Subscription Review

 

Tutorial - Written Guide

Welcome to the Subscription Review Tab tutorial! This guide is designed for users who prefer reading over watching videos, and it will walk you through the key features of the Subscription Review tab in your budget template.

Overview of the Layout

The Subscription Review tab provides a detailed look at your spending on subscriptions. Here’s a breakdown of the main components:

Period Selectors (Top Left and Right):
You can choose the time periods you want to compare. These can be set to specific months or entire years, depending on your needs. For instance, if you select a full year, you’ll be able to see a year-long comparison.

Summary Card:
Below the period selectors, you’ll find the summary card, which shows:

  • The total amount spent on subscriptions during the selected period.
  • The number of subscriptions active in that period.

Transaction Breakdown:
This section lists individual subscriptions and their amounts. You can sort this data by several criteria:

  • Alphabetical: Useful for a quick overview of your subscriptions by name.
  • Amount: Ideal when you want to focus on which subscriptions cost the most or least.
  • Date: Helpful for tracking when subscriptions were charged.

You can also toggle between ascending and descending order to suit your preference.

Main Chart:
The chart displays two lines:

  • The Pink Line: This is your spend line, showing your actual subscription expenses over time.
  • The Gray Dashed Line: This represents the average subscription spend.

You’ll also see two dots:

  • The Right Dot: Always represents Period 2, which is the latest period you’re comparing (e.g., December 2023).
  • The Left Dot: Represents Period 1, which goes back 12 months from the current period selected. You can change the comparison period, and the dots will adjust accordingly.

How to Use the Subscription Review Feature

One of the best ways to stay on top of your finances is by reviewing your subscriptions regularly. Here’s why and how this feature can help you:

Preventing Subscription Overload:
It’s easy to forget about services you no longer use, especially when companies auto-renew subscriptions. By reviewing this tab monthly, you can catch subscriptions you no longer need, like streaming services or another service you might have forgotten about. Canceling unused services can save you a significant amount over time.

Customizing What Counts as a Subscription:
The definition of a subscription is flexible. Some people may only want to track luxury services like Netflix or Disney+, while others might include any recurring payment, such as donations or regular software fees. You get to decide what to label as a subscription.

Entering Subscription Transactions

To ensure your subscriptions are tracked accurately in the Subscription Review tab, follow these simple steps:

  • Go to the Transactions Tab.
  • When entering a transaction that qualifies as a subscription, select Yes in the Subscription Column drop-down.
  • Example: If you have a recurring fee to CAA, select Yes, and it will show up in the Subscription Review tab.

If a transaction is not a subscription, you can leave the column blank—you don’t need to select "No."

Conclusion

By regularly reviewing your subscriptions using this feature, you can take control of recurring expenses and make sure your money is being spent on services you actually use. If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out the rest of the tutorials for more tips on getting the most out of your budget template!

 

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