Newsletter
Bill Paying Tips
The busy holiday season is approaching. That means a few hundred more
things to do on top of the thousand that we already do every day. Holidays
can be overwhelming and make us forgetful, but there is one important
chore we must not forget. Paying your bills and making sure they are on
time.
Start by getting organized. Have a specific container for all your bills.
It can be a file folder, basket, or a simple letter tray. If you have
a file folder or bill divider you can separate the bills for a more added
convenience. As soon as a bill arrives in the mail put it in your organizer.
Next, you will want to set up a clean and organized place to pay your
bills. Make sure it has everything you need; your checkbook, checkbook
register, calculator, calendar, pens and pencils, stamps, and anything
else you might need to pay bills. If at all possible, designate a place
where there is little distraction. It will be less stressful when the
kids are not jumping around and yelling when you are trying to write out
checks. You are less likely to make any mistakes and keep your checkbook
correctly balanced.
Schedule a time each week where you can dedicate yourself to sit down
and handle the bills. It will make it much easier if you do a little each
week and you are more likely to make your deadlines.
When you open your bill, circle or highlight the due date, and put it
in your organizer. Mark your calendar to make the payment at least one
week before the bill is due. This will allow for plenty of time to get
through the mail. This is more important around the holidays when mail
delivery can lag behind due to all the extra packages. Constant late-payments
could be recorded on your credit record and hurt your score.
When you are done paying the bill, make a note on the bottom with the
date you paid and the check number that was used. If you pay your bill
online or over the phone, write down the confirmation number that you
are given and record it on the bill statement. File and keep your paid
bills in a separate file in case there are any errors or bill disputes.
Go through all your past bills once a year and if the payment went through
with no problems, then you can shred them.
Another fast and convenient way of paying your bills is with an automatic
withdrawal. This will save you time and ensure that your bills will not
be paid late. We have also previously discussed online bill paying, which
is another easy way to quickly pay bills and save some money and hassle.
Whatever method you choose it is important to stay focused and organized.
Habits are hard to break and setting a time each week to take care of
your bills is a good one to get hooked on.
Pioneer Credit Counseling is a bonded, non-profit credit counseling agency offering debt management programs, financial counseling, bankruptcy counseling and housing counseling nationwide. Call our friendly counselors today at 800-888-1596 or visit www.pioneercredit.com.
Our accredited credit counselors will help you take control of your financial life and get out of debt faster than you can on your own. We offer a debt management program that will stop the collections calls, lower your monthly payment and provide you peace of mind. Our pre and post bankruptcy counselors provide an easy process for you so you can focus on rebuilding your financial being.
It is our policy at Pioneer Credit Counseling not only to help people get out of debt, but also educate in sound budgeting practices.
Pioneer Credit Counseling can help you get out of debt faster. Find out how through one of our Debt Management | Debt Management Programs | Credit Counseling | Financial Counseling | Housing Counseling | Bankruptcy Counseling | Financial Educational Materials
Apply for Debt Management Program Today!
Choose your state below...
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Massachusetts Michigan Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Washington Wisconsin Wyoming