1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Personal Organizing

How To Avoid Late Bill Payments

From Dena Pasis, for About.com

A great place to record bill payment due dates is in your calendar, cell phone or daily planner.

© [2008] [Dena Pasis] licensed to About.com, Inc.
How often do you remember to pay a bill after the due date has expired? While this is a common occurrence, the good news is that it can be remedied. By adopting a few simple strategies, you can gain control of your finances and never miss a bill payment again.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 - 15 Minutes

Here's How:

  1. Keep Bills Visible:
    Do not stash outstanding bills in a drawer or a file cabinet. If they are out of sight, they can easily be out of mind. Therefore, keeping them visible, on a letter tray for example, will act as a reminder to pay those bills.

  2. Record Due Dates:
    Whether you use a paper or electronic organizer, cell phone, desk or wall calendar; it is important to record the bill due date, preferably 7-10 days prior to the actual due date, which will help you avoid late payments.

  3. Set-Up Reminders:
    Many companies offer free email or cell phone reminder services that will notify you of upcoming bill payments that are due. I like to keep these in my email inbox so that they are visible until I have paid them, and act as a reminder.

  4. Rearrange Payment Dates:
    Many companies will allow you to change the payment due date which then can allow you to pay for a number of bills at once rather than staggered throughout the month.

More Personal Organizing How To's

Explore Personal Organizing

About.com Special Features

Home Allergy Center

Banish mess, reduce allergens, and maintain a clean, healthy home. More >

Home Improvements Made Easy

Inspirational ideas and expert tips to help you pull off your next DIY project. More >

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Personal Organizing
  4. Your Organization Challenge
  5. Challenges 22 - 26
  6. Organize Your Finances - How to Avoid Late Bill Payments

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.