Managing and canceling subscriptions

How can I best keep track of my subscriptions? “It requires a mental reset,” said cost-cutting guru Clark Howard. He recommends that once every three months — say, when the seasons change — you look through your checking and credit card statements and review recurring charges to “see all the things we didn’t remember we have.” If there’s something you no longer use, cancel it. He concedes that isn’t always easy, particularly with some cable companies and many gym memberships. You may have to call the cable company, he said, where you might be transferred to a “retention” specialist who may offer some sort of temporary discount to keep you. With gyms, you might have to visit a location.

Should I use a subscription tracking app? There are now many apps that will scour your bank account or credit card statements for recurring payments and may even offer to cancel subscriptions for you. But the apps require you to share your account information and, in some cases, may charge a fee. In their letter to the FTC, the attorneys general took a dim view of such apps. “We believe that consumers should not have to sign up for yet another service” to manage their subscriptions, they wrote.

What else can I do to avoid unwanted subscription costs? The FTC advises that consumers watch for prechecked boxes when making a purchase online. Those boxes might sign you up for a product or service you don’t want, unless you uncheck them. If you cancel a subscription but are still being charged, the commission recommends disputing it with your credit card company. You can also file complaints on the FTC’S website.