You're probably paying for more subscriptions than you think
Many Dutch households spend dozens of euros per month on subscriptions they barely use — Netflix, Spotify, newspaper, gym. Check your situation below in 2 minutes.
The 'leaking tap' nobody sees
Subscriptions are brilliant for companies: small monthly amount, auto-debit, you forget you're paying. €7.99 for Spotify feels like nothing. €14.99 for Netflix too. €4.99 for iCloud too. But 10 such subscriptions = €100+/mo. €1,200+ per year. And part of it you don't even use.
The smartest saving move? Not earning less on small daily costs — but plugging the leaks once and stopping them forever. That's 10x more efficient than 'drinking less coffee'.
Total
€0
per month · €0 per year
Actively used
€0
Money well spent
Sometimes / unsure
€0
Worth reconsidering
Never / forgotten
€0
Cancel immediately
Step 1 — Check what you have
Click the box next to each subscription. Adjust the amount to what you pay. Then mark if you use it actively, sometimes, or never.
Streaming & media
Telecom & internet
Software & cloud
Sports & health
News & knowledge
Food & groceries
Other
5 questions per subscription — stop or keep?
Go through these for each subscription you marked 'sometimes' or 'never'. No judgment — just an honest checklist.
- 1
Have I used it in the LAST month?
Not 'ever' — literally last month. If not: it's no longer a habit. Cancel is always reversible — you can restart if you really miss it.
- 2
How much would I pay if I discovered it today?
Classic reset trick. If Netflix launched tomorrow asking €14.99 — would you sign up for what you currently watch? Honest answer?
- 3
Is there a cheaper or free variant that gives 80%?
Spotify Free (with ads) is free. Netflix-basic is €8.99 vs €14.99. Videoland has free trial. 80% for 40% of price is often plenty.
- 4
Am I paying for something I already have?
Apple TV+ may have come free with your iPhone. Google One comes with Pixel. Microsoft 365 through employer. Always check: am I paying for something already included somewhere?
- 5
How would 3 months without this feel?
The ultimate check. Cancel for 3 months. Does that feel like freedom or loss? Freedom → stay cancelled. Loss → resume, knowing you truly value it.
How to cancel — Dutch laws
Good news: since 1 July 2022, stricter Dutch cancellation rules apply (Wet Van der Burg).
Max 1-month cancellation period
After the first year, a subscription may use max 1-month notice. Silent renewal for a year is NO LONGER allowed.
Cancel like you signed up
Signed up online = allowed to cancel online. No mandatory letters or phone calls. Newspaper subscription signed online? Cancel online.
Use 'opzegbrief.nl' or ACM
If refused or obstructed: free help via opzegbrief.nl (template) or ACM Consuwijzer (report). Companies know this and usually become accommodating.
Cancel in your own account
With Netflix/Spotify/etc: usually 1 click in account settings. With telecom: request via customer service or switching service. Sometimes hidden — search hard or google 'cancel subscription [service]'.
Tip: CANCEL subscriptions BEFORE an annual cycle auto-renews (usually 1 month before anniversary). Some services then offer surprise discounts to keep you.
Frequently asked questions
I always forget which subscriptions I have — how do I get an overview?
Easiest method: scroll through your bank statements of the LAST 2 MONTHS. Every recurring debit = subscription. In Netherlands almost everything goes via SEPA auto-debit, so you see them all. Sort by amount, start with the smallest ones (that's often where forgotten 'non-active' subscriptions hide). Okidoky makes this easier: bank import recognizes recurring transactions and auto-marks them as subscription. Gives you one screen with everything — plus periodic check prompts.
If I have €100/mo in subscriptions, is that a lot?
Contextual. If you earn €3,000 net: €100/mo = ~3.3%. Not extreme. But: the question isn't 'is this a lot' — it's 'do I get €100 of value per month from these subscriptions?' If you open Netflix 3x/year: no. If you use Spotify 3+ hours daily: yes. Rule of thumb: look at what you actually use. A €10 subscription used daily has more value than a €3 subscription collecting dust for months.
Netflix/Spotify sharing with family/friends — is it allowed?
Legally: it's 'allowed' as far as terms of service state. Spotify Family is specifically intended for 1 household (same address). Netflix since 2023 stricter on 'out-of-household use'. Reality: happens massively and enforcement still mild. But companies are building detection — be prepared this gets stricter within 1-2 years. Alternative without gray zone: Spotify Duo (2 people living together, €17.99 vs 2×€11.99). Netflix subscription split and each pay for their own.
Should I cancel ALL doubt-subscriptions immediately?
No — that's often counterproductive. People cancel everything in one day, miss something within 2 weeks, and re-sign at higher prices. Better approach: 1. Identify 'Never'-group → cancel immediately (no thinking). 2. For 'Sometimes'-group: set reminder for 30 days. Did you miss it in those 30 days? No? Cancel. Yes? Keep. 3. Re-evaluate every 6 months — subscription usage changes.
Is this 'being cheap' or 'losing fun'?
Hopefully neither. This isn't about cancelling all subscriptions — it's about KNOWING what you pay and WHY. October-test (popular in FIRE community): in October, stop ALL non-essential subscriptions. After 1 month you know exactly which you MISS (= valuable). Rest you can permanently cancel. Important: the spending you genuinely enjoy — keep doing it. The spending that 'just always was' — that's where your win is.
From overview to action
Now you know where your money went: activate bigger saving tips too, or choose a budget method to stay in control structurally.