Audit + Cancel Recurring Subscriptions

Codified from Gmail draft 19dc1125a3567e98 · Apr 24 2026

Honest answer first

90-min sweep, probably saves $100–300/mo.
The hard part is FINDING all the charges, not canceling.
Do this once a year minimum. Set May 1 reminder for next sweep.

Step 1 — Pull statements (15 min)

Last 90 days, CSV export from each:
- Citi 2550
- Chase Ink 4089
- Chase Freedom 8412
- Chase 0405 personal
- HSC business debit 9405
- HSC Chase 1260
- Any other active card

Save to folder: /audits/2026-04_subscription-sweep/

Step 2 — Identify recurring (20 min)

Method A — Apps Script (faster, reusable)
- Check hookstreet-bos-sheets repo for existing detector
- If exists: run it on the new CSVs
- If not: simple logic = same merchant, ±$2, monthly cadence = recurring

Method B — Manual (slower, one-time)
- Combine all CSVs into one sheet
- Sort by merchant
- Eyeball for repeat charges
- Flag in column "Recurring Y/N"

Step 3 — Categorize each (20 min)

For each recurring charge, label:

KEEP — essential, using it
- Cell phone (primary)
- Internet (primary)
- Anthropic API
- Cursor
- Google Workspace
- Necessary insurance

DOWNGRADE — paying for tier you don't use
- Streaming services on premium when basic works
- Software on team plan when solo plan fits

CANCEL — don't remember signing up / haven't used in 60+ days
- Old SaaS trials that auto-renewed
- Subscriptions from prior projects
- Newsletter "premium" tiers

CONSOLIDATE — paying twice for same thing
- Tello + Verizon (CONTEXT.md flagged this)
- Two cloud storage services
- Multiple VPN subscriptions

Known suspects from CONTEXT.md:
- Tello phone — verify still active/needed
- Tovido — what is this even?
- Internet subs — audit if multiple
- Prudential Life Insurance — confirm status (also in OBLIGATIONS)

Step 4 — Execute cancellations (30 min)

Order of operations per cancellation:

1. Direct via merchant first
   - Login → account → subscription → cancel
   - Screenshot the confirmation page

2. If merchant makes it hard (dark patterns):
   - Email customer service with "cancellation request" in subject
   - Wait 48 hours
   - If still charged: dispute via card issuer

3. For annual subscriptions:
   - Note renewal date
   - Calendar reminder 7 days before next renewal
   - Reassess then

4. Card issuer dispute (last resort):
   - Citi: 1-800-950-5114 → dispute → "subscription I cancelled"
   - Chase: app → dispute charge

Step 5 — Build subscription tracker (15 min)

New tab in BOS: Subscriptions. Columns:

• Merchant
• Monthly $ (or annual / 12)
• Card
• Renewal Date
• Category (Essential / Productivity / Personal)
• Last Used
• Value Rating (1–5)

Every kept subscription goes here. Quarterly review: anything <3 rating gets cancelled.

Step 6 — Prevent future leak (10 min)

1. Set rule: never sign up for free trial without calendar reminder for cancellation
2. Use one card for all subscriptions (easier to audit)
3. Quarterly review on calendar (Aug 1, Nov 1, Feb 1, May 1)

Done state

Every recurring charge is intentional and tracked. Saved $X/month. Subscription tracker live in BOS. Quarterly review on calendar. No more surprise renewals.