Subscriptions used to be simple. A newspaper. A gym. Maybe a DVD club if you were feeling fancy.

Now they’re everywhere: apps, TV, work tools, cars, even things in your house. And somehow none of them feel expensive on their own… until you look at them together.

This episode starts with a quiz, but it quickly turns into a bigger conversation about how the subscription model has quietly taken over modern life.

We talk through how and when this shift happened, why entertainment subscriptions dominate so many budgets, and why cancelling things often feels harder than it should. 

Subscriptions are everywhere now — from entertainment to work to things we used to own. But then you step back and realise how quietly that changed everything. And you start wondering if it’s actually better.

We compare our own subscription lists, talk about the “zombie” payments we forgot to cancel, debate ownership vs access, and question whether this model is even sustainable long-term. Plus: which subs are genuinely worth it, which ones feel like scams in disguise, and the simple rules we use to avoid drowning in monthly charges.

If you’ve ever looked at your bank statement and thought, “wait… what am I even paying for?” — this one’s for you.

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If, while you’re listening, something crosses your mind, or you get that urge to jump into the conversation, we’d love to hear from you! Please send us a quick voice note using here: http://bit.ly/sensemakingvn