What You Get With a Southern Living Subscription
A Southern Living subscription delivers the magazine to your home or lets you read it on a phone or tablet. The print edition arrives monthly and covers home design, recipes, gardening, travel, and lifestyle topics focused on the American South. The digital edition (available through their website or app) updates more frequently and includes video content and interactive recipes.
You choose between print only, digital only, or both. Print subscriptions typically cost less per issue than buying single copies at a newsstand, and digital access often comes free or at a reduced rate when bundled with print. The magazine is published by Dotdash Meredith, a large media company that also publishes People, Better Homes & Gardens, and other titles.
Key Takeaways
- Southern Living offers print, digital, or combined subscriptions, with print arriving monthly and digital updating throughout the month.
- You can start a subscription directly through Southern Living's website, through their customer service phone line, or sometimes through third-party magazine retailers.
- Print subscriptions are cheaper per issue than newsstand prices, and many digital subscriptions come bundled with print at no extra cost.
- Subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel, so check your renewal date and contact customer service if you want to stop before it renews.
- Gift subscriptions are available and arrive with a greeting card, making them a common option for holidays or special occasions.
How to Start a Print Subscription
Visit SouthernLiving.com and look for the subscription offer, usually displayed prominently on the homepage. Click through to the subscription page, where you'll see pricing for different lengths (typically one year, two years, or longer). Select your choice and enter your mailing address, email, and payment information. Use a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
After you complete the purchase, you'll receive a confirmation email with your subscription number. Your first issue usually arrives within 4 to 6 weeks. If you prefer to order by phone instead of online, call Southern Living's customer service line (the number appears on their website) and a representative will process your order.
How to Start a Digital Subscription
Go to SouthernLiving.com and select the digital subscription option. You'll create an account with an email address and password, then choose your subscription length and payment method. Digital subscriptions renew automatically, so the site will charge your payment method on your renewal date each year unless you cancel beforehand.
Once your subscription is active, you can read the magazine through the website or read the Southern Living app (available on iOS and Android). Log in with the email and password you created during checkout. The app lets you read issues to read offline, which is useful if you travel or don't always have internet access.
Bundled Print and Digital Subscriptions
Many subscription offers combine print and digital access at a single price, often close to the print-only cost. This means you get the monthly magazine in the mail plus when ready access to digital content and the app. Check the subscription page carefully to see which bundle is being offered, because pricing and what's included can vary by promotion.
If you already have a print subscription and want to add digital access, contact customer service with your subscription number. They can often add digital to your existing account without requiring a new subscription. Similarly, if you have digital and want to add print, customer service can usually upgrade your account.
Gift Subscriptions and Renewal Dates
Southern Living offers gift subscriptions through their website. Select the gift option during checkout, enter the recipient's name and address, and choose whether to send a greeting card. You can schedule the gift to arrive on a specific date, which is useful for birthdays or holidays. The recipient will receive their first issue within 4 to 6 weeks of purchase.
All subscriptions renew automatically on the date shown in your account. Before your renewal date arrives, you'll receive an email reminder. If you want to cancel or pause your subscription, log into your account online or call customer service. Canceling before the renewal date stops the charge; if you cancel after renewal, you may not receive a refund depending on your subscription terms.
Managing Your Account and Troubleshooting
Log into your account on SouthernLiving.com to view your subscription status, renewal date, and payment method. From your account, you can update your mailing address, change your password, or pause your subscription temporarily. If you move, update your address in your account to make sure issues arrive at the right location.
If an issue doesn't arrive within the expected timeframe, contact customer service with your subscription number and the issue date. They can investigate whether it was lost in the mail and resend it or credit your account. If you're charged twice or see an unexpected charge, customer service can review your account history and process a refund if needed.
Comparing Print, Digital, and Combined Options
| Subscription Type | How You Read It | Update Frequency | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print only | Monthly magazine in the mail | Monthly | Varies by promotion; usually $15–$25 per year |
| Digital only | Website and app | Multiple times per month | Varies by promotion; usually $10–$20 per year |
| Print + Digital | Magazine in mail plus website and app | Monthly print; multiple times per month digital | Varies by promotion; often close to print-only price |
Pricing changes frequently based on promotions, so the exact cost depends on when you subscribe. Check the Southern Living website to see current offers. Print subscriptions are usually the most expensive option per year, but you pay less per issue than buying at a newsstand. Digital-only subscriptions cost less upfront but don't include the physical magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my subscription from print to digital or vice versa?
Yes. Log into your account on SouthernLiving.com or call customer service with your subscription number. They can switch your subscription type or add digital to an existing print subscription. Depending on your current renewal date and the change you're making, they may adjust your billing.
What happens if I move during my subscription?
Update your mailing address in your account online or contact customer service with your subscription number. Changes usually take effect within one to two billing cycles. If an issue is already in the mail to your old address, it may arrive there; contact customer service if this happens and they can resend it to your new address.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Log into your account and look for a cancellation option, or call customer service with your subscription number. Cancel before your renewal date to avoid being charged again. If you cancel after renewal, refund policies vary, so ask customer service whether you're may be able to access for a partial refund.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Many subscriptions can be paused for a set period (often one to three months) rather than canceled. Log into your account or call customer service to ask about pausing. This option holds your subscription without charging you and lets you resume without starting a new subscription.
Do I need to create an account to read digital issues?
Yes. You'll create an account with an email and password during checkout. Use the same login to access the website, app, and any other Dotdash Meredith digital properties you may subscribe to. If you forget your password, the website has a password reset option.