Meowbox)
• Kids and baby (Lovevery, KiwiCo)

Hack 1: Use the Skip Feature Strategically

Most subscription services offer a “skip” option that allows you to pause a delivery for one billing cycle. Use this feature regularly to control how many boxes you receive.

When to skip:

• You haven’t used the items from last month yet
• You’re going on vacation or won’t be home to receive the box
• You want to stretch your budget this month
• You’re just not excited about the current box’s preview

Some services even allow multiple skips in a row—use it like a manual subscription schedule rather than canceling entirely.

Hack 2: Customize or Swap Items

Some premium subscription services let you preview and customize your box before it ships. This ensures you don’t receive items you don’t need or already own.

Examples:

• FabFitFun lets you choose several of your box items
• HelloFresh allows full meal selection and swaps
• Book of the Month lets you choose from a curated list of titles or skip entirely

Make it a habit to log in as soon as the customization window opens and tailor your box for maximum utility.

Hack 3: Rotate Between Boxes

Instead of subscribing to multiple boxes year-round, try rotating quarterly or every other month. For example:

• Subscribe to a beauty box for two months
• Pause that and try a snack box for the next two
• Then rotate to a hobby or book subscription

This keeps things fresh while allowing time to actually use and enjoy the contents. It also prevents overlapping categories that result in duplicate products.

Hack 4: Look for Discounted Gift Cards and Trials

Many services offer deep discounts on your first box—often 50% off or more. You can extend these savings by:

• Using referral links from friends (often gives both parties a bonus)
• Buying discounted gift cards on sites like Raise or Gift Card Granny
• Signing up during special promotions or holidays
• Using student, military, or teacher discounts where offered

Some retailers even bundle free trial offers with other purchases, so always check before paying full price.

Hack 5: Share or Split With a Friend

If a box offers more than you can reasonably use, consider splitting it with a friend or family member. This works well for:

• Snack boxes
• Skincare or beauty subscriptions
• Wine or coffee clubs
• Pet toys and treats

Create a recurring swap with a friend where you exchange unwanted items from your boxes—it turns your subscription into a social event and increases overall value.

Hack 6: Track Your Renewals and Set Reminders

One of the biggest budget pitfalls is forgetting when your subscription renews—especially if it auto-renews at a higher price.

Avoid this by:

• Creating calendar reminders before renewal dates
• Using subscription management apps like Truebill or Bobby
• Keeping a spreadsheet with service names, prices, and dates
• Paying via PayPal or virtual credit cards with caps to control auto-billing

Always set reminders 2–3 days before the next billing cycle so you have time to decide whether to skip, cancel, or customize.

Hack 7: Stack Rewards and Cashback

Some subscription services are eligible for cashback or points via:

• Credit card portals
• Cashback sites like Rakuten or BeFrugal
• Loyalty platforms like Swagbucks

Before signing up, check:

• If the box is listed on a rewards portal
• If your credit card offers bonus categories for subscription services or online shopping

You can often get 5–10% back just by clicking through a cashback site first.

Hack 8: Sell or Regift Unused Items

Don’t let unwanted box items gather dust. Instead:

• List unused products on eBay, Mercari, or Poshmark
• Bundle skincare samples or cosmetics into “mystery bags” and sell them
• Save extras for stocking stuffers, birthday gifts, or office giveaways

This reduces waste and can help recoup part of the subscription cost.

Hack 9: Cancel Tactically and Wait for Retention Offers

If you’re ready to cancel, don’t be surprised if the service offers you a retention deal to stay:

• Discounted rate for the next 3 months
• Free add-on item or bonus box
• Loyalty point boost or free shipping

You can often restart with a better deal after canceling—especially if you wait for the next major promotion window (Black Friday, New Year, etc.)

Hack 10: Do the Math Regularly

Every few months, evaluate:

• How many boxes you’re subscribed to
• How much value you actually get from each
• Which items you consistently use
• Whether the cost justifies the excitement or convenience

A simple tally of the total retail value vs what you paid can help justify keeping or pausing each service.