Oddily the fear of being cut off of whatever utility and or service insures that I pay my bill on time.
I personally pay them online the day I get them saves wondering and time. Get it pay it file it.
I know my Bank has a service where they recieve your bills and pay them for you. I also know you can get direct withdrawls and they just send you the statement. I have tried this with cigar vendors and none todate have offered the service
I am in Canada and things are probably different.