Practical

What to capture, and in what order

Fifteen minutes once, and the list is built. The order below is simply the one that finds the most with the least scrolling.

Start with the bank

The recurring payments view catches everything billed directly by card, which is the category people remember least well.

Then the store you use most

App Store or Google Play subscriptions — this is where the oldest ones hide, including those started on a previous device.

Then PayPal

Automatic payments. Short list, high hit rate.

Finally, anything you suspect

If a service comes to mind that did not appear anywhere, find its receipt in your e-mail and capture that.

Each upload adds to the same list. Where two entries clearly describe one service, you delete the line that no longer applies — and that deletion is the moment the duplicate stops being paid for, once you have cancelled it with the provider.