We live in a subscription economy. From streaming and fitness apps to meal kits and delivery memberships, it’s easier than ever to sign up — and harder than ever to keep track.
What starts as convenience often turns into subscription creep: a slow buildup of monthly charges that quietly drain your budget.
The goal isn’t to cancel everything, but instead to only keep the subscriptions that make your life better. The 10× Value Test is a simple way to do that.
It helps you decide what stays by measuring whether a subscription gives you at least ten times its cost in value, joy, or time saved.
Why Subscriptions Sneak Up on You
Subscription creep happens because the subscription payment model is built for convenience, not awareness. Autopay removes friction, so you don’t realize what you’re spending in real time.
Many subscriptions start with free trials that quietly turn into recurring monthly charges if you forget to cancel. And because the amounts are small, they don’t trigger the same alert as a big purchase.
The 10× Value Test gives you a way to check in on what you’re spending and put a stop to the subscriptions you truly don’t need.
Step 1: Find the Value of Your Time
Your time has value, even outside work hours. To find it, take your monthly take-home pay and divide it by the hours you work each month (usually about 160).
For example, if you bring home $4,000, your time is worth $25 per hour. That’s your “time value.”
Then, ask:
- Does this subscription save me time each week?
- How many hours does it save per month?
Multiply that by your time value. If the total equals or exceeds 10× the subscription’s cost, it’s worth keeping.
Example: A $10 meal-planning app that saves two hours a week ($200 in value) clearly passes the test.
Step 2: Find the Value of Your Joy
Your happiness has value too. Think about how much you’d pay for an hour that helps you relax or makes your week better.
For example, if a dinner out costs $100 per person and gives you 2 hours of enjoyment, your “joy value” is about $50 per hour.
Now ask:
- How many hours do I use this app or service each month?
- Does it bring me joy or peace worth at least 10× what I pay?
Joy value is inherently subjective. Play around with it until you land on an amount that feels right to you.
Step 3: Use 10× Value Test Rubric
Once you know your time or joy value, use this simple rubric to evaluate each subscription. Choose whichever category makes the most sense for how you use it — either time saved or joy gained.
Formula: Hours Used or Saved × Personal Value = Total Monthly Value
If Total Monthly Value ≥ 10× Cost, it’s worth keeping.
| Subscription | Cost | Hours Used/Saved | Value ($/hr) | Total Monthly Value | 10× Cost | Keep? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming App | $15 | 40 | $25 | (40×25) = $1,000 | $150 | Keep |
| Fitness App | $10 | 1 | $50 | (1×50) = $50 | $100 | Cancel |
| Grocery Delivery | $20 | 3 | $25 | (3×25) = $75 | $200 | Cancel |
Step 4: Keep What Brings You Real Value
Repeat this quick audit every three months. Even canceling one unused subscription can free up money in your budget for other things or go directly to savings. Over time, you’ll get better at estimating the value of your subscriptions and steering clear of the ones that aren’t worth it.
Struggling with debt?
If your debt payments are overwhelming your budget, debt consolidation can help. Debt consolidation combines multiple bills into one monthly payment that’s more affordable. Speaking to a Consolidation Specialist is the best way to explore your options.