How to easily find all your recurring subscriptions

Author

Kevin Hall

Sep 15th, 2024

·

5min read

In today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to sign up for recurring subscriptions. From streaming services and fitness apps to meal kits and productivity tools, the convenience of automatic billing is hard to resist. However, with this convenience comes a common problem: subscriptions can pile up, leading to unnecessary spending. Forgotten subscriptions can drain your bank account without you even noticing.

But how can you keep track of all your subscriptions in one place? Whether it’s your Netflix account or that old gym membership, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore simple and effective ways to find all your recurring subscriptions, helping you regain control of your finances. Plus, we’ll show you how SubTracked can be your ultimate solution for subscription management.

Why It’s Important to Track Your Subscriptions

Tracking subscriptions is more than just monitoring where your money goes. Here are some key reasons why you should care about managing your recurring payments:

  • Avoid Overpaying: Many people end up paying for services they no longer use, especially if they’ve forgotten about them.
  • Prevent Accidental Renewals: Some subscriptions automatically renew after the trial period, charging you without warning.
  • Control Subscription Fatigue: Subscribing to too many services can lead to overwhelming bills, often leaving you feeling like you’re stuck paying for things you don’t need.
  • Simplify Finances: Knowing exactly what you’re spending each month helps you stick to a budget and make better financial decisions.

Now, let’s dive into how you can easily find all your recurring subscriptions.

1. Check Your Bank and Credit Card Statements

One of the simplest ways to find recurring subscriptions is by reviewing your bank and credit card statements. These statements will provide a record of any automatic payments made to subscription services.

How to Do It:

  • Online Banking: Most banks now offer downloadable transaction histories. Look for any charges that appear monthly or annually.
  • Search for Keywords: Use the search feature in your online banking portal to find terms like “subscription,” “recurring,” or specific company names like “Spotify” or “Amazon.”
  • Credit Card App: Many credit card apps now highlight recurring payments for you, offering a quick summary of ongoing charges.

This method can be time-consuming, especially if you have multiple accounts. Plus, smaller annual subscriptions can easily slip through the cracks.

2. Use Your Email Inbox to Find Subscription Receipts

Another effective method is checking your email for subscription receipts. Whenever you sign up for a service, chances are you’ve received an email confirmation or monthly invoice.

How to Do It:

  • Search Your Inbox: Use search terms like “receipt,” “subscription,” “payment confirmation,” or company names like “Hulu” and “Apple.”
  • Organize Receipts: Create an email folder specifically for subscription receipts, which will help keep track of new and old subscriptions.

The downside? This can still be a tedious process, especially if you don’t consistently organize your inbox. Additionally, you might miss older or less frequent subscriptions buried under piles of emails.

3. Check App Store Subscriptions on Your Phone

For users who subscribe to services through their smartphones, app stores are a good place to review your recurring payments.

How to Check:

  • iOS (Apple Store): Go to Settings → tap your name → Subscriptions. You’ll see all active and expired subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
  • Google Play Store (Android): Open the Play Store app → tap your profile icon → Payments & Subscriptions → Subscriptions.

While this method is handy, it only tracks subscriptions made through the app store, so any web-based services like Netflix or Spotify might not appear here.

4. Use a Subscription Tracking App (Like SubTracked)

If manually digging through bank statements and emails sounds overwhelming, there’s a much easier way: use a subscription tracking app like SubTracked. A dedicated subscription management tool simplifies the process by automatically identifying, categorizing, and displaying all your recurring subscriptions in one place.

Benefits of Using SubTracked:

  • One-Click Overview: See all your subscriptions at a glance, including pricing, renewal dates, and services.
  • Subscription Renewal Calendar: Stay ahead of upcoming charges with a calendar that tracks renewal dates and sends reminders.
  • Spending Insights: Get detailed insights into how much you’re spending monthly or annually on subscriptions.
  • Cancellation Assistance: Easily find instructions for canceling unwanted services.
  • Price Tracking: Receive alerts if the price of a subscription changes, so you never overpay.

By using SubTracked, you eliminate the hassle of manual searches, giving you complete control over your recurring payments. In just a few clicks, you’ll have full visibility into your subscription spending.

5. Review Your PayPal and Other Payment Services

If you use PayPal, Venmo, or other third-party payment services, you may have subscriptions linked to those accounts that aren’t visible in your bank statements. Checking these platforms can reveal additional services you might have missed.

How to Do It:

  • PayPal: Log in to your account, go to Settings → Payments → Manage automatic payments. This will show all recurring charges.
  • Venmo: In the Venmo app, you can view your transaction history and any recurring payments.
  • Other Services: Check any other payment services you use, like Stripe or Square, for recurring payments.

This method is useful for catching hidden subscriptions, but, again, it may miss some services if you use multiple payment methods.

6. Ask Your Smart Home Devices

Some smart home devices, like Alexa or Google Assistant, have started offering subscription tracking features.

How to Use:

  • Ask Alexa or Google: Simply say, “Alexa, what are my subscriptions?” or “Google, do I have any recurring payments?”
  • Sync with Services: Link your account with Amazon or Google to enable subscription tracking via voice.

While this is a convenient method, it’s still a bit limited in terms of the number of services it can track. But for quick checks, it’s certainly handy!

Conclusion

Managing your recurring subscriptions doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using a combination of methods like checking bank statements, email receipts, app stores, and payment platforms, you can regain control over your subscriptions. However, the easiest and most efficient method is using a subscription management tool like SubTracked.

With SubTracked, you can keep track of all your subscriptions in one place, receive notifications before renewals, and even get insights into your spending habits. Don’t let forgotten subscriptions drain your bank account—take charge today.

Ready to simplify your subscription management? Sign up for SubTracked today and start your free trial!