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Change Your Bill Due Dates to Align with PaydaysSometimes due dates on bills don't align with my paydays. If this happens, I simply call the company and ask if I can change when my account comes due. For example, payday is the 1st and 15th, so I ask for a due date of 8th or 22nd.

 

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The One-Month-Ahead SystemIt took me several years, but I finally figured out how to manage my families finances so we never worry about the bills.

 

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Help Prevent Check Theft: Use Gel Ink Pen When Writing ChecksI used to work at a bank and once during our monthly meeting a couple of investigators from the DA's office came to talk to us about different scams; identity theft, etc. They told us to NEVER use a regular ball point pen to write a check as the ink could be "washed" and the check could be re-used. They said to always use a gel ink pen, that the gel ink wouldn't wash off. They demonstrated by putting some regular nail polish remover in a small bowl and dipping the check and using a cotton ball to wipe until all the ink was off. Some crooks are very meticulous and leave the signature intact; but that's not really necessary since banks clear clecks electronically and only spot check signatures. If there is such a problem, though, your bank will refund the monies lost after filing a police report. By Margaret

 

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Paying Bills Online - Save Money on StampsMost utility companies, credit card companies, etc. offer the option of paying your bill on-line. This is an easy way to save money on stamps, checks, and bank processing fees.

 

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Saving On Postage, Pay Bills With A Credit CardMailing separate bills gets expensive and the postage is due to go up. I charge bills on a credit card and then pay it off each month. Only if you are a disciplined person and pay the entire credit card bill off each month should you consider this tip. You don't want to pay interest.

 

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Benefits Of Online Bill PayingSnail mail bill paying may not reach the company on time and they may assess you a late fee. Paying online, you set up a debit account with the company, so only the last numbers of your checking account show when you pay.

 

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Using Bill Pay FeaturesMost checking accounts now include a Billpay feature. My account has Pay My Bills and it is free. It works better for me than Automatic Pay. We have a tight budget, and with automatic payments on my bills, I would have to worry about having enough money in the account when the creditor decided to withdraw his payment. With Pay My Bills, I choose the date the payment is made.

 

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Paying Ahead on Utility Bills in AustraliaOnce I got my act together and my finances I organised for all my regular bills to be paid by BPAY with the credit union (community bank) account...

 

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Paying Your Bills on Time and Saving on PostageI have been paying many of my bills over the phone with my debit card. It is a win-win situation. Not only do I save writing a check and saving a stamp...

 

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Negotiate Payment Plans For BillsWhen dealings with your bills, remember; everything is negotiable, even (or maybe even especially) utility bills. I have lived in the same place for, 20+ years with the same account so I find that I can negotiate payments for my phone, gas, electric, etc.

 

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Pay Bills Online To SavePay as many bills online as you can. This saves paper waste, cost of stamps and the cost of checks. Most companies now ask if you want to be paperless and they send you an email of your bill.

 

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Pay A Little Bit Over To Keep Each Month's Payment DifferentDo you have a merchant that you pay every month (i.e., doctor, mortgage, etc.) that is exactly the same amount and had the unfortunate situation of having to contest that they hadn't posted the payment, and they say they never received it?

 

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Keep an Eye on Automatic Debit PaymentsI live on Social Security Disability and nothing else. I've signed up for automatic payment for utilities, phone, etc., but I've had some really bad experiences! Set up your accounts to be paid on-line, but do NOT sign up for the automatic debit.

 

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Paying Your Bills On TimeThere are two different methods I use because I pay some bills with a check and others using my credit card. If paying with a check, when the bill comes in the mail, immediately upon opening it I write a check and get the envelope ready.

 

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Place Bills Right On Your CalendarThis is my tip for paying bills on time. As soon as I receive a bill in the mail, or an email saying my bill is due soon, I write the due date and the amount on the calendar.

 

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Contact Creditors to Adjust Late ChargesI was ill for some time and unable to keep up to date with my finances and the organization of my bills. I incurred several late charges over the period of one year. I would pay my bills, but they would be between 1-4 days late and I would receive a late charge.

 

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Use Box Folder for Organizing BillsFor several years now I've used the box folders, the ones that have handles on top and 18 or more slots) some have medical, rent, etc. I put my own labels on the folders in the order that works best for us.

 

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Keeping Track of Bill Due DatesPrepare any bills/correspondences ahead of time that will have to be mailed in the future. Do not stamp any of the envelopes. Instead, write in small letters the date that the letters have to be mailed in the area where the stamp is placed.

 

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Calendar to Track Automatic Bill PaymentsI used to be easily discouraged about ever getting a handle on our finances. I just couldn't find a method that I could stick to or that actually made sense to me. Here is something that has helped me to not only pay our bills on time, but actually keep track of them.

 

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Tracking Electronic Bills By Payment AmountsAlways use an odd amount for transferring money electronically or paying bills. For example, if transferring monies, use $99.98, or $100.01, or $100.02, but never the same amount during a 6 month period.

 

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Organize Bills By TypeI am the one who handles the finances in our home. One day, my husband called me and asked, "Where is the last cable bill and who is it with?"

 

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Paying Bills On Time Without Auto-PayOrganizing the household bills and making sure they get paid on time shouldn't be a problem. I open all mail immediately upon bringing it into the house. If I cannot do that, at least the bills are pulled out and placed in my bill-paying spot on my desk.

 

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Keeping Track of ExpensesI pay bills by direct debit/check. Then I get my monthly allotment for groceries, gas, etc. in cash which I have in an envelope in my purse. After each purchase I put the receipts back in the envelope with the balance of my cash.

 

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Record Set Bills In Bank Register Ahead of TimeYears ago when I was in college, I got financial aid, and would pay all the bills for three months ahead, like rent, cable, insurance, etc. Then, my daughter and I would know that "this is our money for a cheap movie or a new jacket for school".

 

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Pay Bills Online ImmediatelyWhen I get the mail each day, I immediately sort it and discard what I can. I do not hold bills to be paid later. I immediately "pay" them using the internet. I go to the website of the company and choose the option to pay my bill.

 

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Organizing Bill PayingSet up five file folders labeled Week One, Week Two, and so forth. As you open your mail each day file the bills into the week of the month it is due. Choose one day a week to pay your bills. Monday works best if you mail your payment, if paying online it doesn't matter which day you choose.

 

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Use Crowdfunding Sites to Help with Medical BillsCrowdfunding website can be used to solicit donations for urgent needs, such as money for health care! It makes it easier for your loved ones, even strangers to donate, often directly through twitter or Facebook.

 

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Ask to Waive Late ChargesOnce in awhile we make mistakes and may forget to pay our bill(s). Then, the upcoming bill a late fee penalty will be charged. The penalty fee varies depending on the bill, but for my internet bill I accidentally forgot to pay and the fee was $9.

 

A faucet with running water.

Waiving Late FeesFor the first time in 32 years, I was late paying a water bill. I paid the $13 penalty as I was very busy with some family matters. I called the utility company today and was told they have a policy of waiving one late fee every 5 years. It is not a fortune of money, but better in my pocket than theirs!

 

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Pay Bills On TimeAvoid extra fees by getting your car registration, license plate, and of course, monthly bills on time.

 

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