After retiring last year, I finally sat down and took a long, hard look at where my money was going. What surprised me most wasn’t how much I was spending—it was what I was spending it on. So much of it felt like autopilot. Monthly subscriptions, services I didn’t really use, and conveniences that weren’t actually saving me time or money. This year, I made it my mission to cut the fat.
Here are the bills I canceled that turned out to be a complete waste of money.
Cable TV
I grew up with cable. For decades, it was a non-negotiable part of the household. But this year, I realized I was paying over $150 a month for a service I barely used. I’d mostly watch the news or reruns I could find elsewhere. I replaced it with a couple of affordable streaming services and haven’t missed cable once. Plus, the picture’s better and there are no commercials.
Landline Phone
I kept my landline for “emergencies”—or so I told myself. Truth is, it barely rang. And when it did, it was either spam or someone trying to sell me something. My cellphone does everything I need, and I can still dial 911 if I have to. Canceling the landline cut a small but steady charge that added up over time.
Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions
I loved getting the Sunday paper and flipping through a good magazine with my morning coffee. But lately, the stack just sat there unread. I was already reading most of the news online. I kept one local publication I truly enjoy and let the rest go. Not only am I saving money, but I also feel less cluttered—mentally and physically.
Home Security Monitoring I Didn’t Use
A few years back, I signed up for a home security system with monthly monitoring. But over time, I realized I wasn’t using the app or checking alerts. My neighborhood is quiet, and I already have cameras installed. I switched to a self-monitoring option that doesn’t charge a monthly fee, and I feel just as safe.
Gym Membership
It felt like a good idea when I signed up, but I hardly ever went. I prefer walking in my neighborhood or using free YouTube workouts at home. The gym was a $40-a-month guilt trip I didn’t need anymore. Once I canceled, I actually started exercising more often because I wasn’t beating myself up about not “getting my money’s worth.”
Premium Credit Card Fees
I had a premium credit card with a high annual fee. The travel perks used to be worth it, but I haven’t been traveling much lately. I downgraded to a no-fee card with good cash-back rewards and haven’t looked back. Paying for features I wasn’t using made no sense, especially in retirement.
Auto-Renewing Apps and Subscriptions
This one was sneaky. I went through my credit card statements and noticed small charges here and there for apps, cloud storage, and digital services I forgot I had. One by one, I canceled or downgraded them. Some were only $3 to $5 a month, but together they added up to over $300 a year.
