ONE IN THREE AUSSIES PAY FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS THEY DON'T USE: HOW TO STOP THE LEAK
Before you add anything to your cart this Black Friday, it might be worth checking your bank statement for subscriptions you have completely forgotten about.
New research from comparison site Finder shows that one in three Australians is paying for at least one subscription they do not use.
The cost of forgotten subscriptions
Finder's 2026 Household Report, released this week, found that 34 per cent of Australians pay for at least one unused subscription.
That is roughly 7.4 million people.
Among those with unused paid subscriptions, the typical amount wasted is between $26 and $50 every month.
Almost a quarter of that group, 24 per cent, is paying $51 or more a month, which adds up to more than $600 a year.
The survey of 1,004 people was carried out in September.
Younger Australians are the worst offenders
The habit is far more common among younger people.
Half of Gen Z respondents, 51 per cent, said they pay for a subscription they do not use.
That compares with 42 per cent of millennials, 25 per cent of Gen X and just 11 per cent of baby boomers.
So if you have adult children at home, this could be a useful conversation over dinner.
Just under half of all respondents, 47 per cent, said they use every subscription they pay for.
Another 2 per cent admitted they were not even sure what they were subscribed to.
Finder utilities expert Mariam Gajabi said the problem often begins with a free trial.
"Subscriptions are easy to forget about," she said, especially when people sign up planning to cancel later.
Why it matters right now
The timing is important, with Black Friday on November 27 and Christmas not far behind.
Recent Pureprofile research found 58 per cent of Australians plan to use sales events to help cover Christmas costs.
The same research found 47 per cent of Black Friday shoppers often spend more than they planned.
Cancelling even one or two unused services could free up money for gifts or the Christmas food shop without touching your credit card.
How to audit your subscriptions in 15 minutes
Set aside a quiet quarter of an hour with a cuppa and your banking app.
You do not need any special tools, just a little honesty about what you really use each week.
Scroll back through the last two or three months of transactions and note every recurring charge, however small.
Check app store subscription settings on your phone too, as many charges are billed there rather than directly.
Look at your email for words such as "trial", "renewal" or "membership" to find sign-ups you have forgotten.
Gajabi suggests cancelling anything you have not used in the past month, because you can always resubscribe later.
See whether a cheaper tier, such as an ad-supported plan or a bundle, would cover what you actually watch or use.
If several people in your household pay for the same service, consider whether one shared plan makes more sense, within the provider's rules.
Set a reminder in your phone to repeat the check every few months, as Finder recommends.
Shop the sales with a clear head
Once you have found your savings, put them somewhere useful, such as a Christmas fund, a savings account or your next debt repayment.
When the sales do arrive, the ACCC has previously advised shoppers to check current prices before sales start and to read the conditions behind headline discounts.
A little preparation now means you can enjoy the bargains without the January bill shock.
And if you are worried about money or debt, the free and confidential National Debt Helpline is available on 1800 007 007.
