Easy method for Brits to save lots of £400 a 12 months – and chances are you’ll not even discover what you are lacking
Brits are spending hundreds on duplicate subscriptions or services they don’t use and could save upto £400 a year without even really realising what has changed
Brits spend as much as £1,200 a year on subscriptions with millions paying for duplicate or unused services, new research has revealed.
Polling found 19% of subscribers don’t even use every service they pay for and could save up to £400 a year by cancelling or consolidating services.
With millions planning to get their finances in order in 2026, it’s no surprise that 31% plan to actively review and cancel unused services this year, according to the survey by Nationwide.
Meanwhile, others plan to save by utilising free trials (22%), switching to lower-cost tiers (20%), or negotiating better deals with their providers (19%).
Much of the overspend is driven by households unknowingly paying twice for the same services or failing to share accounts with the people they live with.
More than a third (37%) admit they are paying for duplicated accounts, while 44% say they do not share any subscriptions across their household.
The biggest culprits are streaming platforms such as Netflix, Now TV and Disney+, reflecting the realities of modern households and flatshares, breakups, and mismatched preference.
Despite the additional expenditure, some said that spending extra each month was a conscious choice, with 32% preferring to have their own account.
Laura, a teacher from London, said: “I currently spend about £175 a month on subscriptions, and I don’t share any with my housemates or partner.
‘While I’ve definitely reevaluated my subscription spending in the past year, I wouldn’t be able to get rid of my coffee or gym memberships as they’re essential to me, and I’m afraid if I told my partner, they’d say they’re not necessary.”
Despite so many of us subscribing to multiple services, there are signs of digital fatigue. Half of Brits (53%) now buy physical media instead, with 33% saying they’re easier to share.
There has also been a resurgence in buying physical books and magazines and board games and puzzles, as well as video games, CDs and vinyl.
Nationwide says that even small changes, such as cancelling forgotten subscriptions or pooling services across a household, could make a noticeable difference to monthly budgets.
Mark Nalder, service, operations & performance director at Nationwide, said: “The start of a new year is a natural time to reassess spending and priorities, and for many, budgets will be tight. As we head into 2026, it’s more important than ever to take stock of our outgoings and look for ways to save.
“Whether it’s pooling resources for a cheaper family plan with your housemates or cancelling memberships you’ve forgotten about, managing your regular outgoings and factoring them into your budget can be crucial in avoiding overspend.”
You can use Nationwide’s Budget Builder app to help manage your subscriptions and find other ways to save.
