Do you ever check your bank statement and wonder where your money’s gone? You’re not alone. With the rise of “set and forget” subscriptions, it’s never been easier to sign up and never look back – until your balance starts dipping lower than expected.
The way consumers spend their money has changed significantly in recent years, and subscriptions are a huge part of that. Gone are the days when you paid for something once, and that was it. Now, almost everything is available via subscription – streaming services, meal kits, even flat whites!
As convenient as subscriptions are, they can also be hidden money drains that quietly chip away at your budget without you even realising.
In this post, we’ll uncover five of the most common subscriptions that people forget they’re paying for – and how to take control of your finances by spotting and stopping them.
1. Streaming Services You Don’t Use
Let’s be honest – when Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, Neon, Apple TV+, and the rest all launched, it was easy to get caught up in the hype. Maybe you signed up for a free trial, watched one or two series, and then… forgot. The problem is, many of these services auto-renew monthly. Even if it’s “only” $12 or $15 a month, that adds up fast if you’re not actually using them.
What to do:
Review all your streaming accounts. If you haven’t used one in the last month, cancel or pause it. Many services let you come back later and pick up right where you left off. There’s no need to pay for six platforms if you’re only really watching one or two.
2. Fitness Apps and Gym Memberships
Remember that new year’s resolution to get fit? Maybe you downloaded a premium fitness app or joined a gym with good intentions – but life got in the way. While it’s great to invest in your health, it’s not great if you’re paying for a service you’re not actually using.
Some fitness apps charge an annual fee that quietly renews. Others bill monthly, tucked away in your app store subscriptions.
What to do:
Open your phone’s app store (Google Play or Apple App Store), go to “Subscriptions,” and check what’s active. Cancel anything you’re not using. For gym memberships, contact the gym directly – some have cancellation fees or notice periods, so check your contract.
3. Cloud Storage You Didn’t Realise You Were Paying For
Many of us rely on cloud storage without even thinking about it. Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox – they often start off free, but after you hit the storage limit, you may get nudged into upgrading without fully realising.
It might be just a few dollars a month, but if you’re paying for multiple services (especially when you’re not using all of them), it can become a waste of money.
What to do:
Audit your cloud storage usage. Are you still using Google Drive and iCloud, and Dropbox? Pick one, tidy up your files, and downgrade the others. Every few dollars saved helps your budget breathe a little easier.
4. Mobile App Subscriptions
(Meditation, Journaling, Language Learning, etc.)
There’s an app for everything – calming your mind, learning Spanish, tracking your habits, even planning your meals. Most of them offer a free trial or a low monthly price that seems harmless… until it’s been quietly billing you for 8 months and you didn’t even notice.
Apps like Headspace, Calm, Duolingo Plus, and journaling apps often fly under the radar.
What to do:
Again, your app store is your friend here. Head to your subscription settings and see what’s on the list. You might be surprised by how many you’re still paying for. Cancel anything that’s not actively helping you right now – you can always come back later if you need it.
5. Online Content Subscriptions
(News Sites, Blogs & Newsletters)
These days, staying informed often comes with a price tag. While subscribing to quality journalism or content you love is a good thing, it’s easy to forget just how many of these subscriptions you’ve signed up for over time.
Maybe you subscribed to the NZ Herald to read one specific article, or paid for premium access to a Substack newsletter that’s no longer relevant to your interests. Other sneaky ones include The Spinoff Members, Stuff, and niche content platforms that offer free trials, then roll into paid plans.
These subscriptions tend to fly under the radar because they’re often billed monthly or annually, and the amounts are just small enough to avoid raising eyebrows—until you add them all up.
What to do:
Go through your email inbox or bank statements and search for names like “Herald Premium,” “Substack,” “The Spinoff,” “Stuff,” or “Medium.” Cancel any that no longer serve you, and consider using free versions or newsletters that don’t require payment. You’ll be surprised how many you’ve forgotten about!
How These Subscriptions Add Up
Let’s do some quick maths. Suppose you’re paying for:
- A forgotten streaming service: $17.99/month
- A cloud storage upgrade: $4.99/month
- An unused gym membership: $35/month
- An online news subscription: $99/year
That’s nearly $800 per year – and that’s just a small sample! Imagine what you could do with that extra cash: pay down a credit card, build up savings, or finally take that weekend getaway you’ve been dreaming about.
Taking Control: Simple Steps to Avoid the Drain
Here’s how to stay on top of it all:
- Set a monthly “money date.” Take 15 minutes to go over your bank and credit card statements. Look for anything you don’t recognise.
- Create a “subscription spreadsheet.” It doesn’t need to be fancy – just list the service, cost, and next billing date. Review it quarterly.
- Use one card or account for subscriptions only. That way, you can check a single account for charges. Turn off auto-renewals when you can. Some platforms let you pay monthly without commitment – just cancel when you’re done.
Struggling to Make Ends Meet?
If you’re going through your budget and finding more drains than dollars, you’re not alone. At East Bay Finance, we help everyday Kiwis tidy up their finances and find smart, flexible loan options that fit their situation – even if your credit history isn’t perfect.
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