Guide · Spend less
How to audit your subscriptions and find what you no longer use
Small recurring charges are easy to forget because each one feels minor. Together they can add up to a real monthly amount. A short audit, done every few months, shows you exactly where the money goes.
1. Gather every recurring charge
Look through the last two to three months of bank and card statements, and search your email for words like "receipt", "renewal" and "your subscription". Check app store subscriptions on your phone too, as these are often missed. Write down the name, price, billing cycle (monthly, yearly) and next renewal date.
2. Convert everything to the same period
A yearly plan of 120 and a monthly plan of 10 cost the same. Convert all prices to a monthly figure, or all to yearly, so you can compare. Annual plans often hide in the list because they only hit once a year.
3. Ask three questions about each one
- Did I use it in the last 30 days?
- Would I notice if it disappeared?
- Is there a cheaper plan, or a free option that does the same job?
If the answers are no, no and yes, cancel it or downgrade.
4. Watch for free trials that turn into paid plans
Put the trial end date in your calendar when you sign up. Cancel a day or two before it renews if you do not plan to keep it.
5. Cancel properly
Cancel inside the service or app store, and keep the confirmation email. Check your next statement to confirm the charge stopped. Deleting an app does not cancel a subscription.
6. Review on a schedule
Set a reminder to repeat this every quarter. The Daymark subscription planner lets you list your subscriptions, see your monthly and yearly totals, and flag renewals that are coming up. Everything stays in your browser.