FIND A PLACE.

• Create one spot in your home for all pending bills. Ideally it would be an office, but it could be a drawer in the kitchen.
• Use a Poly Hanging Expanding File to hold all pending bills. Write the names of your monthly bills on the tabs. The file has twelve pockets with tabs and one additional pocket in front.
• As soon as a bill arrives, open it. Note the amount due and the payment due date. Determine if the bill should be paid by the 15th or the last day of the month.
• Create a payment schedule that lists all pending bills. Write down the amount and due date.
• Place the schedule in the front pocket of the expanding file.

PAY REGULARLY.

• Assign two days each month for bill paying. Usually this would be the 15th and the last day of the month, but you could make them the days when you get paid closest to the middle and end of the month.
• Mark the days on your calendar as a reminder so you pay on time.
• On the assigned days, review the payment schedule to determine which bills to pay.
• Indicate the amount and date paid on your statement or receipt.
• Cross off the bills on the payment schedule.

FILE THE RECEIPTS.

• Keep the statements and receipts for all bills. Throw away the extra inserts, advertising or offers that come with the bills.
• File the receipts in your home filing system. Keep them for at least seven years.

1. Poly Hanging Expanding File