Three different products marketed as one
| Product | You need it if… | You don’t if… |
|---|---|---|
| VPN tunnel | Travel on hostile Wi‑Fi, geo work requirement | You only browse at home on fiber |
| Password manager | Reused passwords anywhere | Platform passkeys cover 100% of logins |
| Identity / credit monitoring | Recent breach or refinance fraud watch | You already have bank alerts + free annual reports |
Bundled “VPN + antivirus + dark web” plans renew at $100–180/yr — audit each feature line, not the logo.
VPN-specific audit questions
- Last connected? No session in 60 days → cancel or downgrade to monthly before next annual hit.
- Device count — paying for 10 devices when you use 2?
- Duplicate VPN — corporate ZTNA plus consumer Nord is common on work laptops.
Privacy subs vs streaming stack
Streaming and VPN often share the same card export line (“DIGITAL SERVICES”). Tag VPN rows separately in your spreadsheet so annualize sorts don’t mix $12/mo entertainment with $89/yr security.
Cancel and refund norms
Most VPNs offer 30-day money-back on annual plans — use cancel playbook paths (account portal → confirm email → screenshot confirmation number).
Password managers may export vaults before lapse — do that before cancel, not after.
Affiliate note
We may link hardware (Fire TV, routers) on Amazon with standard product commissions. VPN affiliate CPA is separate — we still document renewal price after intro on every recommendation.
Next: Family subscription sharing · Subscription audit checklist
