Unsubscribe to Save: What to Cancel When You’re Cutting Costs

If were honest, a lot of us are bleeding money through tiny monthly subscriptions we barely notice anymore.

That £4.99 here, £9.99 there, It all adds up. And when you're trying to save money, build your emergency fund, or finally get ahead financially, cutting out these quiet drains on your bank account can make a huge difference.

So thinking about it,

• 🔍 What to unsubscribe from

• 💸 How to find and cancel them

• 🧠 What’s worth keeping (if anything) And where we can be once its all fixed and cleaned up.
  

  

The Sneaky Cost of Subscriptions

The “set-it-and-forget-it” model is how companies make their money. You sign up for a free trial, forget to cancel, and months later you’re wondering why your account feels emptier than it should.

And we’re not just talking about Netflix and Spotify. Subscriptions now cover:

• Apps

• News sites

• Fitness platforms

• Beauty boxes

• Cloud storage

• Meal kits

• Email tools

• Online courses

Sometimes you’re paying for convenience. But often, you’re just paying for forgetfulness.

What to Unsubscribe to Save (Right Now)

Here’s a breakdown of what to review and possibly cancel, when you’re saving money:

1. Streaming Services You Don’t Use Regularly

• Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, NOW, etc.

“When was the last time I watched something on this?” If it’s been over a month, pause or cancel it.

2. Music & Audio Subscriptions

• Spotify Premium, Apple Music, Audible, etc.

If you’re not listening daily or can tolerate a few ads, free versions are totally fine for now.

3. Gym & Fitness Apps

• Peloton, ClassPass, FIIT, or unused gym memberships and online PT.

🏃‍♀️ Are you actually using it? If not, hit cancel and switch to:

• YouTube workouts (free!)

• Walking challenges

• Home-friendly routines
  

4. Meal Kits & Subscription Boxes

• HelloFresh, Gousto, Graze, beauty boxes, etc.

If the box sits unopened or feels like a treat more than a need it can go, you can keep the recipes or save them online for future grocery shopping.

5. Cloud Storage You Don’t Need

• Google One, Dropbox, iCloud upgrades, etc.

🧹 Do a digital clear-out and see if the free tier meets your needs.

6. App Store Subscriptions

• Check iPhone (Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions)

• Check Google Play Store (Profile > Payments & Subscriptions)

These often go unnoticed and add up quickly especially productivity tools, filters, or editing apps you don’t use anymore.

7. Magazines, Newspapers & Online Content

• The Times, FT, local news apps, Medium, Substack newsletters, Patreon

If you don’t read them regularly, it’s worth unsubscribing or at least downgrading, you can get all news on Sky news.

8. Buy Now, Pay Later Memberships

• Klarna Plus, Clearpay loyalty perks, etc.

These are optional extras and often unnecessary if you're trying to cut spending altogether.

How to Find & Cancel Your Subscriptions

Subscription audit:

🔎 Step 1: Check Your Bank Statements

Look through the last 3 months for:

• Direct Debits

• Card payments

• App store charges

Highlighting anything you don’t recognize or use often.

📱 Step 2: Check Phone Subscriptions

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Your Name > Subscriptions

• Android: Go to Google Play > Profile > Payments & Subscriptions > Subscriptions

Cancel directly from there and you'll get confirmations directly to your phone.

🧠 Step 3: Ask Yourself:

• Do I use this weekly?

• Does it genuinely make life better?

• Can I get a similar experience for free?

If it’s a no, unsubscribe or cancel.

💸 Bonus: Use Tools to Help You

If you’ve got loads of accounts, try apps like:

• Emma (UK budgeting & subscription tracking)

• Monzo

• Money Dashboard

These can help track where your money's going and highlight forgotten subscriptions.

🙋‍♀️ What’s Worth Keeping?

If you're cutting costs, you don’t need to cancel everything — just what you’re not actively using or valuing.

Here’s what might be worth keeping: - One streaming service you genuinely use - Cloud storage if you work digitally - A budgeting or finance tool that’s helping you save more than it costs - Mental health apps or tools that support your wellbeing

The key being intention over automation.

Final Thoughts: Unsubscribe = Take Control

Cancelling subscriptions isn’t about deprivation it’s about getting your money back into your hands, where it can do something more meaningful.

Even if you only cancel a few:

• £5.99/month = £71.88/year

• £9.99/month = £119.88/year

• £29.99/month = £359.88/year

Every cancelled subscription is a yes to your goals not just a no to spending so by being able to Unsubscribe to Save a little goes a long way in the end.