The Wake Up Call
I was going through my banking app yesterday and I saw a $12.99 charge for a calorie counting app I used for 3 days in 2024. Then I saw $19.99 for a VPN I haven't turned on in 6 months. Then $14 for a streaming service I only used for one show.
I think we all have "subscription leakage." It's thousands of dollars over a lifetime. It's crazy. I'm stopping it today.
The Audit Method
I recommend just printing out your last 3 bank statements. Use a highlighter. Mark everything that's a recurring charge.
In my experience, you'll find at least five things you don't use. I found a fitness app, two music services (why?), and a "pro" tier for an email app I don't even like. I cancelled them all. It took 20 minutes and I'm saving $85 a month now.
The Streaming Trap
Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock. Who has time for all this? Honestly, nobody. You'll just scroll for an hour and then go to sleep.
My rule now? One at a time. Watch your show on Netflix, then cancel it. Move to Disney+ next month. They'll always let you back in. They want your money.
The Cloud Storage Scam
Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox. They all charge $2 or $3 a month for the "extra" 100GB. Then they'll charge $10 when you hit 1TB. It's rent for your memories.
I'm moving back to a hard drive. I spent $150 on an 8TB drive and I'm done. No more monthly bills. It's local. It's safe. It's mine.
My Advice
Take 30 minutes this weekend. Seriously. Look at your statements. You'll find money you didn't know you were losing. It's literally the easiest way to "earn" $50 or $100 a month in 2026.