AI tool spending discipline — monthly audit kills zombie SaaS
< 5 uses/month → cancel
💡 Genius Solution
First Sunday monthly audit AI tools; < 5 uses/month or > $50 no ROI → cancel.
🎯 Why it matters
Solo company burns $300-3,000/month on AI / SaaS. Without audit, 30-50% is zombie (subscribed but unused) = direct money burn. Audit discipline = direct savings + forces ROI evaluation per tool.
📊 ROI highlights
- Zombie ratio typically 30-50%
- Monthly $300-3,000 × 30-50% = $90-1,500 direct saving
- Discipline → evaluate true ROI per tool
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Not checking credit card statement → miss small amounts
- "Audit next month" → never arrives
- Adding new SaaS without canceling old → overlap
- Annual plan auto-renews unchecked
✅ Action checklist
- First Sunday monthly: calendar "SaaS audit"
- 4 cancel criteria: < 5 uses / > $50 no ROI / overlap / 1 year no update
- Annually: total SaaS spend + compare to last year
- New SaaS: 30-day trial — keep only if proven
🎬 The takeaway
Solo discipline = monthly audit. Zombie SaaS is your unforced error.
🔗 Related insights
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