How do you stay focused to pay bills?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2008
How do you stay focused to pay bills?
13
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 10:45pm

Hi, I introduced myself yesterday and have already started going through at least one month's worth of unopened envelopes. I have a real head in the sand (or somewhere else) mentality. I also tend to put things off.

Do you have suggestions for how to just grit your teeth and do it? Do you post reminders? I wonder if posting the monthly bills in plain view for all to see (not that tons of people would see...) would force me to be more responsible. We are short a bit each month, so I'm trying to find ways to cut back.

Thoughts or ideas?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2007
Tue, 10-28-2008 - 11:49pm

Hi


I have the same problem as you. I am a bit paperwork phobic and given any excuse I will put off doing our taxes, paying bills, letting the bills pile in unopened envelopes etc. The only way I can avoid being like that is to do what I am doing at present which is to open

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 4:45am

Here are a few things I do Some might work for you. I use Quicken. In front of my computer screen I have a small basket. Each time we go out and come home all the receipts go in the basket.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 5:51am

that calander program is spelled Cozi not Coti Its free


Mary Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2007
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 7:24am

The other posters have made

Avatar for meandmypea
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 8:43am

I kind of do a combo of what other posters have mentioned. When I bring the mail in, junk mail goes straight to the shredder. The bills are opened as I bring them in and I go straight to my bank's website to schedule them for online banking. Then, the next time I go into Quicken and download my account activity, the scheduled bill pays are downloaded as well, so I have no excuse to not know when something is being paid. This also allows me to fiddle with dates if I find that too much is scheduled to go through on a week where cash flow will be tight.

Doing it one bill at a time is much less overwhelming and more manageable than letting the bills pile up for the month. And once you get into the habit of doing it, it gets easier.

Bridget



Bridget
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2006
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 9:03am

Hi there,

I go to the 'check-ins & accountability' section of this site every week. I post what I am trying to pay off.

I get jazzed to pay off debts by reading and writing posts.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 10:00am

Do the bills on the last friday of the month every month.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 10:04am

I do basically what Robyn does.


I open the mail at the kitchen counter. Toss the junk and carry the bills upstairs to my bill folder on my way up to change out of work clothes. BEFORE I put the bills in the folder I put return labels on the address portion to save me time on bill day.


I pay bills 2x a month. On payday Friday. That night we get paid - I sit down and pay bills. I leave a certain amount in the checking account - what I think we might use for 2 weeks until the next payday - and pay bills with the rest. I pay the bills due the soonest. And leave the ones due if I am "out" of money. This system works for me.


You MUST open the bills as they come and you must be aware of the paydays. Each month you could be wasting hundreds of dollars for no reason in late fees. I know it isn't "fun" but its an adult job and we are adults. Time to do stuff we don't wanna. :(

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 10:37am

I do most of my actual bill paying online, but I still write everything in my "money book"

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Wed, 10-29-2008 - 10:39am

Hello,


One thing you might consider trying to do is get your due dates coordinated.

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