Welcome Back, Future Funder!
Free trials can be exciting, right? They let you test new services, get things done, and explore premium featuresāall without upfront costs. But hereās the catch: what starts as āfreeā can quickly turn into an expensive headache if youāre not careful.
In this newsletter, weāll dive into:
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How free trials turn into costly nightmares
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Simple tricks to manage and cancel subscriptions before they charge you
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How to enjoy free trials without falling into a subscription trap
Bon a petit! š§āš³
Free trials seem like an amazing dealāuntil they arenāt. Letās break down:
How they really work
Why companies rely on forgetful customers
The billions they make from automatic renewals
Stay tunedābecause by the end of this, youāll never fall for a subscription trap again! š
š³ The āOops, I Forgotā Business Model
Companies know youāll forget about your free trialāand they bank on it. They count on you being too busy, distracted, or overwhelmed to cancel in time. Hereās how they trap you:
š 1. Automatic Enrollment
Most free trials require a credit card upfront and auto-convert to a paid subscription.
Some make it frustratingly difficult to find the cancel buttonāhiding it in settings or making you jump through hoops.
š 2. Complex Cancellation Processes
Ever tried to cancel and found yourself in a maze of roadblocks? Youāre not alone.
Expect things like:
Endless confirmation emails
Annoying āAre you sure?ā pop-ups
āCall us to cancelā requirements (because who has time for that?)
š 3. Short Trial Periods
Some servicesālike cloud storage, streaming, or fitness appsāoffer trials as short as 7 days.
Thatās just enough time for you to forget about it before the charge hits your account.
š” Real Example: In 2024, the FTC sued Adobe, accusing it of misleading users into free trials that secretly locked them into a one-year paid plan if they forgot to cancel.
Bottom line? These tactics arenāt accidentsātheyāre profit strategies. But donāt worryānext, weāll show you how to outsmart them and take back control of your subscriptions. š
(Image credit: FTC)
ā³ How to Stop Free Trials from Becoming Costly Subscriptions
Good newsāyou donāt have to fall for these traps! Hereās how to make free trials work for you (not against you):
ā 1. Set Calendar Reminders
The moment you sign up, create a phone or calendar reminder to cancel 2ā3 days before the trial ends.
This way, you wonāt get hit with a surprise charge.
ā 2. Cancel Immediately
Some services let you cancel right after signing up while still allowing you to use the trial until it expires.
If possible, cancel right away so you donāt forget later.
ā 3. Use a Virtual Credit Card
Services like Privacy.com or Revolut allow you to create temporary credit cards with a $0 balance.
When the trial tries to charge you? Declined! š«
ā 4. Check the Fine Print
Some trials sneak in āsetup feesā or require you to call customer service to cancel (a classic subscription trap).
Always read the terms before signing up.
ā 5. Monitor Your Bank Statements
Regularly review your transactions to catch unexpected charges before they pile up.
If you spot a charge you didnāt authorize, dispute it immediately!
Final Tip: If a free trial seems too complicated to cancel, ask yourselfāis it really worth it? š¤
šÆ Making Free Trials Work for You
Can you actually enjoy free trials without falling into a subscription trap? Absolutely! Hereās how to get the most out of themāon your terms.
š” 1. Stack Trials Strategically
Want to watch a specific show or use a premium tool for a short time?
Plan ahead: Use one serviceās free trial, cancel before it renews, then move on to another.
š” 2. Leverage Family Plans
Many services allow multiple users on a single trial.
If one family member has already used a trial, another can sign up and share access.
š” 3. Use a āBurnerā Email
Create a dedicated email just for free trials.
This keeps marketing spam out of your main inbox and helps you track which trials youāve used.
Final Pro Tip: Always cancel the trial right after signing up if the service still lets you use it until the end. That way, youāll never forget! š
š Remember: Free Doesnāt Always Mean Free
Free trials arenāt truly freeātheyāre designed to convert into paid subscriptions using sneaky tactics.
ā” 2. Be Proactive
Set reminders, use virtual cards, and read the fine print to avoid surprise charges.
šÆ 3. Free Trials Can Be Useful
When managed strategically, you can take full advantage without spending a dime.
Bottom line? Free trials are greatābut only if you control the timeline, not the company charging you.
Cheers to getting 1% better each week! š„
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