One of the best places to get started is with your music collection. For most people, it’s not uncommon to have hundreds or thousands of music files. While that variety is enjoyable, those high numbers have some underlying consequences. First, the sheer cost of paying for those songs and albums, and second, the amount of space they take up. And if your music isn’t shareable across platforms, there’s a serious frustration factor.

How can you declutter your life in the new year? A digital music subscription is one of the best places to get started, offering a variety of benefits:

1. Cost cutting. Digital music subscriptions offer millions of licensed songs and albums, typically for around $10 per month. Weighing that price against what you’d pay for individual tracks, the savings can add up quickly. For example, a premium subscription to Sony Entertainment Network’s Music Unlimited service gives users access to more than 18 million songs from all of the major labels and many independents and costs under $120 for the whole year.

2. Access anywhere. Digital subscriptions make it easy to access music across devices like personal computers, iPhone and Android smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles and more. So there’s no need to buy yet another gadget to have all the music you want at your fingertips, wherever you are. There is even offline playback for Android devices so you do not need to be connected to the internet to enjoy your favorite music. You can also skip the time commitment of syncing and downloading – your catalog automatically syncs with every compatible device you connect to your account.

3. Keep it secure. If you’ve ever gotten a “no files found” message or lost a device, you know the panic that the thought of losing your music collection will induce. A digital subscription keeps your library safe in the cloud, so that you don’t need to fear losing it all – and having to replace it.

4. Find new music. A defining part of being a music lover is always looking for great new music. An added benefit of a digital subscription is that it allows you to explore bands you haven’t heard of before; some services also provide features to help you navigate the choices available based on your preferences. Aside from delivering all of the latest album releases, Sony’s Music Unlimited service hosts dozens and dozens of pre-programmed channels and additional channels created by user preference through My Channels.

As you ring in 2013, start the new year by cutting down the clutter and optimizing your digital life. Take the first step by trying the Music Unlimited service – there is a free 14 day trial to get you started. Learn more at music.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com.