🛠️ Tool or Trash? Vol. 1 – Canva

Is it a business essential… or just a pretty time-suck?

Welcome to Tool or Trash? This is where we break down the apps, subscriptions, and tools cluttering your workflow—and decide if they’re actually worth your time (and money).

No fluff. No affiliate bias (unless we truly love it). Just real talk from the trenches.

🧪 Today’s Subject: Canva

A design tool used by literally everyone—but is it helping you move the needle… or just another “creative distraction”?

Let’s break it down:

🟢 The Good (Real Wins)

✅ Templates Galore

You get thousands of plug-and-play templates for social, print, video, presentations, websites—you name it. Perfect for when you're not a designer, but you need things to look sharp.

✅ Branded Content at Scale

Pro users can:

• Save brand colors + fonts

• Use Magic Resize (resize 1 design into 12 formats in 2 clicks)

• Remove image backgrounds instantly Great for solopreneurs with no design team.

✅ Collab-Friendly

You can share a Canva link with a VA or designer and they can jump in instantly—no Adobe license required.

🔴 The Bad (a.k.a. “Design Rabbit Hole” Syndrome)

❌ Major Time Suck

Ever spent 3 hours on a social post trying to find “the right vibe”? Yeah. Canva’s aesthetic rabbit holes are real. Beautiful. Dangerous.

❌ Canva ≠ Strategy

Just because it looks good doesn’t mean it works. A gorgeous flyer won’t save bad messaging or unclear offers.

❌ Pro Tools Add Up

$12.99/month seems cheap, but when you're stacking it with 5 other subscriptions, it adds up—especially if you’re not using it weekly.

🤔 Verdict: TOOL (If You Set Boundaries)

Canva is a legit powerhouse if you:

• Use it for done-and-dusted content

• Create and reuse templates

• Don’t open it unless you have a purpose

Otherwise? It’s beautiful busywork in disguise.

⚙️ Business Owner Pro Tip:

Create a “Design Day.” Batch-create all your graphics once a week. Then shut it down. Canva’s not your full-time job.

💬 Final Thought:

If you're tired of f***ing around in Canva—hire someone for $20 to templatize your brand. Then stay in your lane and grow your business, not your design portfolio.

Want to suggest a tool to review next? Drop it in the comments or DM us on Threads. Affiliate links = optional support. Thanks for keeping this real content alive.