I totally suck at bills.

[white_s2k]

There's a lot of software programs out there to help you keep track of bills, balances, etc. I can't remember any off the top of my head but I'm sure someone will jump in with some recommendations.

[WildBlueSooner]

"I lack the boobs and brain power to care"

You know guys can get boob jobs now...maybe that will help As far as brain power I think you a screwed

[WildBlueSooner]

Quiken is a good software but you have to be willing to take some time at least once a week. A lot of it is automated but you have to help it out.

I use Quicken and pay 99% of my bills online. Quicken reminds me when to pay bills.

I'm probably the exact opposite of you. I have always paid my bills and now pay all the bills my wife and I have. I am very anal about it. For some reason I have every receipt I've ever received since I was a sophmore in college. OCD anyone

[WildBlueSooner]

Originally Posted by Beer Doctor

I use Quicken and pay 99% of my bills online. Quicken reminds me when to pay bills.

I'm probably the exact opposite of you. I have always paid my bills and now pay all the bills my wife and I have. I am very anal about it. For some reason I have every receipt I've ever received since I was a sophmore in college. OCD anyone

Just a little I am the same way though...except the receipts.

[alley00p]

Here is what I do:

1) Take bill from mailbox
2) Write check the same day
3) Mail the bill and check back the very next day

This should solve your problem of having a pile of them

Scott, we used to be constantly late with bills, but unfortunately we can't follow the procedure above alot of the time because we get paid bi-monthly.

So our process is:
1) Get a calendar with room to write in the box each day.
2) Upon receipt of bill, open it, and mark the payee and $$ on the date 7 days prior to due date on the calendar.
3) File the opened bills in order of due date (we use a hanging plastic file).
4) On payday, pay as many bills as possible, depending on the amounts.
5) Mail bill and check that day or next, or use online bill pay (we do online, when possible).

This all sounds complicated, but the initial setup takes an hour or so, and when a bill arrives, it takes a few minutes to mark it on the calendar. Depending on the frequency of your pay periods, it may take 1/2 to an hour to write checks or do the online payment thing.

This process is what got us out of our bad habits and having to pay those ungodly late fees that you get hit with now. Now we have the bills under control, and my wife or myself can sit down twice a month to get everything paid in advance of the due dates, normally with money to spare.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by alley00p

Scott, we used to be constantly late with bills, but unfortunately we can't follow the procedure above alot of the time because we get paid bi-monthly.

So our process is:
1) Get a calendar with room to write in the box each day.
2) Upon receipt of bill, open it, and mark the payee and $$ on the date 7 days prior to due date on the calendar.
3) File the opened bills in order of due date (we use a hanging plastic file).
4) On payday, pay as many bills as possible, depending on the amounts.
5) Mail bill and check that day or next, or use online bill pay (we do online, when possible).

This all sounds complicated, but the initial setup takes an hour or so, and when a bill arrives, it takes a few minutes to mark it on the calendar. Depending on the frequency of your pay periods, it may take 1/2 to an hour to write checks or do the online payment thing.

This process is what got us out of our bad habits and having to pay those ungodly late fees that you get hit with now. Now we have the bills under control, and my wife or myself can sit down twice a month to get everything paid in advance of the due dates, normally with money to spare.

That's good stuff, Charlie.
I think I'm going to employ that and one of the badass bill organizers Greg posted.
That oughta get it under control.
I already called about getting a job. I think I'm gonna go back to work.

[TXRebel]

Originally Posted by shilala

That's good stuff, Charlie.
I think I'm going to employ that and one of the badass bill organizers Greg posted.
That oughta get it under control.
I already called about getting a job. I think I'm gonna go back to work.

Also keep your checkbook totaled, it will save you time when balancing. It only takes a minute to total when you do it after each check or deposit, instead of an hour if you total every week or month.

Just pay your bills..it's not hard. Spend less than you make.