[poundwise]

Paying online is great. Not only is it simple and quick, you get confirmation of your payment. (Always print or otherwise save the confirmation screen/number.)

I think most people get into trouble with late, or nearly so, payments because they focus on the due date. Even determining to pay a bill a week prior to due isn't enough sometimes (by mail, weekends, holidays, processing time, etc.)

I started paying my credit debt bills when they come in. That is, when a credit card issuer sends me an e-mail telling me I have a new statement, I go to the site then, or the next day or so, and make a payment. The due date is in the next month, but I pay it. It may say:

Statement date: December 13, 2006
Due date: January 12, 2007

That sucker gets paid on December 14-15.

No way I'll get a late fee.

Then, I also make another payment, typically at the end of the month. So, using the example dates above, I might make a payment on December 29.