How to make a bill and subscription calendar
A bill calendar answers a different question from a spending history: what is coming next? List payment dates and renewal dates together so a yearly charge does not disappear between monthly check-ins.
Record the next date, not just the amount
For each bill, record the provider, expected amount, frequency, and next due date. For a free trial, record the trial end date separately and check the provider’s cancellation terms. A renewal date and the last day to cancel may be different.
Look across the accounts you actually use. Include annual software, insurance, memberships, and other infrequent charges alongside monthly bills. Mark variable amounts as estimates.
Show both the annual cost and the next payment
A fictional subscription costing $12 each month totals $144 over 12 months. A $120 annual membership averages $10 a month, but the next payment is still $120. Keep both views so an average never hides an upcoming charge.
Do not assume a renewal will stay at its previous price. Check the provider’s latest notice when reviewing a bill, and update your estimate when the price or frequency changes.
Use reminders as a prompt to review
Loaf’s bill calendar shows upcoming bills and trial endings, with monthly and yearly estimates. Optional reminders can prompt a check before a date arrives. Loaf Plus includes detected bills; review suggestions against the provider’s actual schedule.
Tracking a subscription in Loaf does not cancel it, pay it, or change your agreement with the provider. If you decide to cancel or change a service, complete that action with the provider and verify its confirmation.
Review the calendar alongside recent spending
Check the coming month when you review the previous month. A large annual renewal can explain why one month looks unusually expensive without indicating a new everyday pattern.
Loaf is preparing its iPhone App Store release. The current service is for adults in the United States and tracks US-dollar accounts. See current availability and Plus terms before choosing a setup.