How to stop subscription creep and save money on streaming and app subscriptions

What is your Netflix subscription really costing you? Are paid TV subscriptions like Binge, Disney + and Stan causing you subscription creep? We’re here to help you audit, cancel, and automate your way to stress-free subscription management.

What is subscription creep and why is it costing you money?

Subscription creep is when you accumulate paid subscriptions you no longer use or forgot to cancel, and those recurring charges continue without you noticing. Between streaming platforms, fitness apps, free trials and digital memberships, it is easy to end up paying for services you do not actually need.

According to NAB, Aussies are spending an average of $670 per year on subscriptions. The scariest part? Most of us don’t know how much we are actually spending each month on subscriptions. But I come bearing good news: managing your paid subscriptions is easier than you think, and it could save you hundreds (if not thousands) a year. Let’s break it down.

How do you find your active subscriptions (Netflix, Disney+, Canva, YouTube Premium)?

You can find all active subscriptions by checking your bank statements, credit card statements, App Store or Google Play settings, PayPal payments, and emails for renewal notices. This gives you a full 12-month view of every recurring expense.

Follow these steps to uncover all your paid services:

• Review 12 months of bank and card transactions for monthly or annual charges
• Check Apple or Google Play for app subscriptions
• Check PayPal for digital service renewals
• Search your email for “receipt”, “renewal”, “subscription”, “invoice”
• Look at Buy Now Pay Later accounts if applicable.

Streaming services, fitness apps, cloud storage, software, kids’ games, premium upgrades and forgotten “free trials” often hide here. Many Australians underestimate how much they are spending across these small charges, which is why a full audit is essential.

What is the best way to audit your subscriptions and track what you’re paying for?

The best way to audit your subscriptions is to create a list of every recurring payment, what it costs, how often it renews and whether you actually use it. This gives you a clear picture of what can be cancelled or downgraded.

Here is how to do it:

1. Write down every subscription or app payment you find
2. Note the renewal frequency and cost
3. Ask yourself the following:
   
   
   • am I using this subscription enough to justify the cost
   • do I enjoy it or need it
   • could I share a plan with family
   • is there a cheaper or free alternative
   • would I notice if it disappeared.
     
4. Cancel or pause anything you are not using
5. Keep only the subscriptions that genuinely add value to your life.

In my home, we use a one-streaming-service-per-month rule. We choose the platform we actually want to watch at the time and pause the rest. It keeps our viewing intentional and stops subscription creep before it starts.

Pro tip: Have your friends subscribe to one streaming service each and take turns hosting movie nights or series binge sessions. It’s budget-friendly fun for everyone!

Cancel or downgrade unwanted subscriptions to save money

You can cancel unwanted subscriptions by going directly into your account settings, rather than deleting the app from your device. Most subscriptions must be cancelled through the service itself or through your Apple or Google Play settings.

Here is what to check:

• Apple: Settings, your name, Subscriptions
• Android: Google Play Store, Profile, Payments and Subscriptions
• The service provider’s website under Account or Billing.

Be prepared for guilt-tripping pop-ups. Many companies make cancelling more emotional than leaving a family lunch. Push through the messages about “exclusive titles” and “we will miss you”. They are designed to keep you subscribed.

Pro tip: Downgrade services. Spotify Free or ad-supported YouTube still let you enjoy the content you love while saving you money. Ads are a small price to pay for big savings.

How a budget will help you manage subscriptions and avoid surprise charges

A personal budget helps you manage subscriptions by showing exactly where your money is going, when renewals hit and which services are quietly draining your account. When everything is tracked in one place, you can make clear decisions about what to keep or cut.

Try using the free Personal Budget Template  It helps you:

• Track every subscription
• Separate needs from wants
• Plan for renewal dates
• Set savings goals
• Create more financial visibility.

If you are paying for a meal planning subscription, swap it for our free Healthy Meals on a Budget Guide. It includes recipes, shopping lists and templates with no ongoing cost.

If you want help managing everything, MyBudget can create a tailored plan and automate your bills and payments for you. No more late fees, surprise renewals or forgotten subscriptions.

“We didn’t realise how many little expenses were creeping into our budget. Things like subscriptions we didn’t use anymore really added up. MyBudget helped us find those and cut back, which made a huge difference in our savings.”

Erin, MyBudget Client

Automate subscription payments and avoid surprise renewal fees

You can avoid surprise renewals by setting calendar reminders a few days before each renewal date. This gives you time to decide whether you want to keep or cancel the subscription before the money leaves your account.

Here is how to set it up:

• Add a reminder in your phone for each renewal date
• Name them clearly, for example: “Canva Pro renews on 14 Feb, keep or cancel”
• Review it on the day and make a conscious decision
• Delete services you no longer want.

This simple habit prevents accidental renewals and keeps your budget intentional.

Review your subscriptions regularly to avoid subscription creep

You should review your subscriptions every three to six months to make sure you are only paying for what you use. Your needs change, your habits change and your financial goals change, so your subscription list should change too.

Think of it like a seasonal clean-out for your digital life.

Why does managing subscriptions matter for your budget and long-term savings?

Managing subscriptions is important because unnecessary recurring charges reduce the money available for your savings, emergency fund and long-term goals. By cutting back on services you do not use, you free up money for the things that matter.

Every dollar you stop wasting is a dollar you can put towards:

• Your emergency savings
• A holiday fund
• Paying off debt
• Your next car
• School holidays
• Your cost-of-living buffer.

Small changes create big results over time.

How can MyBudget help me stop subscription creep and take control of my money?

MyBudget can help you stop subscription creep by building a personalised budget, automating your bills, tracking your expenses and preventing surprise charges. We do the heavy lifting so you can focus on living life without money worries.

Here is what MyBudget can do for you:

• Find all of your paid subscriptions
• Help you decide which ones to keep or cancel
• Create a personalised budget that reflects your goals
• Pay your bills on time
• Prevent unexpected subscription renewals
• Help you save for what matters most.

With over 25 years of experience and more than 130,000 Australians helped, we know how to take the stress out of money management.

Enquire online or call 1300 300 922 today.