But the good news? Giving your subscriptions a quick tidy-up is easier (and quicker) than you think.
Locate all your subscriptions on your phone, tablet or laptop.
Digital subscriptions are sneaky little things. One day it’s a free trial, and the next you’re being charged quietly in the background while completely forgetting why you signed up in the first place.
Start by making a list of everything you think you’re subscribed to, such as:
- Streaming platforms (Netflix, Stan, Prime, Max)
- Music and podcast apps
- Online shopping perks
- Fitness and wellness subscriptions (yoga, meditation, gym apps)
- Meal kits and delivery services (HelloFresh, Menulog, Uber Eats)
- Cloud storage, antivirus or VPN services
To jog your memory, have a close look at your bank and credit card statements, PayPal history, and subscriptions in your phone settings.
Once you have your list, ask yourself:
- Do I use this?
- How often?
- Is it worth what I’m paying?
- Would I miss it if it disappeared tomorrow?
And remember, needs change! You might love a footy streaming app during the season but forget all about it in summer. Subscriptions don’t have to be forever – rotate them as preferences change. You can always wait until every episode of a show has ‘dropped’ before subscribing so you don’t have to wait. Or – you can subscribe for a month and then unsubscribe straight away – you’ll get your month of viewing, but it won’t rollover to the next month if you forget to cancel at the end of it.
Cancelling isn’t the only option
Sometimes a little tweak can make all the difference. Here are a few clever tricks:
- Drop to a cheaper tier – Don’t pay for bells and whistles you never use.
- Pause instead of cancelling – Perfect for services you want to revisit later.
- Rotate streaming services – Binge that show or film that you love, cancel, then switch to something new.
- Bundle up – Some telcos throw in streaming or cloud storage as part of your plan.
- Pay annually if it works out cheaper – Great if you can cover the upfront cost.
Even changing just one or two things can save you a tidy sum over the year.
