Here's a number that might make you wince: the average American spends over $200 a month on subscriptions they've forgotten about. That streaming service you signed up for during the pandemic? The fitness app from your New Year's resolution? They're still quietly charging your card every month.
If you've ever looked at your bank statement and thought, "Wait, what is that charge?"—you're not alone. Let's walk through five of the most common subscription culprits hiding in your monthly expenses.
1. That "Other" Streaming Service
Most households have two or three streaming platforms they actually watch. But somewhere along the way, you probably signed up for a fourth or fifth to catch one specific show. The show ended months ago. The subscription didn't.
Take a quick scroll through your streaming apps and ask yourself: "When did I last open this?" If the answer is more than 30 days, it's time to cancel—or at least pause.
2. Premium App Upgrades You Forgot About
Free apps love to offer seven-day free trials of their premium tiers. Weather apps, photo editors, meditation apps—they all do it. You tap "Try Free" fully intending to cancel before the trial ends, and then life happens. These small charges ($4.99 here, $9.99 there) add up fast.
Check your app store's subscription management page. You might be surprised at what's lurking there.
3. Gym or Fitness Memberships Running in the Background
This one's a classic. Maybe you switched gyms, maybe you started working out at home, or maybe the motivation just faded. Whatever the reason, that $30–$50 monthly gym fee is easy to ignore when it auto-drafts from your account.
If you haven't swiped in at the gym in the last 60 days, it's worth having an honest conversation with yourself about whether you're going back.
4. Software Tools From a Past Project
Signed up for a design tool, a project management platform, or cloud storage for a one-time project? These subscriptions tend to stick around long after the project wraps up. Professional software subscriptions can run $10–$30 per month each, so cleaning these up can free up real money.
5. Subscription Boxes That Lost Their Charm
Meal kits, snack boxes, beauty products—subscription boxes are fun at first, but the excitement often fades after a few months. If you're stacking unopened boxes by the door, that's your sign. Most services let you skip months or cancel online without a phone call these days.
Take Back Control of Your Monthly Spending
The good news? Cleaning up forgotten subscriptions is one of the fastest ways to put money back in your pocket. A quick 15-minute audit of your bank and credit card statements can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
Want to make it even easier? MonthlyMate tracks all your subscriptions in one place, sends you alerts before renewals hit, and helps you cancel the ones you don't need anymore. Stop paying for things you're not using—try MonthlyMate today and take control of your monthly bills.