Subscription costs put growing pressure on household budgets

High-income men over 40 are the biggest spenders

- By Boitumelo Kgobotlo

Standard Bank’s head of money management and advisory, Doret Jooste, has warned of a developing trend of subscription fatigue as digital subscription costs are on a steady rise.

She explained that this places growing pressure on household budgets. From streaming platforms to fitness apps and digital services, subscriptions have become part of daily life for many South Africans.

“We all deserve to spend a portion of our incomes on things that bring joy and comfort but as incomes rise, so do expenses, often unconsciously. This lifestyle inflation, including growing subscription costs, can shrink disposable income and delay emergency savings,” said Jooste.

Jooste said people often add new subscriptions without thinking about whether they still use or need older ones. As a result, households are paying for more services than they use.

She explained that the unchecked growth in monthly spending is a sign of “subscription fatigue”.