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How To Catch Up on Bills | 6 Simple Steps

how to catch up on bills

Catching up on overdue bills can be quite tasking, especially if you bank on a single source of income. Fees for late payments pile up, hurting your chances of clearing your debt. If you are faced with this issue, the first thing to do is relax and examine your options.

There are various steps you can take to get a hold of your situation, a few of which are discussed below. Go through them carefully, determine the best option for you, and get things sorted.

1- Write Out All Your Bills

Items that are considered bills include rent, streaming subscriptions, cash advances, memberships, utilities, and other related expenses – do not include costs of groceries, household supplies, gas, etc.

Itemize this list in the order of their due dates to help you keep track of each payment period and prevent forgetfulness. It will help to include how often the bills are to be paid – biweekly, monthly, or every 60 days. You will be able to get a detailed estimate of the amount to be set aside for bills each month. Remember to add minimum payments, usually applicable to cash advances and credit cards.

2- Prioritize Your Bills

Prioritize your bills and give more attention to the most important ones. If making minimum payments on all your debt won’t fix your situation, you should first clear the major and most essential bills. For instance, car insurance shouldn’t be sidelined if your car is an important aspect of your daily life. You can also prioritize based on the interest rates and the risk involved with late payments to minimize additional costs.

3. Look for Bills That Can Be Postponed or Eliminated

Another way to catch up on bills is by reducing your expenditures. Try to see if any bills can be postponed or eliminated entirely. For example, consider catching up on your streaming services after a few months to get things straightened. You can divert the money from unnecessary bills to essential bills. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it’s one of the sacrifices we make for long-term success.

4- Prepare a Budget and Follow It Diligently

If you don’t already have a budget, it would be best to create one. Let it include the details of your expenses, such as bills and miscellaneous purchases, as well as your earnings. Afterward, match your income with your bills and see what’s left to catch up on those overdue. A budget shouldn’t be made for keepsakes; you should try as much as possible to follow it.

5- Don’t Get Into More Debt to Sort Existing Ones

Most people turn to credit when they fall behind on their bills. If you plan to fix your late payments, digging down the debt hole is not advisable. Avoid paying your bills and filling up your pantry with credit cards. Credit cards and loans with unreasonably high-interest rates will make it harder to bounce back.

6- Pay the Minimum

If you are determined to catch up on your bills, consider paying the allowed minimums on your credit cards. If you are consistent, you will be glad at the rate your balance has decreased within a few months. You should also use this plan to lessen your loan balance and relieve your debt.

Remember, concentrating on a single debt will not yield a favorable result as much as regulating all other debts and bypassing late fees. Imagine having about a $20 addition on all existing bills due to late payment. They end up being too much to pay off.

7- Request for Dates You Are Comfortable With

After writing out your bills alongside their due dates, check out the payment terms that are not favorable. Dates that are not in line with your paychecks or appear too early in the month can be renegotiated.

Call your lender to see if later dates can be fixed for your payments without the risk of incurring extra fees. It is better if you request a date immediately after your paychecks; that way, you will have money at hand to make payment. Lenders sometimes call your employer to confirm your claims. Just talk things through with them first.

Some might need you to pay due bills before adjusting your payment schedule. Lenders who disagree with a change in your repayment terms in favor of your paydays might have tangible reasons. In this case, you should consider paying before the due dates – either in parts or in whole. It is much better than being weeks late.

8- Start a Savings Account for Emergencies

Emergency funds help most people during unexpected financial crises and unplanned expenses. It gears you toward a financially stable future and keeps you afloat in times like this. Imbibe the savings habit by starting with a few dollars and gradually increasing it. Make sure you only empty the account during actual emergencies and not situations you can do well without.

Other Steps To Take

  • Look around the house and sell items you don’t need
  • Ask for a cash advance at your workplace
  • Request to work extra hours for a few more dollars
  • Ask for a raise if you are qualified for one
  • Switch to a job with a better income
  • Take one or more side hustles

Conclusion

Failure to pay your bills on time not only results in extra fees but is also one of the reasons why your credit score might be plummeting. So step up your game and catch up on your bills with the options above. If you are looking to get a quick loan with a reasonable interest rate, you can apply with MoneyZap, a reliable online lending site. You will have access to a host of lenders with a 24-hour approval rate.

Article contributors

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Frank is a graduate of the Master's program in Economics Sciences. He has been passionate about writing in the financial niche. He enjoys discovering new ways to improve personal wealth and sharing them with his readers. In addition, Frank likes to travel and play board games.

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