Track subscriptions by provider, amount, billing frequency, renewal date and last known use. Convert each amount to a monthly and yearly estimate so unlike billing cycles can be compared. Review the contract and cancellation route before stopping a payment.
Build a complete recurring-payment list
Review bank and card records across a period long enough to include annual renewals. Record the service rather than sensitive account details. Note whether payment uses Direct Debit, standing order or recurring card payment because cancellation routes and contract obligations differ.
Normalise weekly, monthly and annual charges into comparable estimates. Keep the original billed amount and frequency visible so the calculation can be checked.
Review use and obligation separately
Last known use can prompt a review, but lack of recent use does not prove a subscription is unnecessary. Insurance, storage, professional services and seasonal products may remain valuable without frequent interaction. Record what the service is for, the next renewal and the consequence of losing it.
Cancelling a payment method does not necessarily cancel the underlying contract. Check notice periods, early-exit charges and the provider's current process. MoneyHelper advises regular review of automatic payments and explains the differences between payment types.
What is the original amount and billing frequency?
Keeps the yearly estimate traceable to the statement.
What continuing job does this service perform?
Separates low use from low value.
When does it renew and what notice is required?
Creates time to act before another term begins.
Keep, change, cancel or investigate?
Turns the audit into an owned next step.
Treat spending patterns as evidence, not morality
For optional purchases, record the amount and the situation in which it occurred. Several entries may reveal a repeatable context worth changing. They do not prove impulsivity, addiction or a diagnosis.
The Money Leak Log calculates recurring monthly and yearly estimates and retains optional-spend notes locally in the browser. Do not enter bank credentials, card numbers or unnecessary identifying data.
Frequently asked questions
Review bank and card records, including a period long enough to catch annual renewals, and check app-store or provider accounts.
Not necessarily. Check the provider contract and cancellation process before stopping the payment instruction.
No. Review its purpose, consequence, terms and realistic future use before deciding.
What private and pay once mean
Private means the downloaded tool needs no account and makes no network requests, so the publisher receives no copy of what you enter. The record stays in the current browser unless you export it. Browser storage and exported backups are not encrypted or protected from another person who can use the same browser profile or read the file.
Pay once means you may keep reusing the version you downloaded without a subscription. Future major versions and continuing support are separate unless they are explicitly included. There is no cloud sync: export a backup before clearing browser data or changing device.
Use the smallest useful tool
The method above does not require a purchase. If a retained local record would reduce repeated setup, review the relevant interactive tool after its tested release.