Can you stop automatic payments
I don’t want payments taken automatically. I want to be notified before an attempt to take money out of my account occurs.
I note you specifically ask about automatic payments, not about having to have a payment method on your account and free apps.
From this support article --> How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support
"Which payment method is charged?
When you buy items or pay for subscriptions, Apple automatically attempts to charge your payment methods in this order:
1. Apple attempts to use your Apple ID balance to cover the full amount.
2. If you don't have Apple ID balance, you don't have enough to cover the full amount, or an item cannot be paid for with Apple ID balance, Apple attempts to charge your primary payment method (typically a credit or debit card, but varies according to country). The primary payment method is at the top of the list in Settings on your iPhone. You can control which payment method is at the top of the list. [See: Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support ]
3. If there's a problem with the primary payment method, or if the primary payment method can't be charged for the full remaining amount, Apple attempts to charge your other payment methods in order from top to bottom. If none of them can be charged, Apple may try again." See also sections B and H of Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple
In other words, if you have a subscription or make a purchase, Apple will automatically bill the payment method you have entered. You cannot buy or subscribe to something and then decide when to pay for it. You need to make the purchase when you are also prepared to pay for it immediately.
