How to Audit Your Subscriptions in 10 Minutes (and Actually Save Money)
You know those sneaky little “just $9.99 a month” charges? The ones that seem harmless… until your bank account starts looking suspiciously slim?
Yep. Subscriptions.
They’ve quietly become the new normal for everything - from streaming to skincare refills, to budgeting apps (the irony). They promise convenience, and to be fair, many deliver it. But if you’ve ever looked at your statement and thought, “Wait, what even is that charge?” it’s probably time for a subscription audit.
And don’t worry, we’re not about to suggest you give up everything you love. This is about awareness, not austerity. Here’s how to do it in 10 minutes flat.
Step 1: Start with your bank account
Open your banking app and scroll through the last month or two of transactions. Highlight anything that looks recurring (especially those smaller, regular charges)
💡 Quick trick: Search for “subscription”, “Apple”, “Google”, “PayPal” or “Direct Debit” to catch hidden ones.
You might be surprised at how many you find.
Step 2: Check your app store
If you’ve ever hit Start Free Trial on a sleepy Sunday night, this step is for you.
Go into your phone’s subscription settings (on iPhone: Settings → your name → Subscriptions. On Android: Google Play → Payments & subscriptions).
You’ll see every active (and expired) subscription tied to your phone. It’s confronting, but empowering.
Step 3: Search your inbox
Type words like receipt, renewal, subscription, or thank you for your payment into your email search bar.
Old gym memberships, long-forgotten meditation apps, delivery services you used once... it’s all there.
Step 4: Sort what you find
Now, make three quick categories:
✅ Keep: Things you use often and genuinely enjoy.
🤔 Review: Nice-to-haves you might pause or swap.
❌ Cancel: Anything unused, duplicated, or forgotten.
This isn’t about being strict, it’s about being intentional.
Step 5: Cancel, then calendar it
Cancel what you don’t need (you’ll feel instantly lighter).
Then, add a reminder in your calendar to repeat this audit every three months. Subscriptions have a way of sneaking back in, and this keeps you in control.
Step 6: Reclaim that cash
Add up what you’ve cancelled.
That’s your newfound “subscription surplus.”
Now, move that money somewhere it can actually grow… your savings account, investment portfolio, or a little treat for future you!
Because saving money should still feel good.
The bottom line (literally)
Subscriptions aren’t the villain here. Some of them genuinely make life easier… like your Spotify Premium or that meal kit that saves you from another “what’s for dinner?” meltdown. The goal isn’t to cancel everything; it’s just to make sure what you’re paying for actually adds value.
So, take 10 minutes, do your little audit, and keep what makes life better for you. Your future self will be grateful.
And if you need a bit of inspiration before you start trimming things back, have a read through this Instagram post where our community shared the subscriptions they’d never give up. It’s such a good reminder that being intentional with money doesn’t mean missing out on the things you love.
Little wins, big impact. 💪
