Tool guide
Subscription & Waste-Spending Detector Guide
A clear walkthrough for spotting recurring spend, possible duplicate subscriptions, and price hikes in one scan. See when to upload a CSV versus paste transactions, how to read the results, and how to save them for later.
Published: December 24, 2025 · Updated: December 24, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Quick answer
- Upload a CSV or paste transactions, then hit scan.
- See recurring subscriptions, possible duplicates, and price hikes in plain language.
- Review the findings yourself; nothing is auto-cancelled.
- Export CSV, JSON, or PDF so you can track changes over time.
- Questions? Visit the FAQ.
Disclaimer
Educational purposes only; not financial advice. Examples are illustrative; results depend on your data and are not guaranteed. Confirm cancellations or changes directly with merchants or providers. Do not upload sensitive data you do not need (for example, full account numbers).
What this tool does
- Spots recurring merchants or charges based on your transaction patterns.
- Flags potential duplicate subscriptions so you can decide if both are needed.
- Surfaces possible price increases (price creep) to double-check.
- Estimates monthly and yearly waste as a directional guide, not a promise.
Upload vs paste
| Method | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CSV upload | Full statement analysis | Needs standard columns; use the provided CSV template if your UI offers "Download CSV Format". |
| Paste | Quick check | Smaller datasets work well; handy for a recent month or a short list. |
Key terms
- Recurring subscription: A merchant or service that charges on a schedule (for example, monthly or yearly).
- Duplicate subscription: Two or more active charges for the same or very similar service that may overlap.
- Price hike / price creep: A charge that has increased compared to prior periods.
See definitions: what is subscription waste.
What you will see after analysis
- Summary: Transactions analyzed, subscriptions found, and estimated monthly/yearly waste.
- Detected subscriptions list: Merchant names, amounts, cadences, and any flags to check.
- Smart suggestions or AI insights: If shown, quick notes on patterns to review (illustrative, not certain).
- After cleanup snapshot: A view of what spending could look like if flagged items are cancelled or changed.
- Graph: Current vs cancelable vs projected spending curve for a quick glance.
Need help reading the panels? Visit how to read the results.
Two mini examples (illustrative)
Example A: Forgotten trial and subscription
£7.99/month subscription plus a £2.99 trial that renewed. The tool groups them under the same merchant, shows the cadence, and estimates the monthly waste if you no longer need it.
Try it in the toolExample B: Duplicate or price hike
Same merchant appears twice with different plan names, or a charge moves from $9.99 to $12.99. The detector flags a possible duplicate or a price increase so you can confirm which one is active.
Try it in the toolExports: CSV, JSON, PDF
- CSV: Good for spreadsheets, tagging notes, or sharing with a budgeting sheet.
- JSON: Helpful for developers or simple automation workflows.
- PDF: A tidy snapshot for personal records or a quick share.
Next steps: run a scan monthly, save your exports, and compare to track progress. See more in the FAQ.
Safety and privacy notes
- Verify flagged items before acting; some duplicates are intentional (for example, family or separate accounts).
- Price changes can be temporary, such as a promo ending. Confirm with the merchant.
- Your data is processed to detect recurring patterns; see the Privacy Policy for details.
- Keep only the data you need for the scan; avoid sensitive details like full account numbers.
FAQ preview
What formats are supported?
CSV upload or pasted transactions work for the scan; exports are available in CSV, JSON, and PDF.
Does it detect yearly subscriptions?
Yes, yearly or quarterly cadences can be flagged when enough history is present.
Why is something flagged as duplicate?
Two similar merchant names or overlapping dates may trigger a duplicate flag. Review both and keep what you need.
What if my merchant names look unusual?
Bank descriptors can be shortened. Use the detail view to match them to the service you recognize.
Are results guaranteed?
No. Results are illustrative; confirm with your statements and the merchant before making changes.
Read the full FAQ: Subscription & Waste-Spending Detector FAQ.
Final call to action
Run one scan, then do a 10-minute review to confirm what is truly needed.