FAQ
Subscription Waste Detector FAQ
Quick answers to common upload, results, and privacy questions. Use this to prep your CSV, understand the flags, and know what to do next at a pace that feels comfortable.
Published: December 24, 2025 - Updated: December 24, 2025 - By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
Educational purposes only; not financial advice. Results are estimates based on patterns and are not guaranteed. Verify items before canceling or changing anything. Confirm changes directly with merchants or providers.
For data handling, see the Privacy Policy.
Top questions
FAQs
What CSV columns do I need?
Date, description, and amount. See the CSV format guide.
Can I upload a credit card statement CSV?
Yes, if it has the core columns. Remove sensitive fields first.
Why does upload fail even though it is a CSV?
Check for multiple headers, mixed separators, or currency symbols. Clean the file and try again.
What date formats work best?
Consistent formats like 2025-12-24 or 24-12-2025. Avoid mixing styles in one file.
My file uses semicolons, not commas. What do I do?
Use the same separator throughout, or re-save with commas.
Should spending be negative or positive?
Keep the sign convention from your export. If needed, follow the template in the CSV guide.
Do I need category or balance columns?
No. They are optional.
How do I choose the right currency?
Pick the currency that matches your statement so totals are accurate.
What if my statement includes multiple currencies?
If possible, split by currency for clarity. Mixed currencies can make estimates less clear.
Does it include yearly subscriptions?
Yes, if enough history is present. They can be converted to a monthly view.
How does the monthly estimate treat annual renewals?
Annual charges are spread over 12 months for awareness; the actual charge still occurs yearly.
Why do merchant names look different?
Processors and region codes can change descriptors. Match timing and amounts to confirm.
Why was something grouped with another merchant?
Similar text or timing can create a group. Review the items before acting.
What counts as a duplicate subscription?
Two charges that look like the same service or plan. Check whether both are needed.
Can duplicates be legitimate (family plans)?
Yes. Shared or household plans can create intentional duplicates.
How does it spot price hikes?
It compares recurring amounts over time. Verify whether it is a promo ending or a new add-on.
Can refunds affect detection?
Yes. Refunds can offset a charge and make patterns harder to see. Review both entries.
What about pending transactions?
Pending items can appear, then post later. Deduplicate if both show.
What is monthly waste vs potential savings?
Monthly waste is an estimate of cancelable spend; potential savings is what you might free up after confirmation.
Does the tool cancel anything automatically?
No. You decide and act with the merchant.
How do I verify a flagged item safely?
Check receipts, timing, and whether you recognize the service. Confirm in your account before changing anything.
Why do I see fewer subscriptions than I expected?
Short history or annual renewals can hide patterns. Add more months and rerun.
What is the difference between exporting CSV, JSON, and PDF?
CSV for spreadsheets, JSON for apps, PDF for a quick snapshot.
What should I remove from my CSV before uploading?
Remove account numbers, addresses, and reference IDs. Keep date, description, amount.
Is my data stored or processed locally?
Calculators run in your browser by default and inputs are not sent to servers. For details, see the Privacy Policy.
Still stuck?
Try a shorter, cleaned date range, remove extra columns, and rerun. If upload issues persist, revisit the CSV format guide and the how-to.
Final call to action
Run a scan, review the flags, and confirm with merchants before making changes.