15 Subscriptions You Forgot You’re Paying

Ever feel like your paycheck vanishes the moment it lands in your account? You’re not alone! The average person unknowingly spends around £348 annually on forgotten subscriptions. Ouch, right? That’s money you could channel into an emergency fund, investments, or even that side hustle you’ve been dreaming about.

I recently stumbled upon a subscription I hadn’t used in months—a premium note-taking app I didn’t even remember signing up for. Guess what? That small leak in my budget wasn’t so small when I added up the yearly cost. It was my wake-up call to conduct a subscription audit. Spoiler alert: it changed everything.

Let’s dive into 15 common subscription traps and actionable steps to plug those money leaks.

Subscription Audit Calculator: Uncover Your Hidden Monthly Costs

Before we dive deeper into managing your subscriptions, let’s take a moment to understand exactly where your money is going. Our Subscription Audit Calculator will help you:

✓ Track all your recurring payments in one place

✓ Calculate your total monthly subscription costs

✓ Identify potential areas for savings

✓ Make informed decisions about which services to keep

Ready to discover how much you’re really spending on subscriptions?

Simply enter your monthly subscriptions below, categorizing them into:

• Entertainment (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
• Software & Tools
• Health & Fitness
• Shopping (Amazon Prime, etc.)
• Other recurring services

The calculator will total everything up and show you your annual subscription spending – you might be surprised by what you find! You can even save your results and download them as a PDF!

If you’d like to see more services permanently on the subscription audit calculator please comment them below!

Part 1: Digital Entertainment Subscriptions

1. Streaming Services

The Leak: Are you juggling Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Hulu? Odds are, you’re not even watching half of them.

Hidden Costs:

• Forgotten trial periods that auto-renew
• Secondary Prime accounts you don’t need
• Multiple regional subscriptions

Business Perspective:

• Use streaming services for market research
• Study successful content strategies for your own digital products
• Track entertainment subscriptions as business expenses where applicable
• Research competitor advertising strategies on these platforms

Solution:

• Conduct a streaming service audit
• Ask yourself, “Which platform do I actually use?”
• Cancel unused subscriptions and explore free options
• Consider business vs personal usage for tax purposes

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Rotate services seasonally based on content needs
• Share family plans with household members
• Check if your mobile plan includes streaming benefits
• Compare annual vs monthly subscription costs

2. Gaming Subscriptions

The Leak: Console memberships (Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus), mobile game passes, or cloud gaming platforms like Nvidia GeForce Now.

Hidden Costs:

• Multiple memberships across devices
• Auto-renewing annual subscriptions
• In-game purchases linked to subscriptions

Business Perspective:

• Research gaming industry trends for digital product insights
• Study successful subscription models
• Understand customer retention strategies
• Learn from gaming platforms’ marketing techniques

Solution:

• Look for bundled gaming options
• Cancel services for games you rarely play
• Set reminders to evaluate gaming costs every six months
• Track entertainment expenses for tax purposes

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Use free-to-play alternatives
• Share family plans where available
• Wait for seasonal sales for game purchases
• Consider cloud gaming to reduce hardware costs

3. Music Services

The Leak: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium—paying for multiple services or forgetting to switch to a student plan.

Hidden Costs:

• Duplicate subscriptions for family members
• Premium features you don’t use
• Auto-renewing annual plans

Business Perspective:

• Use music services for content creation
• Background music for videos/podcasts
• Study successful subscription models
• Research audio content monetization

Solution:

• Opt for a family plan
• Check if you qualify for student discounts
• Explore free alternatives
• Consider business accounts for content creation

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Share family plans with household members
• Use free tiers with ads when possible
• Check mobile plan bundled offerings
• Compare annual vs monthly costs

Part 2: Digital Tools & Software

4. Productivity Apps

The Leak: Premium features in apps like Trello, Evernote, and Notion that you rarely use.

Hidden Costs:

• Multiple project management tools
• Unused premium features
• Overlapping functionalities

Business Perspective:

• Essential for digital business operations
• Track tools that directly impact productivity
• Consider scalability needs
• Evaluate ROI for each tool

Solution:

• Perform an app subscription audit
• Consolidate tools into a single, free or affordable option
• Cancel premium features you don’t need
• Track business vs personal usage

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Start with free tiers
• Use open-source alternatives
• Look for startup/small business discounts
• Consider annual billing for savings

5. Cloud Storage Services

The Leak: Paying for multiple providers like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud but underutilizing storage.

Hidden Costs:

• Auto-renewals for extra storage
• Multiple accounts with overlapping storage
• Business accounts you might not need

Business Perspective:

• Essential for digital asset management
• Backup solution for business documents
• Client file sharing capabilities
• Potential tax-deductible expense

Solution:

• Consolidate files into one provider
• Use free storage from Google Drive (15GB) or OneDrive (5GB)
• Share storage with family if possible
• Regular cleanup of unnecessary files

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Compare business vs personal plans
• Use email storage strategically
• Look for lifetime storage deals
• Consider cold storage for archives

Part 3: Lifestyle Subscriptions

6. Fitness Apps & Services

The Leak: Subscriptions for workout apps, meditation platforms, or virtual fitness classes you’ve stopped using.

Hidden Costs:

• Being locked into annual plans
• Multiple apps with similar features
• Premium features you don’t use

Business Perspective:

• Mental health investment for entrepreneurs
• Potential content creation opportunities
• Research for health/wellness blogging
• Workplace wellness program insights

Solution:

• Cancel memberships you’ve outgrown
• Switch to free YouTube fitness channels
• Evaluate if a gym membership covers your needs
• Consider business use cases

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Use workplace wellness benefits
• Share family plans where available
• Rotate between free trial periods
• Look for annual payment discounts

7. Food & Drink Services

The Leak: Meal kits, coffee subscriptions, or premium recipe apps.

Hidden Costs:

• Unused delivery slots
• Automatic renewals during vacation
• Multiple overlapping services

Business Perspective:

• Time-saving for busy entrepreneurs
• Potential blog review content
• Networking opportunities
• Business meal planning

Solution:

• Audit your food subscription costs
• Pause deliveries during away time
• Plan meals and cook in batch
• Track business vs personal use

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Use welcome offers strategically
• Compare cost per meal
• Share subscriptions where possible
• Look for bulk purchase options

Part 4: Digital Content Subscriptions

8. Learning Platforms

The Leak: Subscriptions to platforms like Duolingo, Skillshare, or LinkedIn Learning that you barely touch.

Hidden Costs:

• Monthly fees for unwatched content
• Auto-renewals after free trials
• Premium features you don’t use

Business Perspective:

• Essential for entrepreneurial growth
• Skill development for digital business
• Content research for blog posts
• Tax-deductible education expenses

Solution:

• Conduct a learning platform audit
• Use free library resources or free trials
• Cancel platforms after completing courses
• Track learning expenses for taxes

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Share professional accounts
• Use workplace learning benefits
• Time purchases with seasonal sales
• Consider annual vs monthly plans

9. News & Magazine Subscriptions

The Leak: Digital newspapers, magazine apps, and premium newsletters.

Hidden Costs:

• Multiple subscriptions with overlapping content
• Auto-renewals for unread content
• Premium features you rarely use

Business Perspective:

• Market research resources
• Content creation inspiration
• Industry trend monitoring
• Professional development

Solution:

• Stick to one reliable news source
• Use free options like BBC News
• Cancel redundant subscriptions
• Consider business expense allocation

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Use library digital subscriptions
• Share professional subscriptions
• Look for student/business rates
• Bundle subscriptions where possible

Part 5: Business & Professional Tools

10. Professional Software

The Leak: Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, or premium design tools you don’t use fully.

Hidden Costs:

• Unused app bundles
• Multiple licenses
• Forgotten trial conversions

Business Perspective:

• Essential for content creation
• Professional image maintenance
• Client deliverables
• Team collaboration tools

Solution:

• Audit your professional software costs
• Switch to free alternatives when possible
• Opt for one-time purchases where available
• Track business usage for tax purposes

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Use student/educator discounts
• Share team licenses legally
• Consider open-source alternatives
• Look for lifetime deals

11. Website Services

The Leak: Domain renewals, hosting plans, or plugin subscriptions tied to dormant websites.

Hidden Costs:

• Unused domain names
• Oversized hosting plans
• Premium themes/plugins

Business Perspective:

• Essential for online presence
• Brand protection
• Digital asset management
• Business credibility

Solution:

• Conduct a website cost audit
• Cancel unused domains/hosting
• Look for shared hosting options
• Use free plugins where possible

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Bundle domain/hosting services
• Pay for multiple years upfront
• Use free CDN services
• Optimize hosting plan size

Part 6: Hidden Financial Services

12. Banking Services

The Leak: Account maintenance fees, premium banking features, or insurance add-ons.

Hidden Costs:

• Monthly account fees
• Unused premium features
• Multiple account charges

Business Perspective:

• Essential for business operations
• Transaction tracking
• Tax preparation
• Financial planning

Solution:

• Audit your banking fees
• Switch to fee-free accounts
• Cancel unnecessary add-ons
• Separate business/personal accounts

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Meet minimum balance requirements
• Bundle banking services
• Negotiate fee waivers
• Use online-only banks

13. Investment Platform Fees

The Leak: Subscriptions to trading apps, portfolio management tools, or market data services.

Hidden Costs:

• Trading platform fees
• Data service subscriptions
• Premium features

Business Perspective:

• Portfolio diversification
• Passive income generation
• Market research tools
• Wealth building strategy

Solution:

• Compare investment platforms
• Use free data tools
• Cancel underperforming platforms
• Track investment expenses

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Use commission-free platforms
• Bundle investment services
• Look for new account bonuses
• Consider fee-free ETFs

Part 7: Travel & Shopping Services Average Monthly Cost: $15-45 / £12-36

Part 7: Travel & Shopping Services

14. Travel Memberships

The Leak: Airline loyalty programs, hotel memberships, or travel insurance that you don’t use.

Hidden Costs:

• Annual membership fees
• Unused points/miles
• Premium tier costs

Business Perspective:

• Business travel optimization
• Content for travel blogging
• Networking opportunities
• Tax-deductible travel

Solution:

• Perform a travel membership audit
• Cancel unused memberships
• Consolidate loyalty programs
• Track business travel expenses

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Focus on flexible rewards
• Use credit card travel benefits
• Compare membership benefits
• Look for status matches

15. Shopping Services

The Leak: Amazon Prime, delivery memberships, or cashback apps with hidden fees.

Hidden Costs:

• Multiple delivery subscriptions
• Unused membership benefits
• Auto-renewal fees

Business Perspective:

• Business supply management
• Content research purchases
• Office equipment sourcing
• Tax-deductible expenses

Solution:

• Audit shopping subscriptions
• Cancel unused memberships
• Use free shipping thresholds
• Track business purchases

Enhanced Money-Saving Strategies:

• Share family memberships
• Compare membership benefits
• Use cashback strategies
• Time purchases with sales

Action Plan: Conduct Your Subscription Audit

1. Make a List: Review your bank statements and create a list of all subscriptions.
2. Categorize: Group them by necessity—Entertainment, Lifestyle, Business, etc.
3. Cancel Unused Services: Be ruthless. If you don’t use it, lose it.
4. Set Reminders: Use calendar alerts to revisit subscriptions every quarter.
5. Explore Alternatives: Look for free or cheaper options.

Money-Saving Tools

• Subscription Tracking Apps: Truebill, Bobby, or Rocket Money.
• Family Plans: Share costs with family members for streaming or cloud storage.
• Student Discounts: Take advantage of discounted rates if eligible.
• Free Trials: Use them strategically, but don’t forget to cancel before they renew!

FAQs

Q: How much money should I realistically spend on subscriptions?

A: As a general rule, keep total subscriptions under 10% of your monthly income. For entrepreneurs, prioritize revenue-generating subscriptions first. Our calculator above can help you determine your current spending and set appropriate limits.

Q: What’s the difference between personal and business subscription expenses?

A: Business subscriptions are tools that directly contribute to your income or business operations and may be tax-deductible. Personal subscriptions are for entertainment or lifestyle purposes. Some subscriptions, like learning platforms, can fall into both categories depending on usage.

Q: How often should I audit my subscriptions?

A: Conduct a thorough audit quarterly, with monthly quick-checks for any unused services. Set calendar reminders for free trial end dates and annual renewal periods to avoid unexpected charges.

Q: What’s a “Minimum Viable Stack”?

A: This is your essential set of subscriptions needed to run your business or maintain productivity. For most entrepreneurs, this includes:

• One primary productivity suite
• Basic cloud storage
• Key industry-specific tools
• Essential financial services

Q: How can I track all my subscriptions effectively?

A: Use our subscription tracking template or:

• Set up a dedicated spreadsheet
• Use your banking app’s subscription tracking feature
• Create calendar alerts for renewal dates
• Keep all subscription-related emails in one folder

Q: What are some red flags that indicate I’m overspending on subscriptions?

A: Watch out for:

• Multiple subscriptions in the same category
• Services you haven’t used in 30 days
• Overlapping features across different tools
• Subscriptions costing more than their actual value to you

Q: How can I negotiate better rates for my subscriptions?

A: Try these strategies:

• Switch to annual billing for significant discounts
• Contact support about bulk or business pricing
• Look for student, professional, or non-profit discounts
• Consider sharing family or team plans

Q: What should I do with the money saved from cancelling subscriptions?

A: Consider:

• Investing in your emergency fund
• Putting it toward business growth
• Adding to your investment portfolio
• Creating a buffer for essential subscriptions

Q: How do I cancel subscriptions without losing important data?

A: Before cancelling:

• Export or download your data
• Save important documents locally
• Screenshot any necessary information
• Check the service’s data retention policy

Q: Are there any subscriptions worth keeping even if rarely used?

A: Yes, consider keeping:

• Security services (antivirus, password managers)
• Essential business tools with irregular but critical use
• Services with high switching costs
• Platforms that store important historical data

The Bottom Line: Take Control of Your Subscriptions

Don’t let subscriptions silently drain your finances. Take action today:

1. Use our calculator to audit your current spending
2. Create your Minimum Viable Stack – keep only what generates value
3. Set quarterly review dates
4. Track business vs personal subscriptions
5. Reinvest savings into your financial growth

Remember: The average person spends £45-75 monthly on subscriptions, with £20-30 typically being unnecessary or underutilized services. That’s up to £360 annually you could be investing in your business or emergency fund.

Ready to boost your financial freedom? Start your subscription audit now.

Want more money-saving strategies? Follow Abundant Cents on Twitter for daily tips on building wealth through smart financial decisions.

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