Getting Back to Basics

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Getting Back to Basics
6
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 10:12am

I spent some time this weekend filing cc statements and other household bill statements.

All my best,
Danni

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 11:39am

I completely understand...I'm in a stressed out of control funk right now myself.


It's to the point where I have so many things to organize and such that I just don't even know where to start, so I don't.


You know it's kind of funny, as I had *heard* about people who wouldn't even to bother opening their statements and things when things were really bad and I had a hard time understanding that but I can so see it now.


I still open the statements and things, *sigh*, put them aside and figure I'll deal with them later.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 11:54am
I need to organize my bills ect...actually brought in a 6 drawer desk to use. Well, the desk is still empty and the paperwork is everywhere. I have gone from a clean house, organized papers to...guess I'm burn't out. I know I will feel so much better when I get things together. I have just "freezed up"!!! donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2004
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 1:09pm

I pay bills 2 times a month.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-06-2003
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 4:43pm
Working consistently to keep my MS Money updated helps me to stay in control and on top of my expenditures. I actually enjoy balancing my accounts :)

When I am feeling frazzled, I sit with a cup of Earl Grey tea, light some yummy scented Party-Lite candles, put on my favourite Jesse Cook cd and start in on what needs to be dealt with.

I pay my bills twice/month and it's scheduled in Money to remind me when to pay it.

Kassandra

Kassandra

"It is said that life has its peaks and valleys.  The challenge is to accept them equally and experience them

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 11:56am
I have all of my out-going bills in an Excel spreadsheet. I have different bills due throughout the month, so each bill has the paydate next to it. I pay the bills when due, as I am paid weekly and it makes my accounting easier. When I pay a bill I highlight on the sheet in red. I also have the balances due, so that when I go to create a new sheet for the month, I adjust the total balance due, so I can see the amount going down. I also list what the original balance was, so I can really see I am paying them off, especially my medical bills. I have every month on a new sheet, so I keep a record of the previous months. Using a spreadsheet means I see the total debt I owe, and it keeps me in check to pay my bills. I can also calculate what my income is, what is due for regular bills and how much do I have left to live on. My only difficulty is that I don't know what my commission will be on top of my base, and that's the moeny I live on. My base covers all the bills that I have due in the month. So, it's really important I make commission.

I also update my chequebook almost everyday. I tend to use my chequecard, as I will spend cash quicker and it allows me to keep a record of how I am spending my money and what it is being spent on. I'm usually surprised to see how few of purchases I make in the week, but how quickly my money is gone. I was lucky I saw my parents sit down every Saturday and balance their chequebooks, so this good habit was carried over to me. I also check my account on-line everyday to see what has cleared from my account. I have caught mistakes made by my financial institution and have been able to quickly remedy these, because I am so persistent with checking. I also carefully file all of my papers, and keep all of my receipts.

I have always been very careful with money, and that's why I know that no matter how good I have been with my finances and keeping a track on my spending hasn't prevented me going into debt.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 12:23pm
I also update daily my excel spreadsheet. I like to know how much I have in the bank and what our debt is. I also keep up a monthly budget for the next 6 months, and plug in the exact bill amounts when I get them.

Unfortunately I have not been feeling well for the past 2 weeks so I have kind of neglected it, and also have not been able to cook or do much in the house. So that meant we spent more money that we normally do, because my DH and I have to go eat out for lunch instead of eating food from home. Amazing how much that adds up.

So hopefully today I can get back on track and get the spreadsheet up to date. I feel so much more relaxed when I know where we are going and how to get there!