How To Figure Out What Subscriptions I Have

Okay, let's be honest. Do you actually know what subscriptions you're paying for?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say… probably not. And that’s okay! It happens to the best of us.

It’s my (slightly unpopular) opinion that most of us are bleeding money on stuff we forgot we even signed up for.

The Great Subscription Hunt: Where Do We Even Start?

First, brace yourself. This might be a little scary.

Think of it like cleaning out your closet. You know there's stuff in there you don't need, but you're putting it off.

Ready? Let's dive in!

Step 1: The Bank Statement Deep Dive

Grab your bank statements. Yes, all of them. The last three months should suffice for now.

I know, I know. Paper cuts are a real threat, but power through!

Go line by line, looking for anything that says "Subscription", "Monthly," or anything vaguely service-y.

Pro Tip: Highlight everything you’re not immediately sure about. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

Step 2: Email Excavation

Now, onto your email. Search for keywords like "Subscription," "Welcome," "Invoice," and "Renewal."

Get ready to wade through promotional emails and spam. Sorry in advance!

Anything that looks like a subscription confirmation or a recurring charge? Flag it! We'll need it.

Don’t forget to check your spam folder! You never know what sneaky subscriptions might be hiding there.

Step 3: The App Store Audit

Next, check your phone's app store (Google Play or Apple App Store).

Most app stores have a subscriptions section. It's usually buried somewhere in your account settings. Dig around!

This is where you’ll likely find all those free trials you forgot to cancel (we've all been there!).

Step 4: The "Oh Yeah, That!" Moment

Remember all those highlighted items from your bank statement and flagged emails?

Now's the time to play detective. Google each one. See what it is.

Prepare for the "Oh yeah, that!" moment when you realize you're still paying for a streaming service you haven't used in six months.

It's okay to laugh (or cry). We’re all in this together.

Step 5: Cancellation Station

Here comes the satisfying part: canceling the subscriptions you don't need!

Usually, there's a "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel" button somewhere on the provider's website or app.

If you can't find it, contact customer support. They might try to convince you to stay, but stand your ground!

Remember, it’s your money, and you get to decide where it goes!

Bonus Tip: Use a Subscription Management App

There are apps that can help you track your subscriptions automatically.

Truebill (now Rocket Money) and Bobby are a couple of popular choices.

They'll monitor your bank accounts and alert you to recurring charges. Pretty neat, huh?

So, there you have it! A slightly less-than-thrilling, but utterly necessary, guide to finding out what subscriptions you have.

Happy hunting! And may the odds be ever in your favor (of finding and canceling those unwanted subscriptions).