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How To Not Hate Keeping Your Monthly Bills Organized

Let's face it, paying bills is one of those things in life we can't dodge. It's no fun, and it takes a lot of time, but it's got to be done to avoid future headaches. Even though we can't avoid paying bills doesn't mean it has to be dreaded.

Schedule-

Most people, at least the average person, pays their monthly bills when you get them. That can make it feel like you're paying bills all month long. However, by picking a couple of days during the month as "bill pay" days, it's a lot less stressful especially if you schedule them the day after pay day. On those days, gather all the bills that have come in and pay them. Bills that come in later can usually be safely put aside until the next scheduled bill day without being overdue.


Organize-

Set up a bill paying station. Keep everything you will need close at hand: pens, calculator, personal checks, files. This will save you the frustration of having to locate everything every time you need to sit down and pay your bills. You'll also want to ensure your workstation is close to your computer as well. Even if you don't pay your bills online, you might need the computer to check account balances or transfer funds. Also, have a clearly marked "in box" and "out box." This will keep paid bills and receipts separate from bills that have yet to be paid.

Simplify-

When you bring in the mail, you probably drop it on the kitchen table. Once you've opened it, your mail may wind up on the kitchen counter or the bedroom before it makes its way to your desk. Every time you handle your mail, you're adding extra work. Instead of messing around, when it comes in sort it immediately by throwing out all the junk mail and extracting personal correspondence and magazines and put the bills immediately on your work area. The same goes for bills and statements you receive online. When they arrive, put them straight into your "bill" file. Then, when it's time to pay your bills, they will all be waiting for you, and you won't have to waste precious time looking through piles of junk mail -- or spam -- to find them.

Reward yourself-

Paying your monthly bills most certainly isn't any fun. So, reward yourself when you're finished. Make your "fun" plans before you sit down to pay bills so you've got something good to anticipate. It can be as simple as a walk in the park, a favorite candy bar or a half hour of surfing through YouTube. Regardless of what you decide to do for fun, make sure you go ahead and do it since you've definitely earned it.


Article Source: Evelyn Oakley


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