5 min read·January 22, 2025

How to Cancel Unused Subscriptions and Save Money

Why We Keep Paying for Things We Do Not Use


Subscription services are designed to be easy to sign up for and hard to cancel. This is not an accident. Companies rely on subscriber inertia, where people continue paying simply because they forget or find it inconvenient to cancel.


Identifying Subscriptions to Cancel


Ask yourself these questions about each subscription:


  • **When did I last use this?** If it has been more than a month, consider cancelling.
  • **Could I use a free alternative?** Many paid services have free versions that may be sufficient.
  • **Am I paying for overlapping services?** Having both Spotify and Apple Music, or Netflix and Hulu, might be redundant.

    • 4. Is this a "just in case" subscription? If you are keeping it "just in case," you probably do not need it.


    The Cancellation Process


    Many services make cancellation deliberately difficult. Here are some tips:


  • Look for "Manage Subscription" or "Billing" in account settings rather than contacting support.
  • Be prepared for retention offers. Companies often offer discounts when you try to cancel.
  • Document everything. Take screenshots of cancellation confirmations.
  • Check for cancellation fees. Some annual plans charge fees for early cancellation.

    • Negotiating Better Rates


    Before cancelling a service you still want, try negotiating:


  • Call customer service and say you are considering cancelling due to cost.
  • Mention competitor pricing.
  • Ask about promotional rates or loyalty discounts.
  • Check if switching to an annual plan offers savings.

    • How Much Can You Save?


    Based on data from SubscriptionFinder users, the average person saves $127 per month after doing a subscription audit. That is over $1,500 per year. Common areas where people find savings include streaming services, fitness apps, and software tools.


    Preventing Subscription Creep


    After cleaning up your subscriptions, prevent future creep by setting a monthly subscription budget, reviewing charges quarterly, and using SubscriptionFinder to track all your recurring payments in one place.

    Ready to Find Your Hidden Subscriptions?

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