Subscription boxes have been around for quite some time now, but it wasn’t until this past year that the concept of subscribing to a random monthly or quarterly box became explosively popular. There’s boxes for just about everything now and for most people, their subscription seems to be one of the most exciting times of the month/quarter. There’s no doubt, getting a surprise in the mail can leave you feeling amazing, but do these boxes actually save you any money? By subscribing to a box of randomness, are you just throwing away money? By looking at a few different kinds of boxes, it became very easy to see that subscription boxes often deliver more than what they cost, which could make your monthly/quarterly surprise something to be even happier about.

1. Meal Subscriptions
One of the more popular boxes to hit the market actually sends food straight to your door. There’s several different companies you can choose from here, but the prices don’t vary too much. Basically, these subscriptions allow you to choose between a household of 2 or 4 and they generally send you around 3 meals a week. For some, this may not be in the budget because the companies tend to use gourmet foods, so if you’re used to getting an entire week’s worth of groceries on this budget then this may not be the route to go. All the same, the boxes do offer pretty good sized portions and you can’t really stray too far from the recommended amount of food, which is great for anyone on a diet. However, this may not be the best of choices if you’re feeding preteens or teenagers. The meals are also simple to cook and most won’t take over an hour, which suits busy lifestyles well. Of course, if you’re not into learning new recipes then some companies will actually just send a week’s worth of produce to your door. You can choose between vegetables, fruits or a mixture of both, which can help you keep your family’s produce intake healthier than ever.

2. Snack Boxes
If you’re not up for ordering entire meals online, there’s lots of snack options to choose from that will make your life easier. However, when it comes to snack boxes, they’re often hit or miss. Sometimes, you’ll find a subscription that gives you plenty of snacks that make the entire family happy. Other subscriptions will provide you with healthy treats you never thought you’d love. On the other hand, some subscriptions charge you a whole lot of money for very little. Thus, when you plan on ordering a subscription of snacks, you may want to try out a freebie first. Luckily, many of the major snack subscriptions do this by offering coupons or first box free incentives. Of course, some of the major brands will also offer you a free box after you’ve paid for a few subscriptions. This reward system often draws in more business and helps regulate the price of some of the more expensive brands out there.

3. Razors
Most people spend a lot of money on razors, which can be a huge problem if you’re on a tight budget. Usually, you can get a great deal on buying razors in bulk, but sometimes it doesn’t compare to the cost of some of the new subscription boxes. Basically, when you subscribe to a box for razors you can choose if you want a basic blade, or if you’d like more than one. Generally, you get around 3 razors to last you the month and the price tag is so low you won’t believe your eyes. Sometimes the boxes will have men and women’s separate subscriptions, but often they provide a unisex blade that will work wonders on your skin. There’s also subscription boxes that will supply you with items designed to help make your shaving experience better, such as creams and lotions. Of course, if you’re not sure if three razors will last you the month, there’s also measures you can take to help make the blades last much longer.

4. Makeup
This is actually one of the hardest subscriptions to judge as there are so many and each has its own individual price. Some boxes, like Julep, tend to concentrate on higher end nail polishes. Although the price of the items you receive is worth more than what you pay, they still use items that have a price tag that you may not normally be willing to pay. Of course, this service does allow you to swap out items in your monthly subscription, so you won’t be surprised with a box of items you simply won’t like. Other boxes tend to provide samples of makeup, which is perfect if you like to try new things. Generally, these boxes cost a whole lot less and will open up your eyes to some of the freshest products on the market. However, if you tend to like specific items, then this is a route you might not want to take. The best thing you can do here is either try out the box for free or a reduced price, or browse around to see what is actually in the box and if it is worth the price tag.

5. Pet Supplies
Another great thing you can order in a subscription box is pet supplies. There’s a lot of great options available, but most of these boxes revolve around toys. Although the market is currently more based around dogs and cats, if you do a little research you might uncover a few boxes for other pets too. Of course, if you’re looking for boxes for your cat, the options may be a bit limited as well since cats generally aren’t as rough on toys. There’s lots of options for dogs though. If you have a dog that goes through toys very fast, then this will certainly save you money. The subscription boxes usually come with a few toys and some sample items. However, if your pet is older or not so rough on toys then you may want to rethink the box. Sometimes you can find toys at a cheaper price. There are subscription boxes that are a bit cheaper though, which are filled with treats and other sample items.

6. Geek Stuff
One of the biggest hits this year has been subscription boxes that cater to the geeky side in all of us. These boxes are generally filled with comics, books, collectibles and toys. Generally, these boxes are worth a lot more than they charge, especially since each contains a t-shirt. The only problem is, you don’t know what you’re going to get. If you’re good with surprises then you’ll probably have a pretty good time with these boxes. Plus, most of the subscription boxes offer themes, so if you’re not keen on one theme then you cancel or pause your subscription until something else catches your eye. The key to these boxes is to look for subscriptions that offer free gifts when you subscribe in advance. This will allow you to get even more for your money. Of course, some of these boxes do come from abroad, so look out for extra shipping. Of course, items you don’t like can always be gifted to friends later, which will save you even more money.

7. Alcohol
If you’re looking for a cheaper way to get some of the best alcohol around then you might want to try a subscription box. There’s a lot of wine subscription boxes, which will not only save you some money, but will also offer you a lot of new wines to try. Some of the subscription boxes will actually have a wine subscription taste guide, so they can help you pick the best wines, or they may have a quick quiz so they match you with something they believe you’ll love. Generally, these subscriptions end up costing you about $13 a bottle, which isn’t bad if you are a wine enthusiast. Normally, you’ll get about 3 different bottles a month too, which is great if you’re stocking up for the holidays. There’s also a few craft beer subscription boxes, but these can be hit or miss, especially if you only like a particular type of beer. Last but not least, there are subscriptions for liquor; however, these can really cost you a lot for mere samples of the whiskey, scotch, rum, tequila or vodka. So, unless you’re willing to splurge and you want to play the field, it may be best just to buy your favorite brands outright.

8. Travel Boxes
Those that love to travel, but don’t often get the opportunity too, may love this box. Some of the subscriptions will send you a new location monthly or quarterly, so you’ll get to try scents, tastes, sounds and sights for the country of the subscription period. This is a great way to get to know locations you’ve never even heard of and may inspire you to plan a vacation to somewhere you never thought possible. Of course, there’s also travel boxes for people who used to live in certain areas, but no longer get to see or experience the local charm. For instance, San Francisco has a special box that will send you foods, drinks, keepsakes and even fog, to help you get over your homesickness. Other boxes may come with candies from your country of origin and so on. If you browse around, you may be surprised by the wonders you find.

9. Kids Supplies
When it comes down to it, one of the best things you can order is a subscription box for your kids. Although there are many designed with kids toys, there’s even more designed to help your child’s creativity and intelligence grow. Some of the subscriptions come filled with all sorts of art supplies and a project for them to enjoy throughout the month. Other boxes come with a science or engineering task, which will help inspire your child to enjoy math and science a whole lot more than they would without these fun projects. For younger children, you can find boxes with flash cards, toys designed to help with motor functions and other necessary items to help your baby’s mind grow strong in a hurry. There’s also baby supplies that are all natural, so you can skip any chemical add-ons to your child’s early life.

10. Health Supplies
If you have a hard time deciding which soap or shampoo you want to use, then this is a great choice for you. There’s lots of health supply boxes that come with new natural soaps, lotions and fragrances. Of course, they also have snacks, vitamins, supplements and items used to help your workout thrive. This box is often a great price because these products tend to cost a small fortune. Plus, you can easily find some of the supplements or foods that work best for your body, which is absolutely pricey to try straight from the store. You may even find workout videos and other amazing items to help keep you fit in these monthly boxes.

So, all in all, subscription boxes can really save you a bundle if you can budget the money in for them. Luckily, most of these boxes don’t cost over $30, but are worth far more than you pay. Plus, there’s always coupons and savings codes that will help you cut down on the price, so you can enjoy your monthly surprises even more. After all, what’s life without a little something to look forward to, even if it is wondering what shampoo you’re getting to get this month.