Free checklist
AI Stack Savings Checklist
Use this checklist after the AI Subscription Cost Calculator to decide which tools to keep, downgrade, cancel, or replace. The goal is simple: keep the AI tools that create real value and stop paying for overlap.
1. List every paid AI tool
Write down every subscription in your stack: ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, Midjourney, Perplexity, Gemini, Notion AI, coding assistants, image tools, meeting tools, automation tools, and any team seats.
- Tool name
- Monthly cost
- Annual cost
- Number of seats
- Main reason you bought it
- How often you used it in the last 30 days
2. Score each subscription
Give every tool a score from 0 to 2 for each question below. A tool with 7 or more points is probably worth keeping. A tool with 4 to 6 points needs review. A tool below 4 points is a cancellation candidate.
| Question | 0 points | 1 point | 2 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly use | Rarely used | Used sometimes | Used every week |
| Time saved | No clear saving | Saves some time | Saves hours |
| Revenue/work impact | No impact | Helpful | Directly supports work or income |
| Overlap | Fully duplicated | Some overlap | Unique value |
| Replacement risk | Easy to replace | Replaceable with effort | Hard to replace |
3. Find overlap fast
Most wasted AI spend comes from buying tools that do similar jobs. Look for overlap between general chat tools, writing tools, coding tools, research tools, and image tools.
- If two tools solve the same weekly job, keep the one you actually open first.
- If a tool is only useful once a month, check whether a cheaper pay-as-you-go option exists.
- If a team seat is unused, downgrade the seat before cancelling the whole account.
4. Use the keep, downgrade, cancel rule
| Decision | Use this when | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Keep | The tool saves time weekly or supports paid work. | Keep it and track usage monthly. |
| Downgrade | The tool is useful but overpowered for your actual use. | Move to a cheaper plan or fewer seats. |
| Cancel | The tool overlaps with another subscription or is rarely used. | Cancel after exporting anything important. |
5. Run a 30-day AI spend reset
- Week 1: list all tools and calculate annual cost.
- Week 2: track which tools you actually use.
- Week 3: downgrade or cancel the lowest scoring tools.
- Week 4: re-run the calculator and compare the new annual cost.
When you are done, go back to the AI Subscription Cost Calculator and share your new AI stack score.