Now more than ever, it seems that everyone’s shelling out for subscription services and products. Unfortunately, the more things you subscribe to, the harder it is to see how it’s impacting your budget. Luckily, there are a couple of easy ways to identify exactly what you’re paying for so you can decide if it’s still worth the cost. Keep reading below to find out how to take a closer look at your subscriptions, tips on how to cancel subscriptions you no longer want and other ways to save money.
How can I see all my subscriptions in one place?
Whether it’s email newsletters, streaming accounts or promotional retail ads, it can be tough to keep track of everything you’re subscribed to these days. In the case of email subscriptions, the sheer volume of messages most people receive makes them difficult to sift through.
Luckily, anyone with a Gmail account will now find it much easier to keep track of what’s coming into their inbox. On July 8, 2025, Google introduced a subscription management tool that allows users to see all active subscriptions ranked by sender frequency and the number of messages delivered over recent weeks.
To find it, select “Manage subscriptions” from the dropdown menu of Gmail’s navigation bar, located in the top-left corner of your inbox.
For subscriptions that cost money (from e-commerce to gym memberships), you likely also want to see just how much you’re shelling out on a regular basis. Apps like Rocket Money were designed to do just that and often promise to help reduce your budget. This is achieved by pinpointing underused subscriptions or those that may have slipped through the cracks.
But experts warn it can usually do more harm than good for your finances. “Be mindful, because some of these subscription-managing tools are actually another paid service you could be getting into,” says Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert at MySavings.com. “Stick to the free version to get started, or try a simpler free tracker like Subby or Bobby.”
How to decide if a subscription is worth keeping
Once you’ve identified all of your paid subscriptions, you’ll want to decide if you’re using each one enough to justify the cost.
“Personally, if I’m not using a service at least three times per month, I cancel it, because chances are, it’s not worth what I’m paying,” says Cid.
Identifying the purpose of the subscription can also be helpful. Those that support your safety (such as anti-virus and credit monitoring) or provide a health benefit (like a gym or yoga studio) may be worth continuing.
Entertainment-related subscriptions, of course, can bring you a bit of joy. As long as it’s something you’re actively using and can afford it in your budget, it can make sense to continue to pay.
Club subscriptions (think wine, pet toys or cosmetics) are incredibly common and were created as a way to treat yourself. Unfortunately, they also tend to be expensive. If you regularly enjoy all of the items included in your monthly box, you’ll likely recoup the cost. (They can save you time shopping too!) Any club subscriptions full of products that you toss, give away or just take up household space are better off being cancelled.
What to do if you can’t cancel a subscription easily
Figuring out every subscription you’re paying for can be tedious without the right tools. Even more difficult in most cases? Cancelling subscriptions. To make the process easier, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission had attempted to create a rule that would have made it more of a breeze.
The FTC was set to require businesses to “provide cancellation methods for subscriptions, auto-renewals and free trials that convert to paid memberships that are “at least as easy to use” as the sign up process,” reports Reuters. This would include steps to make sure an online customer did not need to use a chat feature to cancel.
Though the rule was set to go into effect July 14, a U.S. appeals court recently blocked it, stating that the FTC failed to conduct an analysis that looked at all the pros and cons. It’s unknown if it could still be implemented in the future.
In the meantime, there are other steps you can take to make canceling subscriptions easier.
- Do a web search. Using a search engine to ask “how do I cancel my subscription for x” will often provide you with a specific phone number you can contact, rather than generic customer service line. Tip: If you cancel mid-cycle, don’t hesitate to contact customer service to ask for a pro-rated credit or refund.
- Keep a digital paper trail. “I always set a calendar reminder to cancel before free trials or renewals hit, and I take screenshots and save confirmation emails after canceling,” shares Cid.
- Share a complaint. If you’re having trouble ending your subscription, consider filing a complaint with the FTC, Consumer Protection Bureau, the Better Business Bureau and your state’s attorney general’s office. You can also consider posting your issue on a public social media platform and tagging the company to help get its attention.
Expert tips for managing subscriptions like a pro
Since sneaky subscriptions can easily chip away at your bank account, it’s a good idea to monitor them as much as possible. Cid recommends scanning your bank and credit card statements monthly to see if there are any that are flying under the radar.
For those subscriptions you do plan to keep, moving it to an annual plan can save you as much as 20 percent on your subscription bill.
“Also, keep an eye on your credit card and bank offers for different subscription services,” she adds. “I’ve saved a nice amount of money by switching the card I have set up for billing to take advantage of promotions like $10 back per month for three months. I’ve used offers like this from my bank debit card, American Express and Chase credit cards.”
Another helpful way to cut down on costs: Consider rotating your subscriptions. This is especially helpful for entertainment and streaming services that you might not use daily.
Some money pros suggest only paying for a few at a time, then unsubscribing and switching to other subscriptions until you’re ready to make a change. (You may even be able to enjoy a free trial or limited-time deal when you sign up again!)
