2026-02-03 · 5 min read
How to track subscriptions before they renew
Subscriptions are designed to renew quietly. Here's a repeatable system for catching renewals early and cancelling the ones you don't use.
The average household carries a dozen or more recurring services, and the ones that hurt are rarely the ones you remember paying for. Annual renewals are the worst offenders: twelve months is long enough to forget you ever signed up.
Find them all first
Search your email for the words 'receipt', 'renewal', 'invoice' and 'your subscription'. Then check the three subscription hubs that hide charges from your bank statement: the Apple App Store, Google Play, and PayPal.
Record the renewal date, not the charge date
For anything with a notice period — gyms, insurance, telecoms — the date you must act is earlier than the date you get charged. Track both. DUE stores a renewal date and works the notice deadline back from it, then reminds you before that deadline, not after.
Decide with a two-question test
Would I sign up for this today at this price? Have I used it in the last 30 days? Two nos means cancel now, while you still have time before the renewal.
Common questions
- How do I find subscriptions I have forgotten about?
- Search your email for 'receipt', 'renewal', 'invoice' and 'your subscription', then check the three hubs that hide charges from your bank statement: the Apple App Store, Google Play and PayPal.
- Should I track the renewal date or the charge date?
- Track both. For anything with a notice period — gyms, insurance, telecoms — the date you must act is earlier than the date you are charged.
- How do I decide whether to cancel a subscription?
- Use a two-question test: would I sign up for this today at this price, and have I used it in the last 30 days? Two nos means cancel before the renewal.
Know what's coming. Keep what's yours.
DUE tracks every bill and renewal, then tells you what's safe to spend today.
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