Have you ever looked at your bank statement and thought, “Wait… when did I even sign up for that?” Because, same. A few months ago, I realized my money was slowly disappearing—not on shopping sprees or luxury splurges—but on subscriptions I forgot existed. From streaming services I barely watched to apps that silently renewed, it was like I had a bunch of invisible holes in my wallet.

So, I started doing something a little bold—I cancel everything once a month. And let me tell you, this simple habit has been one of the biggest money-savers I’ve ever tried. Not only do I save hundreds of dollars every year, but I also feel like I have control over where my money goes (and that, my friend, feels amazing).

The Wake-Up Call 💡

It all started when I realized I was paying for three different streaming platforms… and only watching one. My gym membership? Gathering digital dust. I was subscribed to a “healthy snack” box that, truthfully, I forgot to even open most months.

It hit me hard—these weren’t big purchases, but they were sneaky and consistent. A $10 app here, a $15 membership there—it all adds up faster than you’d think. That’s when I decided to take a radical approach:
Every month, I hit the “cancel” button on anything that isn’t absolutely essential.

How I Cancel Everything (and Still Live Comfortably)

The trick isn’t about living without joy or entertainment. It’s about creating a fresh start every single month. Here’s what I do:

1. I Check My Bank Statement Like a Detective 🕵️‍♀️
   I literally go line by line to spot anything I haven’t used or don’t need.

2. Cancel First, Re-Add Later (If I Miss It)
   If I cancel Netflix today and miss it next month, I can always restart. But 9 times out of 10, I don’t even notice it’s gone.

3. Put That “Saved” Money Somewhere Fun
   I transfer the exact amount I saved that month into a “treat yourself” or savings account. Watching those small amounts add up feels like giving myself a high-five.

Why This Works So Well

When you cancel everything once a month, you force yourself to intentionally choose what truly brings value to your life. Most of us pay for subscriptions out of habit, not because we genuinely use them. This habit resets that autopilot spending.

The Results That Blew My Mind

Within the first two months, I saved almost $200. By month six, I was shocked—I had saved over $1,000 just from canceling things I barely used. That’s money I’ve now put toward weekend getaways, a dreamy skincare set, and even my emergency fund.

And the best part? I don’t feel deprived. If anything, I feel lighter. It’s like decluttering your closet, but for your finances.

The “Cancel List” System That Saves Me Hundreds Every Month 💳✨

Alright, let’s dive into the good stuff—how you can actually do this without feeling like you’re cutting off all your fun. I’ve developed what I like to call my “Cancel List” system, and trust me, it’s so simple that once you try it, you’ll never go back to blindly paying for things you don’t use.

Step 1: Write Down Everything You Pay for Automatically

Yes, every single subscription. Streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+), monthly apps, gym memberships, subscription boxes, even those sneaky $3 cloud storage fees.

When I first did this, I had 14 subscriptions (I’m not even kidding). No wonder I felt broke at the end of every month! Seeing it all on paper made me realize how much money I was wasting on autopilot.

Step 2: Rank Them by Happiness Value

I ask myself one simple question for each item:

“Does this actually make my life better or happier?”

For example, Spotify? Absolutely yes—I use it every day while cooking or working out. But that random meditation app I downloaded months ago? It was just sitting there, silently charging me $9.99 every month. That one? Gone.

Step 3: Cancel EVERYTHING for 30 Days

This might sound extreme, but trust me—it’s life-changing. When you cancel all non-essential subscriptions, you’re forced to notice what you really miss. If I find myself reaching for Disney+ after a week, I’ll consider adding it back. But if I never think about it? It stays canceled.

Step 4: Set a “Re-Subscribe” Budget

Here’s where it gets fun. The money you save from all those canceled subscriptions? Move it into a separate account (or even a jar) for something you truly love—like a girls’ brunch, a cute new bag, or a guilt-free weekend getaway.

I personally call this my “Fun Freedom Fund”—because every dollar I don’t waste on unused subscriptions goes straight into something that brings real joy.

Step 5: Repeat Every Month (Takes 10 Minutes!)

I treat this like a monthly ritual. On the first weekend of every month, I sit with my coffee, check my bank statement, and clean up my “financial clutter.” It’s like hitting the reset button on my budget—and it feels amazing.

How This Changed My Financial Life

This small habit gave me a sense of control I didn’t even know I was missing. I stopped feeling guilty about my spending because I knew exactly where my money was going. And let’s be honest—knowing you’ve saved an extra $200 without doing anything hard? That’s a confidence boost no latte can give.

I’ve even started applying this “cancel culture” to other areas of life. I regularly “cancel” things that drain me—like commitments I don’t want to do or apps that make me feel overwhelmed. It’s not just saving me money; it’s saving me mental space too.

Want to Try This? Start Small.

• Take 15 minutes today and list your subscriptions.

• Cancel one or two things you barely use.

• Move that money into a savings jar and watch how quickly it adds up.

Trust me, by the end of three months, you’ll feel like you’ve given yourself a raise.

If I can do this—and I used to be the queen of “forgetting” about my free trials—you can do it too. Your wallet (and your future self) will thank you.