Subscriptions are now the current method of making money for any sort of company. To avoid them you have to be the old skool users of torrents and all, its not tough and can be learnt, but that grind if you want to avoid you have to pay. I have been keeping a minimum of subscriptions that I dont need, like TV series.
To have savings avoiding the subscriptions to the different services is essential. This frugal approach is important in todays world of excessive spending and it is not tough to incorporate but a bit painful at first. This should also be taught to the younger generation to instill the nature in them.
There are so many platforms that you can subscribe today. However, you need to be smart on things so you won't spend a lot on them. As you said, just subscribe to your basic needs. You will know if it is not necessary, if you are just using it several times a month. Think of cutting off that subscription before it will add to your expenses.