Photograph Credit: iStockphoto
Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.
Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.
Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.
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Day 3: Print and Display Your Menu Planner – with free printable
Day 4: Record Membership Expiration Dates
Day 5: Mark Due Dates for Monthly Bills
One of the easiest ways to keep your hard-earned money in your pocket is to make payments on-time. Those late fees and interest rate hikes eat up your savings, damage your credit, and add stress to your life.
You don’t need these headaches, and you can avoid them by getting your monthly payments organized and scheduling them. Whether you use your bank’s bill pay option, setup automatic payments on your accounts, or use your planner, phone, or planning tool, schedule the payments prior to the due dates.
In completing this step, I added our monthly bills at least two days prior to a payment’s due date on each month of my calendar. Typical recurring monthly bills fall into these six categories:
- Charitable contributions/tithe
- Consumer debt: credit card(s), line of credit, car payments
- Insurance: car, health, and life
- Mortgage/rent
- School tuition
- Utilities: water, electricity, gas, phones, cable, and Internet
In stretching our dollars, I mark due dates for monthly bills on my calendar to assist me in paying our bills on time. Without paying late fees and damaging our credit, I sleep soundly at night without worrying about missing a payment.
As you continue planning for success, mark due dates for your monthly bills and pay them prior to the due date. By listing them on your calendar one or two days prior to the due date, you provide a buffer for when life happens.
Knowing you have a little grace puts your mind at ease and prevents the additional cost of late payments. Happy sleeping! 😉
Question: Did I miss any type of recurring monthly bill?