need tips on keeping on track when you pay things

Yorkielass

Another internet banking fan - check it at least twice a day

We've been doing a spending diary for where our cash goes this month and I've used a spreadsheet for that.

A tip that Dawna Walters (life laundry lady) suggests is getting a file box with 31 compartments and putting things that need paying (eg bills or bits of paper saying what it is I guess) in it a few days before they need paying - then check it each day and deal with anything that's in that dates slot.

moonrakermagpie

Yes internet banking is a life saver and really easy, can see it as it happens.

Telephone banking is just as good if you can't use a computer, but you have all the problems of waiting in a queue to spaek to someone and all the other wind-ups.

I usually phone off peak if I have to.

Direct debits and standing orders are the way to go.

MAKE YOUR BANK WORK FOR YOU!!!!!!

Cheers Steve

HairyHandofDartmoor

I use online banking and only actually go to the bank to draw cash out of the dispenser or to pay a cheque in.

Everything else happens online. I pay money into my mortgage account online, pay my credit card bills online, transfer money into the bills account to cover all the standing orders online, transfer money into my savings account online.

It's great. You can even set up or cancel standing orders online.

I check my online banking every day, and pay my credit card as soon as the statement comes so I can't forget. All bills except mortgage go out by standing order so I can't forget those, and I transfer the mortgage payment on the first day of every month so I won't forget.

I have a list of dates when every payment goes out, which I check frequently to see how many payments have gone out, and how many are left to go out.

I couldn't live without online banking. However make sure you run your antivirus and spyware software before you do any online banking, for security reasons.