Subscriptions are the new death by a thousand cuts for your budget. Here’s how to audit yours without giving up everything you actually value.

Find all your subscriptions first

Check your bank and credit card statements for the last three months. Look for recurring charges you might have forgotten:

  • Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.)
  • Apps and software (Adobe, Microsoft, phone apps)
  • Memberships (gyms, Amazon Prime, Costco)
  • Services (meal kits, beauty boxes, cloud storage)
  • Publications (newspapers, magazines, online content)

Use the “last 30 days” test

For each subscription, ask: “Have I used this in the last 30 days?” If no, it’s an easy cancel. If you’re unsure, cancel it and see if you miss it over the next month.

Calculate the per-use cost

Divide your monthly cost by how often you use it:

  • $15 Netflix subscription used 10 times per month = $1.50 per use (probably worth it)
  • $30 gym membership used twice per month = $15 per workout (maybe not worth it)
  • $10 meditation app used daily = $0.33 per use (likely worth it)

Look for overlapping services

Do you need both Spotify and Apple Music? Netflix and Hulu? Two cloud storage services? Multiple news subscriptions? Pick the one you use most and cancel the others.

Downgrade instead of canceling

Many services offer cheaper tiers:

  • Switch from premium to basic streaming plans
  • Choose annual billing for discounts (only for services you’re sure you’ll keep)
  • Reduce cloud storage to what you actually use
  • Opt for ad-supported versions of streaming services

Share family plans strategically

Split costs with trusted family members or friends for:

  • Streaming services (most allow 2-4 simultaneous users)
  • Music services (family plans for up to 6 people)
  • Cloud storage family plans
  • News subscriptions that allow multiple profiles

Cancel and resubscribe seasonally

You don’t need every streaming service year-round. Subscribe to Netflix for a month to catch up on shows, then cancel and switch to HBO Max the next month. This works for services you use intensively but not consistently.

Negotiate with services before canceling

When you call to cancel, companies often offer discounts to retain you. This works especially well for:

  • Phone and internet services
  • Subscription boxes
  • Software services
  • Gym memberships

Set calendar reminders for free trials

Free trials that require credit cards are subscription traps. Set phone reminders for 2-3 days before the trial ends to decide whether to cancel or continue.

Review quarterly, not obsessively

Schedule subscription audits every three months. Your needs change, new services launch, and old ones become less valuable. Regular reviews prevent subscription creep without making it a constant worry.

The goal isn’t to live like a monk—it’s to spend money on subscriptions you actually value and use. A few services you love are better than many services you ignore.