creating a future reminder date and hiding it until due

I've just bought and loaded Microsoft office 2010 and have no experience of excel at all so I apologise for my lack of understanding of how it all works. I have been reading the forums but have become totally confused,( but have learnt quite a few things along the way) I have had a go and am enjoying learning something new.
The task-- I want to create something that shows the name of a person, their qualifications, the date the qualification is gained and (this is where I am struggling) a reminder of the renewal date. BUT I was hoping that the renewal date could be kept hidden until a month before and then it could flash up as a reminder.
I have discovered how to use 'edate' to do the right calculation but the reminder date is always on view, so it doesn't draw your attention to it. Can anyone advise if this is possible please? If it is I would appreciate the solution in plain language, otherwise I might have to take to my bed with brain fatigue. I hope I have explained the problem OK
Thanks very much