How much are you spending on subscriptions every month? The answer is unlikely to be pleasant, even if you reckon you’ve got a fairly good idea. The streaming services are easy enough to remember, but what about everything else? When did you last look at your broadband bill? It’s gone up again, hasn’t it?
Well, surprise! It all adds up, basically, and there’s even a term for it, because of course there is. It’s called “subscription creep”. You’ve probably heard of it. In fact, a OnePoll comissioned by Community Fibre survey found that respondents had seven contracts or subscriptions on average. Nearly two-thirds didn’t know exactly how much they were spending on them each month. I’m one of them.
They also estimated that poor-value deals were costing them £576 a year on average. That’s an estimate, mind, and your own potential savings will depend on what you’re paying for. But you don’t have to cancel everything to make a difference. A few unused subscriptions and an overdue contract review are a decent place to start.
Annual renewals count
First, have a look through your bank and credit card statements. MoneyHelper recommends going back a year if you can, which should pick up annual renewals as well as monthly payments. Don’t just check your Direct Debits – subscriptions paid by card need looking at too.
Make a quick note of what each service costs and when it renews. Add any cancellation deadline while you’re there, so you know how much time you’ve got to decide. You can do all of this in your phone’s notes app, or get AI to help.
While you’ve got your phone out, check its subscription list as well. On an iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions for plans billed through Apple. For Google Play purchases, open its Subscriptions section using the Google account you paid with. Neither list will show everything you bought directly from a provider, so check those accounts too.
When you find something to cancel, complete the cancellation and keep the confirmation. Deleting an app doesn’t end the subscription behind it.
Occasional use can get expensive
Peter Komolafe, the personal finance expert working with Community Fibre on the campaign, suggests a “4-for-2” rule. If you’ve used a non-essential subscription four times or fewer in the past two months, cancel it and see whether you miss it.
That makes sense for an entertainment app you’ve barely opened. Less so for cloud storage that’s backing up your photos, so obviously use a bit of judgement. Check with the rest of the household too, especially before cancelling anything that keeps the kids occupied.
With monthly streaming plans, you can also take turns. Watch what you want on one service, cancel, and try another when you’re ready. There’s no particular reason to keep them all running while you work through one series. Netflix says that if you cancel with time left in your billing period, you can keep watching until that period ends. Check the terms for your particular service, especially if you pay through a bundle.
And if a cancellation offer tempts you to stay, ask whether you’ll actually use it. A discount doesn’t help much if you’re still paying for something you’d forgotten about.
Unlimited data isn’t for everyone
Your mobile bill deserves a look too. Check a few months of data usage in your provider’s app or account before shopping around. If you’re barely touching your allowance, there may be room to pay less. Just check coverage where you live and work, along with roaming costs if you’ll be taking the phone abroad.
If your handset still does everything you need, compare SIM-only options. Ofcom says these are usually the best value when you already have a phone. You can text INFO to 85075 to check your contract status before deciding whether to move. Leaving during the minimum term can mean an early termination charge.
To switch and keep your number, text PAC to 65075, then give the code to your new provider. It’s valid for 30 days. If you have multiple numbers on the account, request it through your provider’s website or by phone instead.
The starting price isn’t the full bill
Before signing up, add up the cost over the whole minimum term, including setup fees and scheduled price rises. That’s the figure to compare between deals. A monthly rolling contract is worth considering if you want the freedom to leave, but a longer commitment may work out cheaper.
Since 17 January 2025, new phone, broadband, and pay-TV contracts have had to state any built-in price rises in pounds and pence, along with when they’ll happen. That makes comparisons easier, but it doesn’t mean prices are frozen. An older contract may still have inflation-linked increases.
For broadband, One Touch Switch lets your new provider manage the move. Your existing provider must tell you about any early termination charges before you proceed. If broadband is part of a bundle, check what moving it means for the services you’re keeping.
Renewals need a reminder
Once you’ve decided what to keep, put the cancellation deadlines in your calendar, with enough notice to act before each one. Do the same when you start a free trial. You might decide to carry on paying, which is fine – at least you’ll have made the choice.
There’s no need to turn this into a weekend of financial admin, either. Find one service you no longer want, cancel it, and check that the payments stop. You can tackle the broadband contract next. Netflix won’t be offended if you take a month off, and you can enjoy a little more pocket change.
