How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Subscription Boxes

I’m subscribed to four subscription boxes, so I know how important it is to get the most money out of each one. Whether you have beauty or snack subscription boxes, these are some tips I’ve used that can increase the value without too much effort.

Sell Items You Don’t Want

Subscription boxes will eventually send you something that you don’t like. In my case, it was duplicate makeup brushes that I’d never use. Instead of tossing them out, you can sell them online through various Reddit forums, Amazon, and Facebook.  

Clothing is a popular thing to sell using the SubBoxBST subreddit, but someone who gets a beauty subscription can sell unwanted products on the MakeupExchange subreddit. The only downside of using these forums is that shipping usually isn’t covered. However, Amazon allows you to sell a single item and charges the buyer for shipping, meaning you get all the money and possibly a little profit from shipping. A third option is using groups through Facebook that are specifically designed to sell items from subscription boxes.

Remember that only unused items can be sold using these methods. No one wants to get used makeup or a shirt that’s been worn for a few days beforehand. You might also have luck looking for a subreddit or Facebook group for your particular subscription, including Birchbox, Ipsy, LootCrate, Geek Fuel, and more.

Swap Items With Others

If selling your unwanted products seems a bit too complicated, you can always trade items. Using the same sites as above, you can also swap anything that you don’t want. I had to do this with the dozens of eyebrow products and waterproof mascaras I’ve amassed through my Birchbox and Beauty Box 5 subscriptions. I traded the products with a friend and got something I wanted to try. The best thing about this is that you can swap between subscription boxes. If Sephora Play has a product you want to try, you may be able to swap for a lipstick from Ipsy.

Update Your Preferences

Are you getting products that are too dark or clothing that doesn’t fit? You may need to update your preferences. At least once a year, I go through and change my preferences for two reasons. First, this will ensure that I get products I’ll use and clothing that fits. Second, it keeps me from getting duplicates and gives me the chance to try something new. Maybe I suddenly want to wear pink all the time or I want to avoid blues.

This tip goes double for food subscription boxes that allow you to pick and choose what you like. When I first tried Graze, I didn’t know what I liked or disliked, but it became clear after I received my first subscription. Updating my preferences fixed issues and helped me get the most value from my subscription boxes each month.

Review Your Items

Most customized subscription boxes allow you to review products because they want to send products you enjoy. If you don’t review each item, you may end up with things you hate. After I continuously received eyebrow products in my beauty subscription boxes, I began to review them negatively. It took a few months before I saw results, but I eventually stopped getting the items. Now, I make sure to review everything I get for this reason and because I often get reward points.

Use Reward Points

Reward points are the holy grail of subscription boxes. I’ve only seen beauty subscription boxes that give you reward points, but other subscriptions may also do this. Each program is different, so you should be sure to read how you can get the most points and what you can use it on. For example, Birchbox gives you points when you buy products through the site. However, Ipsy gives free points for every product you review and offers samples on a regular basis.

Keep an eye on your points as well, because many programs have points that expire. By letting them expire, you’re giving up the chance to get free products. If you aren’t sure if the points expire and how to check, you can contact the customer service for your subscription box.

Look for Coupon Codes

Coupon codes are fantastic for stretching your money. Before you sign up for any subscription box, search for a promotion code on the subscription’s website. Another way you can find coupon codes is by signing up for email newsletters or following their social media. Sometimes you can get a free product, an extra box, or a discounted price.

Earn Spend Live has some referral links and coupon codes that you can use to sign up for some subscription boxes and save money:

• FabFitFun: Get $10 discount by using the code FAB10
• PopSugar Must Have: Get $5 off your first order by using the code MUSTHAVE5
• Blue Apron: Get $30 off your first order by using our link
• Freshly: Save $30 by using the code RADSPRING30
• Treatsie: Get double the sweets in your first box by using our link
• BurgaBox: Get $15 off BurgaBox of the Month Club by using the code INUVO15
• Geek Fuel: Get $3 off by using our link
• Unbox Love: Get $10 off by using the code ESL10
• Idea Chic: Get 10% off by using the code ESL
• BuddhiBox: Get 10% off by using the code EARNSPENDLIVE10

Unsubscribe or Contact the Company

You’re not getting money out of your subscription box if you’re getting duplicates or stuff you hate. If you’ve tried all the methods above, it’s time to part ways or contact the company. It isn’t unusual for a company to want to try again and treat your subscription box special. Some subscription box companies also give discount codes for a future purchase or a free box. By contacting the company, you’re giving them the chance to try again before you completely unsubscribe. However, if they seem unwilling, it may be time to part ways.