Cancel Subscriptions Guide

Are you suffering from "subscription creep"? Here's a step-by-step guide to auditing your recurring payments and cutting what you don't need.

A person's finger hovering over a 'cancel subscription' button on a screen.

Step 1: Audit Your Subscriptions

Go through your bank or credit card statements for the last three months. List every recurring payment, from streaming services like Netflix and Spotify to gym memberships and app subscriptions. You'll likely be surprised by how much you're spending.

Step 2: The "Keep, Pause, or Cancel" Method

For each subscription, ask yourself:

  • Have I used this in the last month?
  • Does this bring me real value or joy?
  • Could I use a cheaper or free alternative?
If the answer is no, cancel it. If you're unsure, see if you can pause it for a month. If you don't miss it, cancel it.

Step 3: The Annual Review

Set a calendar reminder to review your subscriptions every 6-12 months. Companies rely on you forgetting about these small monthly charges. Stay vigilant and keep your money in your pocket.