Quick question: how much do you spend on subscriptions each month?

If you answered with a number, it's probably wrong — and probably low. Studies of consumer spending keep finding the same thing: people underestimate their recurring charges, sometimes by half. Not because they're careless, but because $9.99 here and $14.99 there is specifically designed to feel like nothing.

Here's the 20-minute audit that fixes it. All you need is a spreadsheet (or a piece of paper, honestly).

Step 1: List everything (10 minutes)

Open your last two bank or card statements and write down every recurring charge. All of them:

Streaming (video, music, gaming)

Apps and software

Cloud storage

Gym and fitness apps

News, courses, memberships

The free trial that converted in March and that you've paid for ever since

For each one, note the amount and whether it bills monthly or yearly.

Step 2: Convert everything to yearly cost (2 minutes)

This is where it gets real. A $12/month app is $144 a year.…