Paying Bills

a note from Tilly Titewad ...

Paying bills is one thing that has always seemed to be a lot of work, satisfying when it's done but not fun to do. Figuring out how to manage the beastly chore has taken me some time.

First, the paper clutter - yuk! The new way? I open mail at the kitchen counter as soon as I walk through the door. Junk mail and trash goes in the burn box. Magazines are placed by our chairs. Documents requiring signature (proxy ballots, etc) are handled immediately and the reply letter put in my tote bag to mail out the next day. Most of the clutter is eliminated ... that is, except ...

THE BILLS - which always seemed to hang around waiting for attention. Sometimes I was too good at ignoring that pile of papers and ended up paying a bill late. That is, until I learned to pay online where I can preset the date on which the 'check' will be delivered to the payee.

Now I put the bills at my computer and pay them the next time I turn on my computer. Presto! My bills are paid on time and I don't have that stack of paper creating a job for my To-Do list. The added benefit is that it is easier, takes a lot less time and I don't have the expense of postage.

Now, if only I could find a file fairy to put away the 'paid' bills! Oh well, guess I can't have everything ;-)