Subscription Health Audit
Find out if you're overspending on subscriptions. Get your subscription health score and personalized recommendations.
How many active subscriptions do you currently have?
The average American spends over $273 per month on subscriptions—and most don't realize it. From streaming services to forgotten gym memberships, subscription creep can quietly drain thousands from your budget each year.
This Subscription Health Audit helps you identify hidden subscription costs, find forgotten services, and discover opportunities to save money without sacrificing the services you actually use.
🫙 The Jar Method for Subscriptions
Think of your subscriptions like jars on a shelf. Each jar should earn its place. If you haven't reached for a jar in 30+ days, ask yourself: "Do I really need this?"
The 3-Jar Rule: Essential (Netflix you watch daily), Nice-to-Have (occasional use), and Forgotten (haven't logged in). Cancel the forgotten jar and evaluate the nice-to-have category monthly.
The Hidden Cost of Subscription Creep
Subscription creep happens when services accumulate faster than we cancel them. Studies show the average person underestimates their subscription spending by 40%.
Common subscription leaks include:
- Free trials that converted to paid (most people forget within 48 hours)
- Services with annual billing (easy to forget)
- Multiple streaming services for "just one show"
- Duplicate services (two cloud storage, two music apps)
- Gym memberships used less than once a month
How to Audit Your Subscriptions
Step 1: Find All Subscriptions
- Check your credit card and bank statements from the past 12 months
- Look for small recurring charges ($5-15 are often forgotten)
- Search your email for "subscription," "renewal," and "receipt"
Step 2: Categorize Each One
- Essential: Use regularly, provides clear value
- Nice-to-Have: Occasional use, could live without
- Forgotten: Haven't used in 30+ days
Step 3: Take Action
- Cancel forgotten subscriptions immediately
- Evaluate nice-to-have services monthly
- Look for family/bundle discounts on essentials
Smart Subscription Strategies
Rotate streaming services: Instead of paying for 5 services simultaneously, subscribe to 1-2 at a time. Binge what you want, cancel, move to the next.
Use student/military discounts: Many services offer 50% off for students, veterans, and military. Some offer employee discounts through your employer.
Share when allowed: Family plans for Spotify, Netflix, and others can cut per-person costs by 50-80%.
Annual vs Monthly: If you're keeping a service, annual billing typically saves 15-20%. But only commit if you're certain you'll keep it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Financial experts suggest keeping subscriptions under 5% of your take-home pay. For a $4,000/month income, that's $200 max. Many successful savers keep it under $100 by being intentional about which services they truly need.