You don’t need an app to manage subscriptions - create a spreadsheet!
Musing #1:
When I listen to music on YouTube, I keep hearing the same ad: someone is asked how many subscriptions they have, and they confidently say two. But then, the app’s representative reveals a much longer list—charges they didn’t even realize they were still paying for. The message is clear: most of us are spending more than we think on subscriptions we don’t use or even remember signing up for.
And the ad’s solution? Download another app to help you manage it all. My reaction every time: absolutely not.
You don’t need an app to tell you what you’re paying for. What you need is a little financial literacy—and maybe just some basic bookkeeping. Here’s what I mean: log into your bank and credit card accounts and download your statements from the past year. Use Excel (or Google Sheets) to list your monthly expenses. You’ll quickly spot any recurring charges you forgot about.
After that, do a regular check-in—once a month, or like I do, once a week—to make sure you’re only paying for what you actually use and need. You don’t need yet another subscription to keep track of your subscriptions. And you’ll build real confidence in managing your money. No app can do that for you.
And don’t even get me started on the version of the ad where the guy says he was paying for a meal subscription for a year… to an old address. Really?
See you in the next musing - Raquel
