Don’t Set It And Forget It: 20 Bills That Should Not Be on Autopay
Autopay sounds like the perfect financial hack: set it and forget it, right? No missed due dates, no stress, just smooth sailing. But here’s the problem: companies love autopay because it keeps you paying without thinking.
A consumer study found that Americans spend an extra $133 a month on subscriptions they don’t even use. But it isn’t just subscriptions that cost you money when you set it and forget it.
That’s money slipping away simply because autopay keeps running in the background.
This list breaks down the bills that should never be on autopay and why letting them run on their own could cost you. Some might surprise you, and others might make you rethink the way you manage your money.
Keep reading to see which bills are draining your money without you even realizing it. Also, let me know if you like this.
Table of Contents
Credit Card Bills
Autopaying your credit card bill sounds smart, no late fees and no stress, but it’s also the fastest way to overpay for things you never meant to buy. Fraudulent charges, accidental double-billing, or even a charge you forgot to dispute can slip through without you noticing.
And if you’re carrying a balance? Autopay might only cover the minimum payment, letting interest rack up month after month. Paying manually forces you to check your statement, catch mistakes, and stay on top of your spending.
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Utility Bills
Electricity, water, gas, these bills fluctuate more than you think. Many people assume their utility costs are consistent, but rates can jump due to seasonal demand, new fees, or billing errors.
You also might not realize how much that leaky faucet or running toilet is costing you, if you never check.
If your bill spikes and autopay blindly deducts the amount, you might not even realize you’re being overcharged. Worse, some providers tack on extra fees or penalties that go unnoticed when you’re not actively checking each bill.
Pay these manually, so you know exactly what you’re being charged for.
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Gym Memberships
Gyms love autopay because it keeps money flowing in, even when you’re not showing up. If you’ve ever tried canceling a gym membership, you know they don’t make it easy.
Some require written notice, others keep charging after you cancel, and many will sneak in annual fees without warning. By paying manually, you keep control over when and how much you pay.
And if you’re not using the gym? You’ll actually notice and cancel before wasting more money.
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Car Insurance
Insurance premiums are notorious for creeping up over time. If you’re on autopay, you might not notice a rate hike until months later, by then, you’ve already overpaid. Insurance companies count on customers not paying attention.
When you pay manually, you’re forced to check your premium, shop around, and negotiate better rates if needed. It also gives you the chance to update your policy if your driving habits change, potentially saving you hundreds.
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Property Taxes
Property tax rates fluctuate based on assessments, and putting them on autopay can lead to unexpected deductions. Overpayments happen more often than you’d think, and if you’re not manually reviewing the bill, you won’t even notice.
Some homeowners can also take advantage of strategic payment timing or discounts, but autopay locks you into whatever the system dictates. Handling this one yourself keeps you in control.
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Medical Bills
Medical billing errors are very common, some estimates say up to 80% of medical bills contain mistakes. If you let autopay handle your medical expenses, you might end up paying for procedures you never had, duplicate charges, or incorrect insurance adjustments.
Manually reviewing your bills gives you a chance to catch errors, negotiate costs, and set up payment plans if needed. Don’t blindly trust the system, medical billing is a mess, and autopay won’t fix it.
Cell Phone Bills
Think your cell phone bill stays the same every month? Think again. Many carriers quietly add extra charges, be it for unused features, “accidental” overages, or mysterious fees buried deep in the statement.
Autopay lets them get away with it because most people don’t check. When you pay manually, you can scan your bill, remove unnecessary add-ons, and even negotiate a better plan.
Plus, some providers offer discounts for manual payments, making autopay an even worse deal.
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Internet Bills
Internet providers love sneaky price hikes. That cheap promotional rate? It’s got an expiration date, and once it’s gone, your bill can jump without warning. Autopay makes it easy to miss these increases until they’ve drained your account for months.
Even worse, providers slip in hidden fees for “service improvements” you didn’t ask for. Handling this bill yourself means catching those hikes, negotiating better rates, and keeping your costs in check.
There’s no reason to pay more for the same internet speed you had last year.
Mortgage Payments
For most people, this is the biggest bill they’ll ever pay, so handing control over to autopay isn’t the smartest move. Mortgage companies make mistakes, applying payments incorrectly, miscalculating escrow, or charging unnecessary fees.
Some banks even pull funds early, which can leave your account in the red. Paying it yourself ensures every dollar goes where it should. Plus, reviewing statements each month gives you a chance to spot any errors before they turn into costly problems.
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Childcare Bills
Daycare costs aren’t set in stone. Rates fluctuate based on attendance, extra activities, and added services. Autopay doesn’t account for those shifts, which means you could be overpaying without realizing it.
Some providers charge penalties for late pickups, meal plans, or additional hours, and once the money is gone, good luck getting it back. Handling payments yourself gives you a clear view of what you’re being charged for, so you’re not blindly throwing money at childcare costs that shouldn’t be there.
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Loan Payments
Lenders make their money on interest, so they won’t remind you that paying extra on your loan reduces the amount they collect. Autopay locks you into the minimum payment, which might not be in your best interest.
Some loans allow early payoff without penalties, but if everything runs on autopilot, you might miss the chance to get ahead. Making payments yourself gives you the flexibility to throw extra money at the principal when you can, cutting down the overall cost of the loan and getting debt off your back faster.
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Charitable Donations
Giving to charity is great, but letting autopay handle donations can lead to trouble. Some organizations increase their contribution amounts over time, and if you’re not watching, you might be giving more than you intended.
Charities also run special fundraising campaigns that could result in additional withdrawals without clear notices. Keeping control of your donations allows you to give on your terms, when you’re financially able, and without any surprise deductions.
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Landscaping or Lawn Care Bills
Lawn care companies love to sneak in extra services, seasonal treatments, pest control, or special fertilizers you never asked for. If autopay is running the show, you might not even notice these add-ons until months later.
Paying for services yourself keeps your costs predictable and ensures you’re only charged for the work you actually want. Plus, if weather changes or you decide to skip a service, you won’t be stuck paying for something that didn’t happen.
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Annual Membership Fees
Annual memberships are easy to forget until they hit your bank account like a surprise punch. Many companies auto-renew without warning, and rates don’t always stay the same. What started as a great deal might have doubled in price without you noticing.
If autopay is handling it, that charge is locked in before you even realize it. Paying manually forces you to ask yourself if you’re actually using the service or just throwing money at a subscription out of habit.
Parking Passes
Parking facilities don’t like to advertise price increases. Autopay makes it easy for them to slip in higher rates without a single alert. Some garages adjust pricing based on demand, meaning what you paid last month might not be what gets pulled this time around.
If you ever stop needing the pass, some places allow refunds, but only if you catch it in time. Manually handling this bill gives you control over charges and keeps you from paying for parking spots you no longer use.
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Online Newsletters
What starts as a free trial or a cheap subscription quickly turns into another sneaky charge eating away at your budget. Many online publications raise their prices after the first few months, banking on autopay keeping customers locked in.
If you’re not watching closely, you might be paying for multiple newsletters you don’t even read anymore. Handling this manually makes sure you’re only spending on content that actually brings value, otherwise, it’s just another monthly drain on your wallet.
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Storage Unit Fees
Storage companies count on customers forgetting about their units. The longer you keep things stored, the more they can raise the rent, and autopay makes it easy for those hikes to slip through unnoticed.
Some facilities tack on extra fees for insurance, access, or late-night entry without clear notification. If you’re still paying for a unit that holds things you don’t even need, that’s money wasted.
Reviewing this bill yourself keeps the costs in check and makes sure you’re not holding onto clutter just because it’s convenient.
Security System Monitoring
Home security isn’t something you want to mess with, but that doesn’t mean autopay is the way to go. Many companies increase monitoring fees over time or add new charges for extra features you never agreed to.
Autopay removes the chance to review these changes before the money is gone. Paying this manually gives you the opportunity to adjust your plan, drop services you don’t need, and ensure you’re not overspending on protection that doesn’t match your actual needs.
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Website Hosting Fees
Hosting services love to lure customers in with cheap introductory rates, only to jack up the price later. Autopay makes it easy to miss these increases, locking you into a higher rate without a second thought.
If you manage a website, you also want to keep an eye on which features you’re actually using. Many hosting plans come with add-ons that get billed separately. Handling this payment yourself keeps you in control, making sure you’re not paying for more than you need.
Digital Storage Subscriptions
Cloud storage might seem like a small cost, but those fees can pile up fast. Autopay lets companies charge you for extra storage, backups, or premium features without asking.
Many users keep upgrading their plans without realizing they could free up space instead. Keeping this bill under manual control ensures you’re paying for what you actually use, not just blindly throwing money at digital hoarding.
Take Control of Your Payments
Letting autopay handle everything might seem convenient, but it can also drain your bank account without you realizing it. Subscription hikes, billing errors, and hidden fees slip through when payments run on autopilot.
Staying involved keeps your budget in check and helps you avoid unnecessary charges. A few extra minutes reviewing bills can save you hundreds, even thousands, over time.
Smart money management starts with knowing exactly where your cash is going.
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