Cancel Unused Subscriptions: A 30-Minute Audit to Save 50€

Like a leaky faucet that eventually turns into a flood of water, there’s money spilling out of your bank account every month that you’ve completely forgotten about.

Maybe it’s a streaming service you signed up for a year or two ago. A fitness app you used twice. A premium upgrade you meant to cancel after the free trial. These quiet little charges add up faster than you’d think. According to MoneyWellness UK, the average person wastes around £170 a year on subscriptions they don’t use, that’s roughly 200€!

The good news is that there’s an easy fix, and all it takes is about 30 minutes. Here’s how to cancel unused subscriptions and put that cash to better use.

How Do You Find Your Hidden Subscriptions?

Set aside half an hour, grab your phone or laptop, and go through these steps. By the end, you’ll know exactly what’s leaving your account every month.

Step 1: Pull up your bank statements

Open your banking app and look at the last three months of transactions. You want three months because some subscriptions charge quarterly or annually, not monthly.

Search for recurring charges. Look for company names you don’t immediately recognise, small amounts between 5-15€ that repeat, or anything labelled as a subscription or recurring payment.

Step 2: Check your phone’s app store

Your phone will also keep track of subscriptions you may have forgotten.

On iPhone: Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions 

On Android: Google Play → Profile → Payments & Subscriptions → Subscriptions

You might be surprised what shows up here. Apps you deleted months ago can still be charging you if you didn’t cancel the subscription first.

Step 3: Make a quick list

Write down every recurring charge you find. For each one, note the amount and how often you actually use it. And be honest with yourself here, “I might use it someday” doesn’t count.

What Are the Usual Culprits?

Certain subscriptions slip through more often than others. Keep an eye out for these:

• Streaming overlap. Do you really need Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and two others? Most people watch one or two regularly and forget the rest exist.
• Free trials that converted. That meditation app, cloud storage upgrade, or news site you tried for a week? If you gave them your card details, check if they’re still charging you.
• Gym and fitness apps. The app you downloaded in January motivation mode, untouched since February.
• Software you no longer need. Premium versions of apps you’ve stopped using, or tools from a project that finished months ago.
• Annual renewals. This will require going back further than 3 months as you’ll only see them once a year. Check for anything that charged you in a single hit.

Should You Keep It, Cancel It, or Downgrade?

Go through your list and sort each subscription into one of three categories:

Keep: You use it regularly and it genuinely adds value to your life.

Cancel: You forgot you had it, haven’t used it in weeks, or there’s a free alternative that works just as well.

Downgrade: You use it, but not enough to justify the premium tier. Many services have cheaper plans that cover basic needs.

For anything in the cancel pile, do it now. Most services let you cancel through their app or website in under two minutes. If you can’t find the cancel option, Google “[service name] cancel subscription” and follow the instructions.

What Should You Do With the Money You Free Up?

Here’s the satisfying part. Whatever you’re no longer spending on forgotten subscriptions, redirect it somewhere intentional.

A few ideas:

• Pay off any debt
• Add it to your emergency fund (especially if it took a hit during the holidays)
• Put it toward a savings or investment goal

The point isn’t to never spend money on subscriptions. It’s to make sure you’re only paying for things you actually use.

How Do You Keep Subscriptions From Creeping Back?

Subscriptions have a way of sneaking back in. Free trials convert, new services launch, and before you know it you’re back to paying for things you’ve forgotten about.

Put a reminder in your calendar for three months from now. A quick 15-minute check every quarter keeps the subscription creep under control.

Your money should go where you want it to go, not where you forgot it was going!Looking for more ways to find extra money in your budget? Our monthly newsletter shares practical tips that actually work for real life.