Top 5 Ways To Track Your Subscriptions

Tracking your subscriptions doesn’t have to be hard. Yet, many of us end up with too many monthly fees or we always forget about that streaming service that we signed up for months ago. Here are some easy ways to stay on top of all your recurring expenses—and save some cash.

1. Simple Spreadsheets

If you’re an Excel or Google Sheets buff, try making a basic table of your subscriptions. Write down the service name, cost, and renewal date. Spreadsheets help you see everything at a glance. Just remember to keep them updated and check them often. If you overlook an entry or forget to change a renewal date, you might get slapped with an unexpected charge. If you’re not tech savvy, you can use our ready-made spreadsheet to keep track of your subscriptions.

2. Online Calendars

Another quick fix is to stick due dates into an online calendar like Notion Calendar or Google Calendar. Apps like Google Calendar can send reminders straight to your phone. You’ll know when your gym membership’s renewal hits or if that magazine subscription’s about to auto-renew for another year. It’s a little manual at first, but once you’ve got it set up, you’re golden.

3. Bank and Card Statements

Some people simply comb through their bank or credit card statements every month. If you’re disciplined enough to do this regularly, you can spot any odd charges. But be warned: This method is only as good as you are at catching details. If you miss something once, you might keep missing it in future statements.

4. Budgeting Apps

Budgeting apps can help you track spending beyond subscriptions. Many of these apps automatically group your expenses, so you can see everything in one place. But not all budgeting apps highlight upcoming subscription renewals. They typically focus on past spending more than future hits.

5. Subscription Tracking Tools

If you’re looking for something built just for subscriptions, consider TrackSub. Our platform gathers all your recurring expenses, sends you alerts before payments come through, and even forecasts your future spending. You can keep tabs on everything through Slack or email. Instead of juggling multiple apps, spreadsheets, or random notes, TrackSub gives you a single view of all your services. That makes it simple to see what’s costing you the most, what’s about to renew, and whether you should cancel or downgrade certain plans.

Annual Review

No matter which method you use, do an annual (or even quarterly) review. Subscriptions can pile up without you noticing. Maybe you’ve outgrown some of them, or maybe there’s a cheaper plan for your needs. Make it a routine check-up.

The Bottom Line

Subscriptions are everywhere these days. Gym memberships, design tools, email marketing platforms, or that TV channel you only watch once in a blue moon—it all adds up. But staying on top of them doesn’t need to be stressful. Grab a spreadsheet, add them to your calendar, or try a subscription tracking app like TrackSub. Pick a method that’s right for you, and do a quick check every so often to make sure you’re only paying for what you actually use.