get your bills in order

Earlier this week we talked about a couple of ways that getting organized can help you SAVE money. Well, another way you can save even more money is to organize your bill paying. If you are organized with the way you pay your bills, you will never have to pay late fees nor will you have overdraft charges to your bank accounts…which can be really expensive.

Here’s what to do:

1. Put all bills to be paid in a specific folder

When you bring in the mail, throw away the junk mail and envelopes immediately and only keep the actual bill in a dedicated plastic see-through envelope in a specific place. Arrange the bills in order of when they have to be paid so that the one facing you is also the most urgent bill.

This way you and the rest of your family always know exactly where to find all the bills.

2. Automate as many bill payments as possible

We live very busy lives so if you don't have to think about paying it, all the better for you. That said, schedule a day of the month to check your online payments against your actual budget.

Dedicate a specific day or days of the month to pay your bills

Mark off a date on your calendar when you pay bills. If your bills are due on different days of the month, you may need more than one date.

3. File

Once your bills are paid, file them in the way that's easiest for you to manage.

4. Maintain

Restrict your filing space so that it forces you to clear out old bills every 6 - 12 months.

This easy-to-use system will take you only a minute or two a day, and about 30 minutes when you sit down and pay your bills…and it can save you lots of money in the long run!

So don’t wait, take the time today to organize the way you pay your bills!

For more organizing ideas, visit my website: www.andreadekker.com