Paying the bills

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Paying the bills
2
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 11:07am

Corollary to the "when do you get paid?" question: "When do you pay bills?"

Here's mine:

Just paid our first-of-the-month bills. We pay twice a month, because we get paid twice a month. I have a spreadsheet with our monthly expenses, as well as an amortized amount for irregular expenses--this reminds me to set aside, for instance, $6 each pay period for our homeowner's dues that we pay only once a year, as well as regular amounts to cover things like car repairs, etc. Every penny is accounted for before it even comes into our account.

This month, I also had to pay a few minor things for which the money had to be transferred out of savings accounts that were set aside for that purpose.

I also had to "find" an additional $150 out of essentially thin air. This was rough, because we had replaced our air conditioner ($3600) last month, which drained most of our savings (but without touching our $1000 contingency fund, which I don't want to touch). Then we spent too much on vacation.

But I *did* find the $150, and I'm glad. It's for the lady who took in the rescue cat I'm getting on the first. She hasn't asked for any money, but I want to reimburse her for her expenses in rescuing this awesome cat that I get to have soon. He's just had all his shots, a cat well-visit, and comes with nearly all the necessary equipment, plus she's meeting me halfway (a four hour drive for us both, each way--meaning an eight-hour day for each of us in the car). I feel it is the least I can do, and I want to start my relationship with the cat off on a generous, not stingy note.

So I scrounged around, and between my personal spending allowance, some miscellaneous savings here and there, and part of a check from one of my freelance jobs, I came up with the money for her. Woo-hoo!

So, my bills are paid. Are yours?

:)

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 11:45am

DH gets paid once/month, and we run the household off of that paycheck.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 08-30-2005 - 4:56pm

I pay mine on or around the first of the month. I've automated several of them (mortgage, satellite, phones) and write checks for various medical bills and the car payment. I pay the CC's either by phone or by internet payment. I pay the utility bill and second mortgage at the bank drive-thru when I do my errands because the kids like the suckers and that's the debt I'm snowflaking so it gives me some weird rush to pay it in person. DH transferred the 2nd mortgage to a low interest CC today so no more bank trips for me LOL

Taleyna