Manage Your Payments with Ease

You may feel stressed when it comes time to manage your payments. However, it is a necessary step if you want to achieve success. For example, buying a home requires a solid credit score. You can get that solid credit score if you stay on top of your bills.

I may not be able to provide a pain-free experience but I can help you make the actual mechanisms of paying bills a breeze. And. let’s face it… sometimes, that’s half the battle.

In this wonderful word of technology, we have great tools available to us but in most cases, they are categorically under used!

Below, we’ll discuss some tools to keep in your financial toolbox.  We’ll also address their pros and cons of each tool that you can use to manage your payments. This will help you to decide which are right for you.

Having a system to manage your payments, no matter what you choose, is an important step in making your life easier.

Tool #1- Auto Pay

Pros– Set it once and forget it! Often the vendor itself will have an auto-pay option on their website. You simply enter the amount you want to pay, your routing and bank information, and date of debit, and you’re set up. Your bills will be automatically debited each month.

Cons– If you run into some cash flow issues, you have to be sure to go in and change or cancel the debit date within the allotted period they allow you to change it, OR you will overdraft your bank account. If you have irregular pay dates, this may not be a good option for you.

Hints– You can set your payment within the grace period even if it is after the due date without needing to request a payment date change. It’s usually 10 days, but don’t assume! Make sure you check that you’re not accruing late fees or bad pay history by over-staying your grace date. Also, if you need to, vendors typically allow one due date change per account history, so if you know the due date won’t work for you, change the date. But choose wisely- typically you get only one shot!

Tool #2- Online Bill Pay

Pros– This system is typically offered through your bank, although some vendors offer the one-time pay option as well on their websites. Done right, you can spend an hour or so once a month, and set up the dates that you want the vendors to debit your account for that month’s bills. This is a great system for those with irregular pay dates because you have more control and insight into your budget and cash flow for that month!

Cons– You have to invest time monthly to set up these payments.

Tool #3 – Banking Apps

Pros– This is basically the mobile version of #2. However,  many people don’t remember to use the apps for their bank. You can do all the things on your app that you can do on their website. However, using the app version is almost always more user-friendly. The mobile banking app is convenient for several reasons. It is especially great while on-the-go. Just imagine how much less time you can waist during lengthy medical appointments waiting room times. If you’re a multi-tasker, this is a great tool!

Cons– If you lose your phone or it’s stolen, you run the security risk of someone having access to your banking info. These days though, our phones are an extension of our wallets and we all know to treat it as such! Just be sure to include security measures as you would for any other information you don’t want shared with a thief. (password protection, lost phone locator apps, and etc.)

With a little planning each month, your bill paying nightmares can be a dream!

Don’t delay! Get a system in place today to manage your payments with ease.

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