Have you just started budgeting, and need a way to reduce the overwhelm? Or maybe you’ve been budgeting for a while but still need a list of what, how much is due, and when. Whatever the reason, a printable bill pay checklist is the simplest way to keep track of your regular bills and payments.
Note: This is a reformatted version of a previous post. Please READ THIS if you’d like more information.
What Is A Bill Pay Checklist
A bill pay checklist, or a bill tracker, is just as it sounds:
A bill pay checklist is a document – or a system – used to keep track of your regular bills and payments.
It includes a list of the bills that are paid regularly, like rent/mortgage, utilities, subscriptions, insurance premiums, loan payments, etc. I also include our non-monthly bills on our bill pay checklist as well, so I keep track of when they’re upcoming.
The purpose of the bill tracker is to make sure that all your bills are paid on time, and you have some organization to your finances, so nothing seems to sneak up on you.
How To Start Using A Bill Tracker
- List out all your bills, including the dates and amounts. Be sure to include rent/mortgage, utilities, subscriptions & memberships, along with credit card payments, loan payments, and any other reoccurring expenses.
- Notate the payment method. If you pay the bill online, by check, or by auto-pay, you will want to note it for reference so that you stream-line your payment process.
- Set reminders & check off payments as they’re made. You want to ensure you’re up to date with upcoming payments. In the past, depending on my season of life, I have kept reminders in my Google Calendar.
- Keep it accessible to review regularly, and update it as needed. If you know where the bill tracker is, you know you can easily access it to update it, refer to upcoming payments, and stay updated on your current financial obligations.
What Are The Pros Of A Bill Pay Checklist?
Avoiding Missed Payments (& Fees):
By listing out your bills, and regularly referring to their amounts and due dates, you can schedule the bills ahead of time, helping you avoid potential late fees.
Improves Financial Organization & Discipline:
Organizing your financial obligations has numerous pros. A bill-pay tracker improves your overall financial routine for managing your bills, as well as aids in organization by helping you to track which bills have been paid, and which ones are still pending.
Reduces Stress:
Nothing is worse than the anxiety that comes from having to log on and pay a bill just before it is due. That’s when Murphey’s Law inevitably will show up – if something can go wrong, it will go wrong. That is why, for me, this is the most important pro of having your finances organized. Stress reduction and peace of mind are well worth using a bill-pay checklist.
Budgeting & Planning Effectively:
When you see all your bills in one place, you can allocate your funds and effectively plan for upcoming expenses. If there are bills you have set up as sinking funds, your bill-pay tracker will help serve as a reminder to set aside the money and move the sinking funds over before the bill is due.
Prevents Forgetting Less Frequent Bills:
Non-monthly bills, such as quarterly, semi-annual, and annual bills can easily sneak up if you’re not tracking them properly. This checklist helps you account for all types of bills you have, regardless of their frequency.
Encourages Reviewing Finances Regularly:
Any financial habit you can create for positive change is a financial habit worth keeping. By regularly reviewing your bill-pay tracker, you are developing a routine for managing your bills and reaching your financial goals. Regularly reviewing your finances also helps you easily see any unexpected charges or discrepancies on your financial statements.
Using a bill pay checklist, you can organize your finances, and remain proactive in your financial goals. When you use a bill pay tracker, you also maintain control over your finances, and remain proactive in reaching your financial goals.
You can find a free printable bill pay checklist and more in my free resource library. Click the image above to sign up!
I would love a copy of your tracker! It looks awesome! I love how you have monthly and non-monthly AND you list the amount right in the box! The monthly organization is perfect! I can’t access when I click it; it says error. Could you email it to me? Thanks!
Thank you for letting me know the link was broken! The free printables are in my Resource Library, and are available for email subscribers.
How do I become an email subscriber? I clicked on the resource library but it’s asking for a password to access your library. I would love to use your bill tracker! Thank you.
Hi! Thank you for your interest in my printables! Here is the email list link: http://eepurl.com/c_qDWX
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Tysm for your tracker I’ve used others in the past but stopped using it abruptly b/c it became “too much” even though I was tracking. The tracker is simple and quick to use and really is going to keep me on track w the upcoming holidays!
I’m glad that I could be helpful! Let me know if there is anything else you need!
Hi!! I was trying to sign up for your free templates and when it got to the part where you tap the “I am not a robot” the blue circle just kept spinning and would not let me subscribe. How can I fix this?
No worries! You’re on the list; it just took a bit to update.