How to audit all your subscriptions in 20 minutes
Forgotten subscriptions quietly drain your budget every month — a quick audit can uncover money you're paying for and no longer use.
Key takeaways
- Recurring charges hide in your statements and app-store settings.
- Cancel anything you didn't use in the last month; pause the maybes.
- Repeat twice a year so subscriptions don't creep back.
Subscriptions are designed to be easy to start and easy to forget. A few dollars here and there add up to real money, often for things you barely use. A 20-minute audit usually finds savings you can claim today.
How to do it:
- Scan your last two bank and credit-card statements for recurring charges
- Check app-store subscriptions on your phone (settings shows them all)
- List every streaming, app, gym, box, cloud, and membership charge
- For each, ask: did I use this in the last month? Would I miss it?
- Cancel anything you don't truly use, and pause the maybes
Watch for sneaky ones: annual renewals you forgot, free trials that converted, and 'bundled' services you're double-paying for. Cancelling is usually a couple of clicks, and you can always resubscribe.
Do this once or twice a year. Setting a calendar reminder keeps subscriptions from creeping back up. The money you free up can go straight to a bill, debt, or savings.
What this is
Why it matters
What you can do next
Related FAQs
Common questions about this topic, answered simply.
Where do I find all my subscriptions?
Check your last two bank and card statements for recurring charges, plus your phone's app-store subscription settings, which list everything billed through your app store in one place.
Should I cancel or pause?
Cancel anything you clearly don't use. For services you use occasionally, many offer a pause option so you stop paying without losing your account, then resume when you actually need it.
Keep reading
How to save on kids' clothes and supplies
Kids grow fast and wear things out, so clothing and supplies are a constant cost — these habits keep it affordable.
Read Cutting your spendingHow to save on back-to-school shopping
Back-to-school costs add up quickly, but a plan and a few tactics keep the spending in check.
Read Cutting your spendingHow to find cheap flights
Flights are often a trip's biggest cost — a few reliable habits help you consistently pay less.
Read Cutting your spendingHow to travel on a tight budget
You don't need a big budget to travel — planning, flexibility, and a few smart tricks make trips affordable.
ReadTest what you learned & earn points
Take a quick 3-question quiz on this article to earn MoneyFAQ points, build your streak, and unlock badges. Free account required.
Want answers personalized to your situation?
Tell us your #1 money goal and we'll tailor MoneyFAQ to you — free, takes 10 seconds.
When you're ready, here are some options
These are ads from partners — always optional. Looking is free and never affects your credit score. Reading the guide above is completely free either way.