Paid memberships are worth auditing once a year, because almost all of them are priced on the assumption that you will forget. The test is simple: what did it actually save or provide in the last twelve months, against what it cost.
Some are genuinely cheap insurance - roadside assistance, for instance, usually costs less than a single tow. Others quietly duplicate something you already have through a card, an employer or an insurer, and the duplication is where the money goes.
Before renewing anything, check whether the free tier now does what you use it for, and whether an annual payment is cheaper than the monthly one you are on.
Where to look
- Your library card Free books, audiobooks, courses, museum passes; find your local system
- Subscription audit Total up what your recurring charges cost per year
Well-known places people commonly use, chosen editorially, not sponsored, no affiliate relationships. Offers, eligibility and amounts change often, so check the current terms on the site itself before counting on one.
How to play it
Prime-style, delivery passes, gyms: fee ÷ real monthly use = the honest per-use price. The Cost Per Use tool does it.
Family plans for streaming, clubs and phone lines slice fees 30-60% legitimately.
Gyms and many services offer $0-$5 holds, right-sized for a tight quarter.
Books, audiobooks, streaming, museum passes, tools and meeting rooms: $0.