Paying Bills On Time

RE: Paying Bills On Time Post by Annilynn (1) | (12/29/2006) Profile | Contact My sister has used a plan that has helped me and my parents. All you need is a notebook. First, write the month at the top. Under that, write "WEEK 1" then beside that write the amount of money that is going to be deposited. Underneath week 1 write down the bills that are due first, such as Bank notes or car notes or house payments. Make sure that they don't exceed the amount deposited (we actually make groceries a bill). I always do my biggest bills first so I am sure they are paid. Then write "WEEK 2" and write the bills that are due next like electric, phone, and/or doctor bills. Continue through week 4. This is really good because some months have 5 weeks so that fifth week is extra money. This really works for people who get paid weekly but my mom is paid monthly so she contributes her check to the first weeks big payments and gets that out of the way. You may have to work with it a bit to get it the way you like it. This may not work for everyone but if it does, let me know! Looks like: August(big and centered) Week 1--$1000(Husband) $500 (Wife) House-$500 Car-$200 Phone-$100 Bank note-$500 Grocery-$200 Week 2--$500 (Wife) Electric Bill-$250 Doctor Bill-$100 RE: Paying Bills On Time Post By karen (Guest Post) (09/01/2006) I use my calendar on my computer. When i receive a bill i mark it right on my calendar and i have the option of sending a reminder to myself days before it is due. It will e-mail me or send a pop up on my screen on the date set to remind me. It has worked wonderfully for me and when it is paid i high lite it in color so i know it is paid. It is always nice coming to that date on the calendar and seeing it high lited paid. It makes you feel good about yourself and it reminds you that you are on track. RE: Paying Bills On Time Post by Autumn (93) | (08/26/2006) Profile | Contact Ashley, First make you a calender from your PC. Write down your bills when due. Only use this calender for your bills. Each bill you pay mark off your calender. Take you a long envelope Mark it with the months date on it keep your receipts in it. Note: If you would miss a bill carry it over to next month. Hope this helps...Good Luck RE: Paying Bills On Time Post by sandy63 (151) | (08/26/2006) Profile | Blog! | Contact i have 2 friends who are like my sisters helping me do this right now. i got into this fix and didnt know what to do. i told them and one has done a spread sheet on my computer.. the other has gone thru all the paper work bills that i could find. now i dont know what they are doing but. they are sure that i will be able to recover. this has been very good reading. RE: Paying Bills On Time Post by 2oma (60) | (08/26/2006) Contact Jantoo-- I've done your method and it works- I set mine up in quarters of the year-- so I could see three months at a time, birthdays, insurance bills on the way--Also added personal investment information to that calendar showing when and how much cash I invested, the amount and where. I also listed my credit card bills and their payoff amount AND the interest rate. All of which was the basis for tax returns. Is really interesting like 10 years later- even the next year!-- to see where you've been and what you've accomplished. I also make a list of what I want to accomplish for the new year around New Years day-- as simple as lose 10 pounds to difficult or expensive items like put in a sprinkler system in the front yard. My preference for bill paying at this point in my life is auto-pay-- All accounts are cost free-- and I don't have to buy or make out checks or find stamps. I love it. I also have a list of when checks are electronicly deposited and when the auto bills arrive at my credit union so I make sure there is enough coverage. Ashley-- there are many ways to organize , as there are for saving money and you'll have to find exactly which works for you. One simple way is envelopes. List on each one what the money is to pay for-- city trash for instance, electricity bill and all with their date due. Set them up in a box with dividers for 12 months or 31 days( or both). Put the box where you'll see it every day, with a calendar near to see at the same time. This may seem too bulky but just about any method will seem bulky or a hassle. Once you see the strides you've made-- you will be hooked in a good way. Years ago I was fortunate that my power company allowed investment in the company while paying your bill-- thusly, if my electric bill was $75, I'd write the check for $100 and invest the $25 difference. Not many companies allow this, but it is a grand way to begin your investing life-- and paid off in a big way after I retired. I used 1000 shares of that power company to pay off most of my house-- 27 years early! I'm so proud of myself!! One last thought. Credit ratings are based on a few-- repeat few lines of type. Included are 1) your telephone bill-- how long at one address and payment on time. 2) payment on time on credit card bills-- the holder of the credit card debt really doesn't care because you are adding a large percent to their bottom line. 3) Credit is also figured on the number and limit amount of your credit cards. This is every one! Any that you used a few years back and then just didn't use for any reason-- it all counts. I suggesst that you review your credit cards and call the companies to close the accounts. I llike to think I've given "investing 101" to many folks- at work, at church and friends. None is hard except the first step-- BEGIN and pay yourself first! Plus the other biggie-- list where your money goes-- every penny. I wish everyone good luck and smart money handling. Sincerely . RE: Paying Bills On Time Post by Jantoo (99) | (08/26/2006) Contact I make my own monthly calendar with an 8-1/2x11" sheet of typing paper, wide side on top. With ruler and pen, I make 7 boxes across and 6 down, each about 1-1/2". On top row put month and year (e.g. August 2006) and day of week for each vertical row. Then write in 1 - 31 as appropriate for each month. I mark due date of all bills, date paid, sales I don't want to miss, chores (cut grass, doggie bath, haircut, etc.), birthdays, holidays, and, most important, work hours and amount paid. Check each off when done. Use back for extra notes. I just quit an hourly part-time job, partly because I was accused of something I didn't do and I used this record to prove company mgmt. had put bad info into computer, that I was not even working on the day in question. At end of year, I paperclip all 12 sheets together and use them for my taxes and keep them with my annual tax records. RE: Paying Bills On Time Post by Jantoo (99) | (08/26/2006) Contact I make my own monthly calendar with an 8-1/2x11" sheet of typing paper, wide side on top. With ruler and pen, I make 7 boxes across and 6 down, each about 1-1/2". Top row is for month and year (e.g. August 2006) and day of week for each vertical row. I write in 1 - 31 as appropriate for each month I put this on the wall over my desk and mark due date of all bills, date paid, sales I don't want to miss, chores (cut grass, doggie bath, haircut, etc.) and, most important, work hours and amount paid. I just quit an hourly part-time job, partly because I was accused of something I didn't do and I used this record to prove company mgmt. put bad info into competer, that I was not even working on the day in question. At end of year, I paperclip all 12 sheets together and use them for my taxes and keep them with my annual tax records. organizing bills Post By Ashley (Guest Post) (08/26/2006) I need to learn how to set everything up and organize everything can this help me?