Guide
How to see the real yearly cost of your recurring bills
A price shown per month feels small. Multiply it by twelve and it looks different. Seeing the yearly figure helps you decide what is worth keeping.
Turn every plan into a yearly cost
- Monthly plan: price times 12
- Quarterly plan: price times 4
- Yearly plan: the price as it is
For example, a 9.99 monthly plan costs 119.88 a year. A yearly plan at 99 is cheaper, but only if you will use it for the whole year.
Compare monthly and yearly plans honestly
Yearly plans usually save money but lock you in. If you often stop using a service after a few months, monthly may cost less overall. Ask how likely you are to still use it in month ten.
Group by category
Sort your recurring costs into groups such as entertainment, software, utilities, health and learning. You may find three services doing the same job.
Look at price changes
Providers raise prices from time to time. When you get a notice, take the chance to re-check whether the service is still worth it.
Put renewals in a calendar
Add each renewal date to your calendar a few days ahead, so you can cancel before you are charged again. The subscription planner how-to explains the steps in Daymark.