Have you ever signed up for a free trial or a service, with the intention to use it, and then forgot all about it? Meanwhile, the charges keep hitting your account month after month. Little by little, they eat into your budget, and before you know it, you’ve spent way more than you planned. Here are ten payments that tend to slip through the cracks most often.
Forgotten Streaming Subscriptions
Most people sign up for multiple streaming platforms but only use a couple regularly. Those unused subscriptions—still billing every month—add up fast. Auto-renewals keep charging, even when you haven’t watched a thing in months.
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Old Gym Memberships You Never Use
Gym memberships are notorious for being hard to cancel. Whether you signed up during a New Year’s resolution or a free trial, these fees quietly hit your account monthly, even if you haven’t stepped inside in ages.
Unused App Subscriptions
That premium meditation app or productivity tool you tried for a week? It’s still charging you. Many app subscriptions renew through your phone’s app store, making it easy to forget they’re even active until you spot the charge.
Forgotten Cloud Storage Plans
Extra cloud storage for photos, files, or backup services often flies under the radar. These charges are small enough to go unnoticed, but they quietly siphon away money—especially if you’re no longer using the service.
Auto-Renewing Magazine or News Subscriptions
Digital magazines and online news outlets often auto-renew with minimal notice. What started as a promotional trial keeps charging after you’ve stopped reading, adding unnecessary clutter (and cost) to your monthly budget.
Premium Credit Card Add-Ons
Some credit cards come with optional services—like travel insurance or fraud monitoring—that carry monthly fees. These “extras” are often forgotten, especially if you never actively used them, but they continue charging quietly.
Forgotten Meal Kit Deliveries
Maybe you paused the subscription, maybe you didn’t. Meal kits that auto-renew often catch people off guard when a new box shows up (with a charge attached). If you’re not careful, a skipped week turns into a full-priced surprise.
Old Software Subscriptions
That editing program or project management tool you stopped using six months ago? It’s probably still charging. Many software services bill annually, so when it hits your account, it feels like a random—and painful—expense.
Donation Subscriptions to Causes You’ve Forgotten
Recurring donations to charities or crowdfunding campaigns often continue long after you intended. While supporting good causes is great, losing track of how many you’re subscribed to can stretch your budget without you noticing.
Free Trials That Weren’t Actually Free
The infamous free trial that required a credit card upfront? It’s now billing you monthly because you forgot to cancel. These small amounts feel harmless at first but quickly pile up if left unchecked.
13 Surprising Expenses You’re Forgetting to Budget For
Budgeting can feel like a chore, but it’s a key factor in staying financially stable. Even the most detailed budgets can miss hidden expenses that sneak up unexpectedly. These forgotten costs can derail your finances if you’re unprepared, so it’s important to account for them early. Below are some common–yet sneaky–expenses you may be overlooking. 13 Surprising Expenses You’re Forgetting to Budget For