How to Compare Two Products Properly
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How to Audit Monthly Subscriptions
Find recurring charges, calculate annual cost and decide which subscriptions still earn their place.
On this pageCreate a complete listConvert monthly cost into annual costAsk three questionsFinal takeawayRelated guides
Use this guide well
- Start with the assumptions used in the example.
- Replace example numbers with your own data where applicable.
- Use the checklist before making an important change or purchase.
What to pay attention to
Use the framework to separate the things that materially affect your decision from details that look impressive but do not change the outcome.
What this page is trying to do
A good comparison ends with a reason for the choice. The point is not to collect specifications; it is to understand which differences matter for your particular use.
Lumtrek approach: Start with the simplest useful calculation or decision rule, then check the assumptions that can change the result.
Create a complete list
Review bank, card and payment-service statements for recurring charges. Looking only at the app-store subscription screen can miss direct-billed services.
Convert monthly cost into annual cost
A ₹499 monthly service is ₹5,988 per year before taxes or changes in price. Seeing the annual number can make low monthly charges easier to evaluate.
Ask three questions
- Did I use it recently?
- Would I buy it again today?
- Is there a cheaper plan or better alternative?
A practical worksheet for your situation
Use these prompts with the information you actually have. They are designed to turn a general explanation into a decision you can reproduce, check and revisit.
Export or list recurring charges
Use your bank or payment records and do not rely only on memory.
Mark actual usage
For each subscription, note the last time you used the service and what problem it solves.
Check renewal terms
Some services renew automatically or change price after an introductory period.
Cancel deliberately
Confirm the cancellation status and keep the confirmation for the relevant service.
Before you rely on the answer
Check the exact version, model, date, price, tariff, policy or rule that applies to you. This page explains a method; it does not replace the current terms supplied by a manufacturer, service provider or public authority.
Further reading and verification
These official sources are useful starting points for checking current rules, documentation or standards related to this topic.
- Microsoft Support — Practical software and productivity support
- Google Workspace Learning Center — Google Workspace user guidance
Final takeaway
Find recurring charges, calculate annual cost and decide which subscriptions still earn their place. The most useful approach is to use the numbers and context you actually have, check the important assumptions, and avoid treating a single headline figure as universal.
The goal of a subscription audit is to recover attention as well as money
Monthly services are easy to overlook because each charge is small. A useful audit groups recurring payments by purpose and asks whether the service is still used often enough to justify the cost. Annual plans deserve the same attention because they can hide inside a single larger payment.
- Review bank or card statements, not memory alone.
- Mark each service as active, occasional or unused.
- Check renewal dates before cancelling or downgrading.
- Record which household member or project actually needs the service.
An audit is most effective when repeated periodically. Keep the result simple: services to keep, services to cancel, and services to review later.
Before you make a decision
Use the points below as a quick check. They are deliberately specific to this subject rather than a universal checklist.
What would change your conclusion about “How to Audit Monthly Subscriptions” if one important assumption turned out to be wrong?