Hello, Reader, and welcome back to part 2 in the series.

In the first part last week, we went over how to look at old credit card statements to find your purchases. If you didn't read the email or can't find it, check it out on my blog: How to Find Old Digital Purchases​

Although I have some old "purchases" that I got as freebies or as part of a bundle, I'm choosing to prioritize things I paid money for.

This week's tips will also help you find those old purchases that you might not have paid money for.

Step 2: Find How to Log In By Searching Your Email

The next step is to take your purchases above and figure out (1) exactly what you bought and (2) how to log in.

Recommendation: Pick one person and purchase. 1. ONE. Just one. Breathe.

Open your email. (If you have more than one possible email you used to sign up for the course, you may have to repeat this process.)

First: Find What You Bought

For my tracking sheet, I want to know the title of what I bought. I can see the price on my statement but that always doesn’t tell me the name of the product I purchased.

A good way to start is to search for that person’s name plus the word invoice or receipt. However, sometimes it helps to also narrow down by date.

For example, I see I purchased something from Sage Grayson on September 6th. But credit cards are sometimes delayed a day or two, so I’ll want to search a day or two on either side of that date. Here are some searches I can do in my email:

• Sage Grayson Invoice
• Sage Grayson Receipt
• Sage Grayson after:2024/9/4 before:2024/9/8

If you don’t see anything, perhaps use less keywords (just Sage or just Grayson, not both words) or check another email.

Also, if all else fails, find that person online and email them. Explain you made a purchase (for [amount] on [date]) and ask if they can help you find what it is you bought. We’re all people here, and chances are we’re friendly and willing to help a person out. (And hopefully they reply.)

Second: Find How to Log In

Depending on what platform the person you bought from is using to host their products, the login info might be in the invoice or receipt. Sometimes, though, you may have to go searching. Almost always, the login info is sent within a day or two of purchase.

Here are some searches to try, based on my example above:

• Sage Grayson “Welcome to” (make sure to use the quotation marks so that the exact phrase is found)
• Sage Grayson Login
• Sage Grayson Password

Some other search terms I like to use to find logins in general: (make sure to use the quotes)

• “Access details”
• “You’ve been granted access to”
• “Login with your email”
• “Purchase confirmation”

People also include login links in general email footers and on their website. Try going to the person’s website. Look for a link to access courses or purchases. Most sign-in portals have a link to use if you forgot your password.

Bonus: Search a Person by their Email Address.

Especially for freebies, another tactic I find successful is to find a person I’ve subscribed to and go all the way back to their first email. Usually the first email I ever receive from a person is the lead magnet they sent me for signing up on their list in the first place.

In Gmail on a desktop or laptop, hover over the person’s name, then hover over their email address. You’ll get a button to copy the email.

In Gmail on your phone, open the email. Long press on the three dots to the right of their email to open the ability to copy their email address. (One tap opens the traditional menu. You have to press and hold for a few seconds to get the extra menu.) (This is also a nice, easy way to unsubscribe.)

Now you can use that email to paste into the search bar to find all the emails from that person. Keep scrolling until you get to that very first email.

Step 2 Summary

📧 This Week’s Email Search Strategy:

• Start small: Pick one purchase and search for its invoice, receipt, or welcome email in your email inbox.
• Use search terms like "Invoice," "Receipt," "Welcome to," or "Login." If needed, narrow your search by date.
• If you can't find the purchase info, contact the seller with details like the transaction amount and date. Most creators are happy to help!
• For freebies or old purchases, search by the seller’s email address to locate their initial email or access instructions.

⏭️ Coming Next Week: Part 3 will cover how to organize all this information you’re finding. I’ll share my favorite tools for tracking everything in one place!

🎯 Your Quick Action Step: Pick ONE digital product you purchased and spend 10 minutes searching for its access details using today’s tips. That’s it - just one!

Allie, Technically Eclectic Digital organizer, technical writer, and mom of three boys

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P.S. Still working on the $9 workshop where I’ll walk you through this entire process live! Have suggestions for what would make it most valuable for you? Hit reply - I’d love to hear your thoughts!