How to Pay Bills Easily

When it comes to paying bills, many of us spend our time just hunting down the location of each slip of paper and envelope waiting for a check inside. It can be stressful, frustrating and time consuming. Streamline the task of paying your bills by being organized from the beginning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Calendar
• Paper and pencil
• Office organizer

1. Pick a place in the home to store your bills and related materials once received in the mail. When it is time to pay them, you'll eliminate time searching for each one.
2. Use a file box, hanging folder or organizing tray to sort your monthly and quarterly bills. Sort by due date, and place those due earliest in front.
3. Look at each bill's due date. Count back 5 business days, as this is the day you should plan to mail that particular bill. Make a note on your calendar indicating the pay day for every bill you receive.
4. Check your calendar at the beginning of each week to see if there are any bills due.
5. Choose one day each week to pay bills. Consistently do so on that day.
6. Add the total expense of all bills for that week.
7. Make sure the bank account you are paying from can cover the total sum of all bills due. If the account is low, transfer money into the account.
8. Pay your bills for the week, and the future, using your organized system.
9. Consider paying your bills through an online banking account, where you can chronologically order your usual monthly bills in one file and schedule automatic payments as each becomes due, or pay them manually at a time that suits you.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick one person in the home to organize and pay bills.
• Write the date paid and the check number used on each bill.
• Review all bills received to ensure accuracy. If you spot an error, contact the payee immediately to resolve the issue before paying the balance.