Stop Paying for Subscriptions You Forgot You Had

FinStrike helps teens build real-world money skills through a four-year financial literacy curriculum, a Smart Tutor that helps students around the clock, and extensive free resources for parents and students.

Be honest. Right now, you probably have subscriptions you're paying for but haven't touched in months. That streaming service you got for one show, the workout app you opened twice, or that random digital subscription you signed up for because it had a "free trial."

It's easy to forget. And the companies counting on your forgetfulness are laughing all the way to the bank.

The Subscription Trap

Here's how it happens: You sign up for a free trial, promising yourself you'll cancel before it renews. But life happens. You forget. Suddenly, you're $15 lighter. It's not just you. Many companies build their entire business models around hoping you'll forget.

Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Apple, Amazon. It's the same playbook. They keep the subscription low enough so you won't notice, but it adds up fast. $10 here, $12 there. Soon you're tossing away $100 every month without realizing it.

Check Your Statements

Here’s how you take back control: every couple of months, scan your bank statements or credit card bills. Identify anything recurring. I bet you'll spot at least two or three subscriptions you don't really use.

Do the math. $15 a month is $180 a year. Cancel two or three subscriptions and suddenly you've got hundreds of extra dollars for things that actually matter.

Use Tools to Track Subscriptions

Don't want to manually comb through statements? You don't have to. There are apps out there that track your subscriptions automatically. They'll list everything you're paying for, then let you cancel right from their app.

It takes minutes, and it pays off immediately. These apps are your secret weapon against mindless spending.

Audit Regularly

Make it a habit. Every few months, set aside ten minutes to review your recurring charges. If you’re not actively using something, cancel it. And don't get sentimental about "maybe I'll use it again." If you're not using it now, odds are, you never will.

Take Control and Spend Smarter

Subscriptions aren't evil. They’re amazing when you use them right. Spotify makes your commute better. Netflix makes weekends fun. But only if you’re actually using them.

By staying sharp and aware, you’ll keep more money in your pocket, ready to invest in things you really care about.

The bottom line? Stop paying for subscriptions out of habit. Check your statements. Cancel what you don’t use. Keep what you do. That's how you become financially smart and independent. Not by cutting everything out, but by spending intentionally. Get and make our member build a budget that work!

Remember, your money is valuable. Don't mindlessly give it away.