In today’s digital age, subscriptions are everywhere—streaming services, fitness apps, meal kits, beauty boxes, cloud storage, and even newsletters. Many of these seem inexpensive at first, but over time, they quietly add up, draining your bank account without much notice. If you’re looking to regain control over your finances, canceling unnecessary subscriptions is one of the most efficient ways to start.
Below are eight common subscription services that might be worth reevaluating. You don’t have to cancel everything at once, but trimming even a few could help you save more each month and redirect that money toward more meaningful financial goals.
1. Streaming Services You Rarely Use
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+—the list goes on. It’s become the norm for households to subscribe to several of these platforms at once, but do you really watch all of them consistently?
Take an honest look at your viewing habits. If you find you’re mainly using just one or two platforms, it may be time to cancel the rest. Streaming services are one of the most common recurring expenses, and eliminating just one or two can easily save you $20 to $40 per month. Many platforms also let you pause your account, so if there’s a new show you want to watch later, you can always resubscribe when it’s worth it.
2. Gym Memberships You Don’t Use
Gyms thrive on one key behavior: people signing up and not showing up. If you’re paying $30, $50, or even $100 a month for a membership you’re not actively using, you’re essentially donating money.
Consider canceling services like this if you haven’t been going regularly. There are plenty of free or low-cost ways to stay fit—such as walking, running, YouTube workouts, or home fitness apps with one-time fees. If you do value the gym, look for more affordable local options or negotiate a better rate.
3. Meal Kit Delivery Services
Meal kits like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and Green Chef offer convenience, but that convenience comes at a price. These services can cost $10 to $14 per meal, per person—far more than buying your own groceries and cooking at home.
If you’re trying to cut expenses, this is a prime category to cancel. While they do save time and reduce food waste, the cost of convenience adds up quickly. You can save more by meal prepping for the week and planning grocery runs strategically. Even switching to a grocery delivery service instead can often reduce overall food spending.
4. App Subscriptions and Microservices
From meditation apps and budgeting tools to photo editors and cloud storage, many people pay for apps they barely use. What starts as a $2.99 or $9.99 monthly charge may seem harmless, but over time, these subscriptions quietly pile up.
Review your app store purchase history and cancel subscriptions you no longer need or rarely use. For instance, you might find you’re still paying for a premium meditation app but haven’t opened it in six months. These types of services are easy to forget about, making them prime candidates for cancellation.
5. Premium Banking or Credit Card Features
Many people sign up for premium bank accounts or credit cards with monthly or annual fees in exchange for added perks like travel insurance, airport lounge access, or higher interest rates. However, if you’re not fully utilizing those benefits, you’re better off with no-fee alternatives.
Cancel services that are costing you more than they’re providing in value. Consider switching to a free checking account or a cashback credit card with no annual fee. The money you save annually on fees can be redirected to savings or paying off debt.
6. Online Shopping Subscriptions
Services like Amazon Prime, Walmart+, and Instacart Express offer free shipping, discounts, and fast delivery—but they also come with recurring fees. If you’re not shopping frequently enough to justify the annual or monthly cost, it may be time to reevaluate.
Amazon Prime, for example, now costs around $139 per year. If you’re not watching Prime Video or using two-day shipping regularly, canceling it could be a quick win. Apply the same thinking to other retail memberships. You can still place orders as a non-member—just with slightly slower delivery and fewer perks.
7. Magazine and Digital News Subscriptions
Do you have recurring charges from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, or specialty magazines you barely read? Digital and print subscriptions are often set to auto-renew, quietly charging your card every month or year.
While staying informed is important, there are many free news sources and articles available online. Consider canceling subscriptions you don’t read regularly, especially if you signed up during a trial and forgot to cancel after the promo period ended.
8. Subscription Boxes You Forgot About
Beauty boxes, clothing subscriptions, pet toy deliveries—these curated packages may feel like a fun surprise each month, but they’re rarely essential. If you’ve been receiving a subscription box but find yourself underwhelmed by the contents or not using the items, it may be time to cancel.
Companies like FabFitFun, BarkBox, and Stitch Fix offer these boxes on a recurring basis, sometimes quarterly or monthly. They often fly under the radar because they’re not charged monthly in a traditional sense. Review your bank statements to identify any such services that no longer provide real value.
How to Audit Your Subscriptions Effectively
It’s easy to forget about subscriptions when they’re out of sight and out of mind. Here’s how to take control:
- Review Bank and Credit Card Statements: Go through the past 3–6 months of your statements and flag anything that’s recurring.
- Use Subscription Tracking Apps: Tools like Truebill (now Rocket Money), Bobby, or Mint can help identify subscriptions you’re paying for.
- Cancel Immediately: Don’t wait until the next billing cycle. Most services let you cancel online or via app in just a few steps.
- Set Calendar Reminders for Free Trials: If you’re testing out a new service, set a reminder a few days before the trial ends so you can decide whether to keep it.
The Bottom Line
If you’re wondering how to save more each month, one of the easiest and most impactful steps you can take is to cancel subscriptions you no longer use or need. From unused gym memberships to forgotten app fees and overpriced delivery services, recurring charges can quietly drain hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year.
By taking the time to evaluate and cancel services that don’t align with your goals, you can cut wasteful spending and feel more in control of your finances. Better yet, the money you save can be used to pay down debt, invest, or build a stronger emergency fund.
So start your subscription audit today—and watch how quickly those savings add up.