Subscriptions have become such a normal part of everyday life that many of us barely notice them leaving our accounts – whether it\u2019s a streaming service, a gym membership or that all-important Friday night takeaway, all thanks to your Uber, Deliveroo or JustEat membership.<\/p>\n
But that convenience can come with a sting: lots of people aren\u2019t fully aware of what they\u2019re paying for, and recurring charges can slip through unnoticed until the balance looks lower than expected.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why online bank Monzo is encouraging people to do a quick bank spring clean – a simple check of regular outgoings to spot anything you no longer use. In their survey of 2,000 UK adults, Monzo found the average person spends about \u00a338.18 a month on subscriptions – roughly \u00a31.74 billion across the UK.<\/p>\n
In a recent blog published on March 31, 2026, it urged people to consider the following:<\/p>\n
The bank stresses: "Spring cleaning doesn\u2019t have to mean ruthlessly cancelling everything. It\u2019s more about figuring out what still earns its place \u2013 keeping the subscriptions you love, upgrading the ones you use all the time, and finally saying goodbye to the ones you forgot you even had. Like the streaming service you signed up to for that one show\u2026 which you\u2019re still paying for months later.<\/p>\n
Monzo isn\u2019t the only personal finance expert warning about free trials. MoneySavingExpert (MSE), founded by Martin Lewis, says you shouldn\u2019t wait to cancel – and instead recommends cancelling as soon as you sign up, so you don\u2019t get caught by an automatic charge later.<\/p>\n
Urging people not to worry about "obscure instructions on how to cancel", it states: "Get used to cancelling (or, more accurately, turning off auto-renewal for) your subscription as part of the signing-up process. Even during a free trial period, you'll generally retain access to the content until the end of the trial or current billing period."<\/p>\n
It also suggests using the classic bluffing method to save some hard-earned cash. MSE explain: "We've plenty of guides (and success stories) on haggling down your Sky, broadband, mobile bills and more.<\/p>\n
"But there's a much easier way that should take less than a minute and doesn't involve working yourself up to hard bargaining. Many online subscriptions shower you with retention offers with just a few clicks, if you start the cancellation process online \u2013 no phone call or haggling required.<\/p>\n
"Now TV has been known to offer half-price streaming for several months, while Audible sometimes gives out free credits for getting audiobooks or reduced pricing. Other companies known to do this include Disney+, HelloFresh, DAZN, Uber One, and many digital newspapers."<\/p>\n