How Many Subscriptions Do You Subscribe to?-From Shelley Wolfe

• Subscription Check-Up: 

  Be honest—do you know how many subscriptions you’re paying for right now? 

  Why Subscriptions Sneak Up On Us

  Subscriptions are convenient

  Auto-Renew Is the Default

  Most services enroll you in automatic renewal. You sign up once… and unless you manually stop it, it keeps charging you every month or year.

  Free Trials Turn Into Paid Plans

  You try an app or streaming service for “7 days free,” and before you know it—you’re billed for the first month.

  Duplicate Subscriptions in Households

  This is especially common for families: Two people paying for the same service, kids signing up for apps or games, or multiple iCloud storage plans running at the same time.

  It adds up fast.

  Find Hidden Subscriptions

  Every smartphone has a built-in way to track your recurring app charges.

  On iPhone:

  Settings → Your Name → SubscriptionsYou’ll see everything you’re paying for under your Apple account.

  On Android:

  Google Play → Payments & SubscriptionsA full list of recurring charges appears automatically.

  Check Bank & Credit Card Statements

  Search terms like:

  • “Apple”

  • “Google”

  • “Amazon”

  • “Recurr”

  • “Subscription”

  
  

  Monthly vs. Yearly Subscriptions Understanding how billing cycles work can help you make decisions that match your lifestyle and budget.

  Monthly Plans

  Pros:

  • More flexibility—you can cancel anytime.

  • Great for testing new platforms, workouts, or streaming services.

  Cons:

  • More expensive over time if you stay subscribed.

  Yearly Plans

  Pros:

  • Usually 10–20% cheaper.

  • One payment—no monthly tracking.

  Cons:

  • Less flexible—if you stop using it, you’re still locked in.

  Tools That Make It Easy

  There are apps that track subscriptions automatically.

  Rocket Money (formerly Truebill)

  Shows all your recurring charges and can help cancel unwanted ones.

  Mint

  A simple financial tracker that highlights subscriptions across all your accounts.

  Apple/Google Family Sharing

  One subscription can serve multiple family members—no need for duplicates.

  Streaming Tip: Rotate Your Services

  You don’t need Netflix, Hulu, Max, Disney+, Paramount+, and Peacock all at once. Try subscribing to one or two for a few months, then rotate.

  You’ll save money and have fresh content throughout the year.

  Quick Subscription Checklist

  • ✔️ Check phone settings for app subscriptions

  • ✔️ Review credit card and bank statements

  • ✔️ Use Rocket Money or Mint to find duplicates

  • ✔️ Share subscriptions with family when possible

  • ✔️ Rotate seasonal streaming platforms

  
  
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