How-to
How to Use the Subscription and Waste Spending Detector
Upload or paste your transactions, pick the right settings, run the scan, then decide what to do with the findings. This walkthrough keeps each step clear so you feel comfortable spotting recurring charges and possible waste.
Published: December 24, 2025 - Updated: December 24, 2025 - By FinToolSuite Editorial
Quick steps
- Export a CSV of your transactions.
- Upload the CSV or paste the rows.
- Choose currency and the yearly subscription toggle.
- Run the analysis.
- Review results and export what you need.
Disclaimer
Educational purposes only; not financial advice. Examples are illustrative and results depend on your data; they are not guaranteed. Review items before canceling or changing anything. Do not upload data you do not need; mask or remove account numbers if present.
Your data is processed to detect recurring patterns; see the Privacy Policy for details.
Step 1: Export your bank statement as CSV
Download a recent transaction export from your bank as a CSV file. Keep dates, descriptions, and amounts in separate columns. If the tool offers a CSV template download, grab it so the headers already match what the detector expects.
Need column details? Visit CSV format help.
Step 2: Upload CSV or paste transactions
Upload the CSV for the fullest scan. Paste is handy for a quick check on a smaller list. Keep the signs as they appear on your statement: refunds negative, charges positive.
| Method | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CSV upload | Full statement review | Matches the expected columns; use the template if provided. |
| Paste | Quick spot-check | Good for a recent month; smaller datasets process quickly. |
If an error mentions missing headers, check the CSV format guide and confirm that date, description, and amount are present.
Step 3: Choose currency and include yearly subscriptions
Pick the currency that matches your statement so totals and waste estimates stay accurate. If you have annual subscriptions, turn on the yearly toggle so the detector converts them into monthly equivalents when estimating spend.
Step 4: Run analysis
Start the scan to identify recurring charges, possible duplicates, and potential price changes. The tool does not cancel anything; you stay in control of what to keep or change.
Step 5: Read the results
- Summary metrics: Transactions scanned, subscriptions found, and estimated monthly/yearly waste (directional, not a promise).
- Detected subscriptions list: Merchant names, amounts, cadences, and flags to review.
- After cleanup snapshot: Shows spend if flagged items are removed or changed.
- Monthly snapshot graph: Compares current, cancelable, and projected spend so you can see the difference at a glance.
Need a deeper read? Visit how to read the results.
Step 6: Export your results
- CSV: Handy for spreadsheets or adding notes.
- JSON: Useful for developers or automation.
- PDF: A portable snapshot for your records.
Simple habit: run a scan monthly, save your exports, and compare them to see trends. Find more answers in the FAQ.
Common errors and quick fixes
- Missing columns: add date, description, and amount headers (see CSV format help).
- Date format issues: use a consistent date style like YYYY-MM-DD.
- Amount sign reversed: charges positive, refunds negative.
- Currency mismatch: select the currency that matches your file.
- Duplicate rows: deduplicate before uploading.
- Pending transactions: clear them or mark them so they do not double-count.
- Merchant names inconsistent: keep the descriptor field intact so grouping works.
- Annual subscriptions not detected: turn on the yearly toggle.
- Refunds counted as spend: ensure refunds are negative amounts.
- Small dataset: add more history for clearer patterns.
For header and sample formats, review CSV format help.
Mini example walkthrough (illustrative)
Here is a short sample of transactions. Your results will differ based on your data and how your bank labels merchants.
Date,Description,Amount
2025-10-02,StreamBox Monthly,-12.99
2025-10-15,MusicPlus Premium,-9.99
2025-11-02,StreamBox Monthly,-12.99
2025-11-15,MusicPlus Premium,-9.99
2025-11-20,StreamBox Plus,-15.99
2025-12-02,StreamBox Monthly,-12.99
2025-12-15,MusicPlus Premium,-9.99
2025-12-20,StreamBox Plus,-15.99Likely flags: StreamBox Monthly and StreamBox Plus may appear as a recurring charge with a possible price change; MusicPlus Premium appears monthly. Use these as prompts to confirm which plan you prefer.
FAQ preview
What CSV columns do I need?
Date, description, and amount. See the CSV format help for headers.
Does it work with yearly subscriptions?
Yes. Turn on the yearly toggle so annual charges are included in monthly estimates.
Why is something flagged as duplicate?
Similar merchant names or overlapping charges can trigger a duplicate flag. Review and confirm what to keep.
Why do merchant names look different?
Banks shorten descriptors. Check the full description to match the service you recognize.
Are results guaranteed?
No. Findings are illustrative; verify with your statements and the merchant.
Read the full FAQ: Subscription and Waste Spending Detector FAQ.
Final call to action
Run a scan, spend ten minutes reviewing, and decide what stays and what deserves a closer look.