# Introduction - Recurring Expenses

A recurring expense records regular, already-paid spending without anyone typing it every month.

**Video coming soon:** Turning a subscription into a profile that books itself every month.

Software subscriptions, rent paid by standing order and card-billed services all fit. Like every recurring profile in SorviAI Finance, the profile itself posts nothing; only the expenses it generates do.

![The Recurring Expenses screen listing four profiles with columns for Profile Name, Amount, Expense Account, Frequency, Status, Next Expense Date, Vendor and Generated. The first row, Fleet insurance, runs Every Month against Professional Fees, is Active, next falls due on 06/05/2026 and has generated one expense so far.](https://www.sorviai.com/help/recurring-expenses/recurring-expense-list.png)

*Generated counts what the profile has already posted. The profile itself posts nothing.*

## Recurring expense or recurring bill

Same question as the one-off case, same answer. Has the money already gone, or do you still owe it?

**Recurring Expense** (Already paid each cycle)

- Yes: One step, no payment to record afterwards
- Yes: Right for card and direct debit spend
- No: Never appears as money owed
- No: Wrong if the supplier invoices you on terms

**Recurring Bill** (You will pay it later)

- Yes: Creates a payable you then settle
- Yes: Appears in payables ageing
- Yes: Right for invoiced arrangements like rent on terms
- No: Needs a payment recorded each cycle

## Only for fixed amounts

> **Warning:**
>
> **A recurring expense generates the same figure every cycle**
>
> For a cost that varies, such as metered electricity or usage-based software, use a recurring bill you review before approving, or enter it by hand. A profile that quietly bills last year's amount is worse than no profile.