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Whether it’s your favourite streaming service,  music app, cloud storage or  meal kit, monthly subscriptions are designed to save you time and add convenience.

But because these payments are taken automatically, it’s easy to lose track of how many you have and how much they’re costing you.

If you’re looking to make your money stretch further, we recommend reviewing your subscriptions to get the best price and, if able, cancel the services you no longer use.

How to check your subscriptions

Subscription services have become a normal part of everyday life, and many offer great value. However, these small monthly payments can soon add up. A £4.99 app subscription here and a £10.99 streaming service there might not seem significant on their own but together can amount to hundreds of pounds each year.

Step 1: Find all your recurring payments

Look through your bank statements or online banking for the last three months and make a note of every regular subscription, including:

  • TV and film streaming services
  • Music subscriptions
  • Gaming memberships
  • Cloud storage
  • Mobile apps
  • Gym memberships
  • Meal kit deliveries
  • Beauty or lifestyle subscription boxes
  • Digital newspapers and magazines
  • Software subscriptions

Some banks have a subscription section on their online banking, so it checks what you’re subscribed to for you. You can also check subscriptions in your phone’s app store subscription section.

Step 2: Ask yourself whether you’re still using them

As you go through your list, ask yourself:

  • Have I used this in the last month?
  • Would I miss it if I cancelled it?
  • Am I paying for features I don’t use?
  • Is there a cheaper package available?

You don’t have to cancel everything; just make sure you’re only paying for services you’re using and need.

Step 3: Check for overlaps

You may have several subscriptions that offer similar services. For example, you might pay for multiple streaming platforms but only regularly watch one of them. Or have you signed up for more cloud storage than you need?

By cancelling duplicate subscriptions, you can lower your monthly spending without cutting back on a service you use.

Step 4: Review family plans

Some services offer family or household memberships that allow multiple people to use one subscription. Check with other family members to make sure you’re not duplicating services and see if you can switch to a shared plan to reduce costs. Check the provider’s terms and conditions to ensure you meet the criteria.

Step 5: Cancel anything you no longer need

If you find subscriptions you no longer use, cancel them as soon as you can but make sure you follow the terms and conditions you’ve agreed to with the provider.

If you’ve signed up through an app store, you usually need to cancel through your Apple or Google account rather than with the provider directly.

If you’re struggling with money

These are just some of the ways you might reduce your monthly expenditure. Making small changes shouldn’t mean giving up everything you enjoy, but just making sure your money is going towards the things that matter most to you.

If you’re worried about managing your monthly budget, you’re not alone.

Our advisers are here to provide guidance and support in a confidential, non-judgemental way.

If you’d like to explore your options or find out what support may be available to you, please get in touch here:

Get free debt advice online or call 0800 316 1833 to speak to one of our experts.

PayPlan’s advice is free, but some solutions may involve