I feel like a complete hypocrite. I spend so much time comparing price-per-ounce on toilet paper and driving to a further grocery store just to save $5 on eggs, but I finally sat down to look at my actual bank activity and I’m horrified.
I’ve been so focused on active saving like coupons, sales, etc. that I completely ignored my passive spending. I realized I’ve been paying for a premium version of a language app I haven't opened in six months, and some protection plan for a laptop I traded in a year ago.
The problem is, my bank statement is a mess. It’s all these weird abbreviations and merchant codes that make no sense. I’m so mentally drained from my 9-5 that I just didn't have the energy to play detective.
My spreadsheet analysis found $82 in recurring monthly charges that I had totally tuned out. It’s honestly embarrassing. I’m out here fighting for nickels at the grocery store while these companies are just vacuuming $20 bills out of my account.
I’ve been couponing to save $20 a week while losing $80 a month out the back door
byu/Round_Tie5217 inFrugal
Posted by Round_Tie5217
7 Comments
these stealth rocket money ads are getting old
better to find it now and do something about it, than wait and no do anything about it.
It’s great that you identified this though. I’ve started reviewing my online banking and credit card charges every weekend, and have found and wiped out multiple recurring subscriptions. I started last summer, and by the end of 52 weeks of this, I figure I’ll save a couple of thousand a year.
Better late than never! Clean it up and you’ll save going forward. It happens, and they rely on us not noticing, so glad you noticed eventually! The good habits take time to build, just keep building, you’ll be ok!
Years ago I worked for a dial-up internet provider. Our customers stayed with us an average of ~3.5 years, but the customers who were on auto pay stayed ~5 years. A significant number of auto payers hadn’t used the service in years. Some of them had our service as a backup, but most of them were so used to the recurring charge they just never thought about it. This is why many companies offer a discount if you set up for auto pay.
Let me guess, you also found an app to find and cancel these subscriptions for you?
I bet Nelson Muntz would have something to say to you right about now