The "Small Monthly Fee" Illusion
When Netflix raises prices $1.50/month, users shrug. That's $18/year, $54 over 3 years. Multiply across 8 subscriptions and you're hemorrhaging money on price creep alone.
| Service | Monthly | 1 Year | 3 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Premium | $22.99 | $275.88 | $827.64 |
| Adobe Creative Cloud | $54.99 | $659.88 | $1,979.64 |
| Spotify Duo | $16.99 | $203.88 | $611.64 |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20.00 | $240.00 | $720.00 |
| Total | $114.97 | $1,379.64 | $4,138.92 |
💡 Opportunity Cost
At 7% annual return, $115/month invested instead of subscribed becomes approximately $4,800 in 3 years. The simulator makes this trade-off visible.
How to Use the Simulator
- Add each subscription: name, monthly price, currency
- Watch 1yr / 2yr / 3yr totals update instantly
- The Chart.js curve makes the compounding effect visual
- Remove services you're willing to cancel and watch the savings materialize
High-Impact Cancellation Targets
- Unused software: Haven't opened it in 30 days? Cancel. Adobe at $54.99/mo is $659/year gathering dust.
- Redundant services: Spotify AND Apple Music? Disney+ AND Hulu? Pick one per category.
- Default upgrades: Check for price jumps from promotional pricing expiring.
- Annual vs monthly: Annual plans save 15-20% if you use the service daily.
Does the simulator account for price increases?
No — it uses your current price as a fixed rate. Real-world costs will be higher due to annual increases averaging 5-15%.
Is my subscription list saved?
Yes, in localStorage. It persists across sessions. No server storage occurs — only your device.
What currency does it use?
Whatever you enter. Add ¥, €, or £ and the same math applies to your local currency values.
Model Your 3-Year Cost Now
Add your subscriptions and watch the true long-term cost reveal itself.
Open Subscription Simulator →