10 Expenses That Should Not Be On Autopay

Setting up autopay can make bill management seem hassle-free, but it might not always be the best move. Some expenses are better handled manually to keep you in control and aware of where your money is going. Here are ten expenses you might want to think twice about putting on autopay.

Utility Bills

Think about it like this: your water, gas, and electric bills change all the time. If you just set them to autopay and forget about them, you might miss out on spotting something off, like a sudden jump in your electric bill. It is better to check these each month so you can catch anything weird early on.

Gym Memberships

We have all signed up for a gym, thinking, “Yeah, I’m definitely going this time!” But how often do we end up going after a few months? If your membership fee is just pulled from your account every month, you might not even think about it. It is smarter to turn off the autopay so you actually consider when you are not going anymore.

Subscription Services

Subscriptions are tricky. One minute, you sign up for a free trial, and the next thing you know, you have six different streaming services. If you do not have autopay on, you get a reminder every time a payment is due. That is your cue to think, “Do I really watch anything on this service anymore?”

Credit Card Payments

Setting your credit card to autopay the minimum is easy, sure, but it can also lead you to ignore a growing balance or miss chances to pay more when you can. Instead, set up a reminder for the due date, then decide how much you can pay off that month. It keeps you aware of your spending and how you handle your debt.

Medical Bills

Medical bills can be a huge headache, and they are often pretty hefty. If you autopay these, you might not notice charges that should not be there or things your insurance was supposed to cover but did not. Always look these over. You want to make sure you are only paying what you owe.

Insurance Premiums

You know how insurance goes; whether it is for your car, home, or health, the rates can change based on new policies or changes in your life. If you just set these on autopay, you might miss out on noticing if your premium goes up or if there are better deals out there. It is worth it to review your policy details before renewal.

Property Taxes

Now, property taxes are not something you pay monthly, but they are still a big one. If these are on autopay, it is easy to just let them slide without reviewing the details. However, rates can change, and sometimes there are even errors in billing. Check these bills each time to ensure everything looks correct, and you are not overpaying.

Loan Payments

Whether it is a car loan or a student loan, setting these on autopay might make you overlook opportunities to pay them off quickly. For instance, if you get some extra money, you might want to throw that toward your loan to cut down on interest. Manual payments can help you be conscious of the balance.

Mortgage Payments

Similar to other large loans, while it is tempting to just ‘set and forget’ your mortgage on autopay, doing so can make you less attentive to changes in interest rates or terms. Sometimes, refinancing can save you a ton, but you will only really start to consider it if you are actively thinking about that payment every month.

Large Recurring Donations

Donations are great, but when it comes to big recurring ones, it is good to reassess them regularly. Your financial situation might change, or you might want to shift to different causes depending on what is happening in the world. If you just leave these on autopay, you might end up donating more than you can afford.