How to do a subscription audit
The audit is uncomfortable because it produces evidence. Most people find two or three things they are paying for out of inertia, and the point is to decide deliberately rather than to feel bad.
What matters here
- Pull three months of statements
- List every recurring charge
- Mark last month's actual usage
- Cancel or pause what is unused
- Set a review date for the borderline ones
Finding them all
Three months of statements catches monthly and quarterly charges. Annual ones need a longer look, often in the same month each year, so check your email for renewal receipts too.
The usage test
Not did I intend to use it, but did I. Usage is the only honest signal. A subscription used twice in a month is fine; one used twice in six months is a donation.
Borderline cases
Some things are worth keeping for occasional use, like a backup service. For those, write a review date rather than deciding forever. A decision with a date is much easier to make.
Frequently asked questions
Keep reading
- What is voice-to-task?Voice-to-task means speaking a request in natural language and having it turned into a structured, dated task. Here is how it works and when it helps.
- What is a countdown timer?A countdown timer counts down to a moment, such as a deadline, a launch or eight minutes of steeping tea.
- What is a mind map?A mind map is a diagram that starts with one idea in the centre and branches outward into related ideas, used to explore rather than to plan.
Turn talk into a plan
Capture a thought in plain language and let Prysm Note shape it into tasks and a timeline.
Disclaimer
This page is general information, not professional, legal, financial or medical advice. It describes common ways of working and how Prysm Note approaches them. Software changes over time, so details may differ from what you see in the product. Any product, company or brand names that appear are the property of their respective owners and are used only for identification. We do not claim any endorsement or affiliation. Where we compare approaches, we aim to describe each one honestly, including where a different approach may suit you better. Try the tools that matter to you and judge for yourself.