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smo65d11 · 10-06-2008, 01:44 PM

I cannot tell you how much of a mess I used to be. I'd pay some bills when I remembered, some I'd wait 3 months, some I'd pay 3 months ahead, and then forget to pay 3 months later ... seriously, I was a mess. Constantly paying late fees, over fees, shut off fees etc. My life has become so much easier since I became somewhat organized.

The first thing I did was to set up folders for each monthly bill, and then a folder for each other-than-monthly bill (like car registration, property taxes, etc). I set up a section in my desk at work where my personal files go. It is where I do my internet stuff, so it was the most day-to-day convenient for me.

The second thing I did was to get a small calendar that I could easily keep in my handbag, mine is the size of a checkbook. Then I sat down and wrote down the name of the bill (water bill, Chase credit card, whatever) on the date that it was due, so that I couldn't make the excuse of "I didn't know it was due". The bills that charge late fees (mortgage, etc) get their names written down twice ... once on the due dat, and once on the late-fee date, just so I can have that "fluff date" if needed. The credit cards are written in RED because they MUST be paid on or before their due dates, end of story. The calendar gets looked at every single day, normally in the morning when I am sitting at a stop light I'll look at it, then again at work to double check, I am constantly looking at the thing.

In the past year since I set it up I haven't paid a late fee that I wasn't 100% aware of, I haven't had one utility shut off, my life is so much easier since I am always aware of where every penny I pay goes, and when it will go there. Instead of hiding my head in the sand, HOPING things will get better for me, I am MAKING things get better by meeting my bills head on.

dawnlango7 · 10-06-2008, 02:03 PM

Thats great, I think I need to take that kind of approach to get myself a little more organized...I remember to pay the bills, but some are always late...

alias1958 · 10-06-2008, 05:32 PM

Good job!!

I keep track of everything on a spreadsheet. That way I know if I'm missing any bills that didn't come in the mail, and I know the due dates and amounts of everything. I also have them grouped by priority, so that if we are low on funds (almost always!), I know which bills HAVE to be paid on time and which ones can wait a bit.

I also track my daily expenses (gas, groceries, etc.) on a spreadsheet so that I always know where our money is going.

regbyandjulie · 04-23-2009, 09:16 AM

Sounds like you're doing a good job. I keep track of everything via spreadsheet. It's just easier and it works for me. For my gas and groceries, though, I have a set budget and take it out of my bank account in cash for the week, and then once it's gone, it's gone, and I put any extra toward next week's gas and groceries.

smo65d11 · 04-24-2009, 07:37 AM

any extra I have (rare, but it does occasionasionally happen) I deposit back into my account, and then pay it towards a credit card. Even if it is only a few dollars.