Blogpost
How to deal with bills
Hello, fellow hot messes! I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the bills I’m receiving. Are stressed about payments that are due soon as well? I’m showing you some great tips and tricks to avoid feeling stressed due to bills. You will even receive an entire spreadsheet to help you out!
First of all, babe, you are not in this alone. Last week I was crying my eyes out because of the same issue. When the last-minute car maintenance bill of €900 came in I kind of lost it a little. Luckily for me, I had my emergency fund to cover it. But let’s dive into the essence of how to pay your bills without stressing over them.
1. Track your expenses
It might sound like a cliché but it is all you need to start. I do this monthly since all my bills are monthly due. It makes me recognize what I’m spending and when I’m wasting my money. Trust me it will cut your expenses only by doing this first step. I do add categories to my spreadsheet. So I can see what costs me the most money. Obviously, that is my housing. But try this first step and let me know how it is going for you.
2. map out your income and expenses
So you will have to see what your income is and your spending and look at the difference. Is it negatively small? Good for you, you can do tiny adjustments to have a positive outcome or even something extra to build up your savings. Do you need some help with these two steps? Download my free spreadsheet to track your expenses, income and the difference!
3. invest in yourself
This could be done in any way possible. But don’t get me wrong, with the money that you have left don’t just buy clothes just to spend some money. Invest in your future. If you don’t you will have to keep on repeating this process. If you invest in any way possible: buying assets, or starting a business, … one day you might not have such a hard time getting by.
4. it is time to start paying your bills
You can have them paid automatically or set up a certain date to receive most bills. My billing date is between the 5th of the month and the 9th. Between those days I pay most of my bills. My paycheck comes around the 3rd so I have some time to get everything in order but not too much time. As soon as I get my paycheck I pay all my bills. This is how I always have ‘enough’ to pay my bills.
Just start
5. Corinne i'm short this month, how do i deal with that?
Honestly, that happens more often than you think. That’s why you should build an emergency fund. At least 2k, I prefer mine at 5k. Just that little extra gives you less stress and more time to pay yourself back.
You don’t have an emergency fund yet? Here are some unorthodox ways to save some money.
- Ask friends or family to have a nice dinner together at their home. Your parents would especially love some family time! And you get a free dinner.
- Carpool with colleagues or take public transport.
- Stop your gym memberships and start outdoor and at-home workouts.
- Buy frozen items at the grocery store, they are often way cheaper and they don’t go bad.
- I’m going to get a lot of hate for this one but only drink tap water from now on. No cola, no coffee, you don’t need it.
- Don’t work from home, you’ll save on electricity.
Let me tell you this is just the start of our journey together. Let’s get out there and take matters into our own hands. Do you have any tips for me? Let me know!
