Switching banks suck. I have about 6 or 7 bills that get auto debited from my checking. But switching to USAA, who really rock the service.

If they have one day turnaround, pay through bank. If not, go through direct website. If neither has the option, forget to mail check, get pissed.

 

You should have made it multiple choice, in other words.

If they have one day turnaround, pay through bank. If not, go through direct website. If neither has the option, forget to mail check, get pissed.

 

You should have made it multiple choice, in other words.

 

This...except I'll give them a 2-day window (which right now covers all my bills).

Pay on website of company or automatic withdrawal.

"You know, I've never really liked paying bills. I don't think I'm going to do that either."-Peter Gibbons

Everything onto a credit card. Credit cards paid in full once a month from bank account online.

My wife does it, she insists...

My wife does it, she insists...

So that you don't see the random hotel reservations :-)

Everything onto a credit card. Credit cards paid in full once a month from bank account online.

 

I used to do this, both for convenience and to maximize credit-card airline miles. I learned the hard way that you really have to be extra diligent in checking your bills for accuracy before they get put on the card, because once they do, you lose leverage in a billing dispute. Now I only do that with payments that I know will be the same amount every month, like my gym membership.

Edited January 17, 201214 yr by PlaySumFnJurny

Everything onto a credit card. Credit cards paid in full once a month from bank account online.

Me as well. Auto-pay everything possible, put as much on the credit card as possible (the rest auto-bill to checking). The credit card is then set to auto-pay once a month the full balance on due date from checking.

 

I rarely have to actively pay a bill.

 

Log on to company websites if at all possible. As few auto debits as possible.

Me as well. Auto-pay everything possible, put as much on the credit card as possible (the rest auto-bill to checking). The credit card is then set to auto-pay once a month the full balance on due date from checking.

 

I rarely have to actively pay a bill.

I don't auto-pay the credit cards, it gives me a reason to check to make sure statements are accurate every month.

I always go through the website of the company and pay with one of my checking accounts (debit cards). If it's a larger purchase ($500-$600+) or school tuition, I'll use a credit card, and I'm also more likely to take care of it in person.

Log on to company websites if at all possible. As few auto debits as possible.

 

Why?

 

I don't auto-pay the credit cards, it gives me a reason to check to make sure statements are accurate every month.

 

I use financial software and download/track everything. I see transactions come in as they clear. So I review every transaction that hits every account, even if at just a cursory level. Auto-pay just means one less step for me each month.

 

Why?

 

 

 

I use financial software and download/track everything. I see transactions come in as they clear. So I review every transaction that hits every account, even if at just a cursory level. Auto-pay just means one less step for me each month.

 

I want as little connection between my information as possible. If one thing gets hacked, all of my info won't be compromised. I also like to review all of the accounts individually.

I want as little connection between my information as possible. If one thing gets hacked, all of my info won't be compromised. I also like to review all of the accounts individually.

I'm not sure how you are breaking any connections there. Auto-debit or one-time debit, that account info is in their system now.

 

Which by the way is also a reason to use the credit card (when you can) instead of the checking account. Replacing a compromised credit card is a pain, but it pales in comparison to the nightmare of money being taken of your bank account and trying to make that change.

 

But I see what you are saying about putting in that manual review step. I do it via financial software every few days across all accounts... you do it once a month focused on each account. Either way, the review is valuable.

 

Mortgages: Manually pay them online every month so I can set the exact date and maybe add extra principal

 

Utilites: Auto-deduct from checking (don't allow credit cards), but I still have them mail me a paper bill every month so i can make sure I don't get some crazy dediction

 

Everything else: Auto-pay from my AA credit cards for the miles, pay it online every month. If I do need to mail a check, I use the B of A bill-pay which automatically mails it for you for free

Me as well. Auto-pay everything possible, put as much on the credit card as possible (the rest auto-bill to checking). The credit card is then set to auto-pay once a month the full balance on due date from checking.

 

I rarely have to actively pay a bill.

 

This is the way I set it up. Have to manually pay a couple of bills through the bank website, but almost everything is auto.

I use financial software and download/track everything. I see transactions come in as they clear. So I review every transaction that hits every account, even if at just a cursory level. Auto-pay just means one less step for me each month.

 

I update Quicken on almost a daily basis. Works great for tracking spending by category as well as overall cashflow levels.

Pay on website of company or automatic withdrawal.

This.

 

My student loans are automatic withdrawal. But for some utility bills, I pay directly on their website.

So that you don't see the random hotel reservations :-)

 

GAHHHH!!!

 

Nah, she's a control freak. But what woman isn't? (rimshot)

Edited January 17, 201214 yr by JPN366

I've had most on autopay, now I am finding it a pain to undo everything as I switch banks.

 

 

............................bills?

............................bills?

For someone who is about to enter the real world, you will have your answer very soon.

I'm not sure how you are breaking any connections there. Auto-debit or one-time debit, that account info is in their system now.

 

Which by the way is also a reason to use the credit card (when you can) instead of the checking account. Replacing a compromised credit card is a pain, but it pales in comparison to the nightmare of money being taken of your bank account and trying to make that change.

 

But I see what you are saying about putting in that manual review step. I do it via financial software every few days across all accounts... you do it once a month focused on each account. Either way, the review is valuable.

The other big thing is that if a Credit Card gets compromised, it's the banks money that is being stolen. They can try to get it from you, but they're going to do whatever they can to make sure it doesn't get stolen from them in the first place. If your money gets stolen from your bank account, yeah they kinda care, but they're not liable for the losses.