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, 2010 |
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How To Organize Bill Paying In 3 Easy Steps Paying bills is not a task that many of us enjoy. But it doesn't have to be a total drag if you set up a system to do most of the work for you. Once you get into a routine, bill paying is easy, and will generally only require a few minutes of your time. With these 3 rules, you'll set yourself up for ease and success, instead of stress and failure. * * * 1. One Place - This first step is to choose a place where you will feel most comfortable paying bills. This is different for each person. My dad always paid bills at the kitchen table. I prefer a desk. I have a friend who pays them while sitting in her bed. It's entirely up to you as long as you are consistent. Important - be consistent. Decide at this point also if you will be using a computer billing system, or writing checks and balancing your checkbook by hand. That could determine where you will set up your bill paying station. The idea is not to waste time by having to search for things in several locations. ONE PLACE. Whatever the location, you will need a place where you can store the bill paying necessities - the bills themselves, as well as a checkbook and register, pens, calculator, stamps, envelopes, mailing labels, etc. This might be a fancy file cabinet, a drawer, or even a shoebox. As each new bill comes in, put the whole envelope into that folder until you are ready to pay it. 2. One Day - The second step is to always pay bills on the same day each week It doesn't matter what day of the week that happens to be - the day best for you. Just Be Consistent. Without a weekly day to review and pay bills, it's easy to procrastinate and "end up" doing it at an inconvenient time. The idea is to not let the bill paying make your decisions for
you. You choose your own day of the week, and avoid being pushed into
doing the chore when you don't want to do it, or when you don't have the time to
do it. That's operating on someone else's agenda instead of your own.
ONE DAY. You choose the time, and stay in control of both your time and your
bills. Pick a time when you are not rushed and not interrupted.
Whatever day and time you choose, schedule it, prioritize it, and protect it.
I have a friend who arrives 30 minutes early at her job on Wednesday morning,
and pays her bills then. I personally pay mine on Sunday evenings. Do
whatever works best for you.
* * *
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