Too many bills, not enough brain space!

[MrsChambers]

Okay everyone, help me out here.

In my quest of becoming an adult, comes the age of custom of not only PAYING your bills, but actually paying them ON-TIME (oh yes indeed, quite the little concept)

So I have been doing good so far, paying my bills and paying them on-time and all. But I go CrAzy doing it!!

I can never seem to find the actual bill, but If I can find the bill I will be missing the the envelope or the stamps or the check-book for that matter.

I have gotten into the habbit of going through the mail as soon as I get home, and I throw out all the junk and then I pile the "good stuff" on a pile on the table.

So then comes around time for that bill to be paid and it's all stuck up in this stack of papers that has been growing for that past 2 weeks or so.

It's a nightmare.

So tell me, how do you pay your bills and pay them on time? How do you keep track and organize? got any tips you wanna share with an adult-to-be-even-if-it-kills-me?

[zakity]

I pay bills online through my bank. I also have a spreadsheet that I made to keep track of my bills.

I know some people who have a basket they keep pens, the checkbook, stamps, etc in and they throw their bills in that basket also. Everything is right there and nothing goes in the basket except for "bill" stuff.

[DivaJen]

I have a plastic office organizer thingie that holds paper, envelopes, pens, stamps, address labels, etc. DH and I put the bills there. About once a week I check what's in there that is coming due. I've recently started paying bills online, so I'll go through and schedule payments and then mark the bills "paid online" so that I know they've been taken care of.

Mostly, it's getting in habit of always putting bills in the same place, and then remembering to check those due dates. At one point I would write checks, seal up the envelopes, and then write on the outside of the envelope the date I wanted to mail the bill. This was before I paid things online, and once upon a time I had an interest-bearing checking account.

[mjrube94]

I charge any bill I can automatically to my credit card (for the perks, and pay it off each month). This includes phone, cell phone, directtv, AOL, etc. Any bill I can't charge, I have automatically drafted from my checking account, including gas, electric, water, mortgage. This all happens automatically each month. Then I go online and pay whatever else I can (like the credit card). You can pick one or two days each month to make it easy on you. After all that, I only have to actually write out one or two checks each month.

Two other suggestions to make it easier: Call your bill companies and get the billing cycles on the same date, if possible. That way, you only need to think about it a few times each month. Also, go for budget billing wherever possible (utilities), so that the same amount comes out each month.

Good luck!

[esmeralda]

I get paid twice per month and have the bills divided up accordingly in a spreadsheet. That way I can see how much is coming in/going out/how much I have left over. When I've paid the bill, I change the color of the text, to a light gray. Then I can see what is outstanding yet. This helps remind me about bills that I may have not yet recieved.

I open all the bills the day they arrive. I really dont like surprises, especially with the utilities, so they are the first to be looked at.

By tracking in a spreadsheet and knowing about how much I will be paying each month, I get a better idea of how much I can pay on my cc's. This then helps me to project when they will be paid in full and I will be debt free. Its been very motivating.

[Tree0164]

I pay bills 2x a month through online bill pay. We just switched to Bank of America and you can have some of the bills sent to them and they will appear on the screen. So less paper clutter which I hate. When I get a bill, I put it in my plastic envelope to pay.

[PrincessPerky]

Almost all of my bills are auto withdrawls, except the CC, so I only have to record, and don't need the bill. I also have a 'black book' sortof a zippered three ring binder, but not really big enough, I put all reciepts bills and 'stuff I aught to do' in it. Plus my calander,pen and stamps, now if only I could get in the habit of looking at it.....

[34saving]

I'm in the "almost everything on autowithdrawl and CC charged" camp, but for the misc. bills have an "inbox" where everything goes. My mom used to mark on the calendar when bills would have to be mailed. You could also get the bills ready to pay when they come and then mail them by the date on the calendar. (Of course you could mail them as soon as they come in if you've got a little cushion in the bank account.)

[cicy33]

I personally despise the auto withdrawals. My dh is a contractor so payments are not always the same and if we did that we would have so many overdraft fees. And it sounds like you are not on that anyways. Go buy a basket, preferably with a lid: walmart, staples etc. all sell them really cheap, set it in a specific place and when the bills come in place them in it, go through the basket every at least 1 every week. I usually sit down at the table and write the checks and then place the paid bills in a 3 drawer plastic thing from the dollar store. Place a checkbook in the basket, not the one you carry every day, but a seperate one just for paying bills. Soon you will get used to what is due and when it is due. Also place a box of envelopes in there, in case you lose the one that came with it. Good Idea on the going through and eliminating the junk from day one but if you are in a hurry and don't have time the basket helps to contain it until clearing day. When my daughter first moved out I was amazed at what she didn't know. Good Luck!

[PennyPincher]

I think we'd all agree that there are a ton of ways to go about paying bills, but it has to work for you..and almost be enjoyable, if possible. I am online alot, so I pay my bills through Wachovia's BillPay. Big fan. I also love spreadsheets, (though I HATE bills)...so I have everything set up on spreadsheets. I enjoy inputting formulas to caculate balances, category spending, etc. My fiance would NEVER do this.

So...what aspect if any, do you like or can you incorporate into paying bills?
Or at least make it EASY so you get them in on time.

Here's another thought - Get one of those plastic see-through folders. Like the manila mailing ones...that have a clasp. I would make a small chart (or spreadsheet) of what bills you have, and the due date. Then leave a blank space or box similar to this:

Mortgage 1st |_|

Cable 10th |_|

Power 12th |_|

Phone 15th |_|

Car 17th |_|

AMEX 21st |_|

I would laminte the list (or make copies for each month if you prefer). If you stick the laminated list on the outside of your folder, you can just check it off with a wet-erase marker when you pay it, and take the bill out of the folder. Or, you can tape the list inside and possible use the marker on the outside. Then you can wipe off and reuse every month. If needed, you could make two - 'current month' and 'next month' so that you can see the bills that are due early the next month.

It may seem like a silly idea, but visuals are often great. Not only would you see the check-marks, but you'd see the bills inside, and see them disappear as they are paid. No more searching through piles. It could be adapted to have two sections for when they are due, or by month, etc...but sometimes simple is best.

Just a thought. Hope you find something that works well for you MrsChambers!

[niki_the_tiger]

I write all the bills down on a calendar, on the date they are due and how much they are for. My husband gets paid every two weeks, and the day before payday, he gets a pay stub in the mail so we find out how much his check is for (varies due to overtime).

So as soon as I get the paystub, I get out my calendar and see what has to be paid for the two weeks the check will cover. I make sure all the immediate bills are covered, set aside some cash for us (for groceries etc), and put the rest to debt. As soon as we get the paycheck, I send payment for everything that is due during those two weeks... either online or by mail.

I also just bought Quicken, so I will be learning how to incorporate that into my billpaying.

[Tree0164]

I do not personally like auto withdrawal either plus our pay is variable as well. I don't want to give any company my checking account info.

[PrincessPerky]

isn't that info on the check you send each month? that is the only info they asked for when I signed up, that and a signature saying sure keep taking the money you have been every month (minus the effort on my part)

anyway Pennys right, find a system that works for you (for me less is more!) and keep it visible and constant, I do check my checkbook about every other week, so I know what has come out and all, wouldn't work if I didn't know what was left for groceries and whatnot.

[cicy33]

It is true that the info is on your check but with auto withdrawal they can draw different amounts if they want too. I just like being in control!

We have one of those large cork/dry erase boards in our kitchen, above the phone stand. There is a bin below it where we keep pens and the dry erase marker and stuff. When we get a new bill, we use a push pin to stick it to the left side of the cork board. Then, we list it on the dry erase board by type of bill (water, power, cable, etc.) and date it's due. We actually sort of inherited it when our last roommate moved out, but I think it's a great investment. It's helped us out a LOT. Good luck.

[BCompDude]

I agree with quite a few of the above recommendations. I would definetely get on the online bill paying system if you are concerned with the amount of brain space you can allocate to bill rememberance.

If you want to consolidate all of your bills I would take a hard look at www.lowermybills.com. Thier "BillPay Plus" system allows you to input most or all of your bills and allows you to pay them electronically. It also has a niftly little calendar that shows you when the bills are due. And its. . .FREE!

Good luck with whatever system you put into effect as it is extremely important to pay all bills on time, both for you and your credit score--not to mention credit card interest.

Note: To the person who said they can take out whatever amount they want if you set up automatic bill payment--entirely unfactual. They can only take out what you AUTHORIZE--no different than a physical check except its an electronic "signature" rather than a physical one. If your bill fluctuates, then what you mentioned may indeed be accurate--but you didn't make it clear enough for me to determine your intent.

[cicy33]

Well, I am the one that said about the taking more than you allot and a perfect example is this: My newspaper. I am on a monthly thing with them ONLY because it is so much cheaper. But they have screwed their system up so bad in the past year that on average at least every other month they draw out the amount 2 times. One month they deducted it 3 times. Within 3 days! Then they credit it back a few days later. But what if I didn't plan for that or my check didn't credit as quickly? then I have a bounced check. They say it is a glitch in their system that they are trying to fix. Another one: a program I signed up for and then cancelled, I had a cancellation number and they still deducted the amount. fortunately I check my balance daily on line. Boy did they get an earful. So, YES they do happen, more frequently then some realize.

[kashi]

I have also heard of people having more money taken out of their account with automatic drafting. One person I know had their car insurance payment drafted twice from their account in one month (and not within a close time frame), and had a heck of a time fighting with the insurance company to get it back.

It's not "entirely unfactual" or impossible, BCompDude. Just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it doesn't happen to others.

[BCompDude]

Yes, it is entirely unfactual that they can take out as much as they want. Is it impossible no, mistakes happen--but that is a significant distinction. "It is true that the info is on your check but with auto withdrawal they can draw different amounts if they want too." The "they can draw different amounts if they want too". . .is ENTIRELY unfactual. . .they certainly can not legally take out "as much as they want too". They may make an error--which is not as common as you make it seem, although certainly CAN happen but to portray that by enrolling in an automatic deductible plan they can just take all of your money if it meets thier whim. . .laughable.

Also, I have personally had it happen, I just let them know about it and they recredit my account immediately. I've also had it happen where a business took out 50 dollars more than I had written on a physical check. Another where I left a check at a restaurant and left some money for a tip. . .only to have 20 dollars more taken out than what I originally intended. Should I tell people not to write physical checks because a few mistakes were made?

If there is an error in your account you can just fax/email/snail mail them a copy of your checking/savings account showing the amount/s deducted and you will get a prompt refund. In the cases of the physical check errors--I simply sent them a copy of my voided checks.

[MrsChambers]

Whelp, I already do the bill pay as much as I can through the bank, and I like that, it helps ALOT. I Guess my problem is that I remember the bill needs to get paid on the day it needs to be paid or the day before. Then I get into this friggin FRENZY trying to get everything collected to pay the darn thing.

AGGG.

being an adult is hard work!!!

Last night I went to the bookstore and picked up this little book called "family organizer" by Amy Knapp. IT's groovy. I have already filled in the bills for next month and I put their due date 5 days before the bill is actually due, I think that will give me plently of time to mail it or bill-pay it, or forget it and then remember it... just in time. I hope it works. I have already decided that this little book will be my life-line. I will not go anywhere without it, and I will refer to it for guidance and wisdom much like a bible.

we will see

e-mail me in a week and ask me if I have my family organizer with me.