Clean Up Your Act: Tips To Tidy Up Finances Top Bill Payment Pet Peeves Creating paper clutter Finding stamps Licking envelopes Writing checks Losing the return envelope Paying bills late ) Source: Visa Bill Payment Research (NAPSA)—Theold phone books and discarded junk are on the curb. The carpets have been steamed, the floors scrubbed and the refrigerator scoured. But have you cleared the cobwebs out of your finances? Whether you are spring-cleaning, winterizing, preparing for a new school year or 5 10 | 15 20 25 (Percentage) | 30 35 @ cent). Bill payment with a card guarantees that payments arrive on schedule without worrying about time-consuming hassles. Additionally, you'll have an itemized list of bills and their payment dates for your records to help plan fresh and give yourbill-paying for future spending. Cut the clutter. For some, actually payingthebills is the least of their worries. Visa’s survey found that nearly one-third (32 percent) Turn good intentions into better habits. You’ve washed all the windows, but yourpile ofbills clutter that paper bills create as their biggest pet peeve in regards to bill payment. Streamlining making your New Year’s resolu- tions, here are some waysto start habits a deep clean. still teeters precariously on your desk. According to Visa research, the No. 1 reason for a late bill payment is due to the fact that people have misplaced the bill (80 percent of respondents). You can eliminate the possibility of missing a bill payment by setting up automatic bill payments. Besides minimizing the stress and hassle involved with putting the check in the mail, automatic bill payment can help yourcredit score by guaranteeing that payments are made securely and on time. Buy yourself some time. Paying bills with a credit or debit card can also save time in your daily routine. A recent Visa survey found that the part most dreaded by respondents about bill payment is licking envelopes (13 percent), buying or finding stamps (12 per- cent), and writing checks (10 per- of respondents rate the amountof financial paperwork can permanently erase that annoyance. Shred old or cancelled checks, protecting yourself from fraud while you clear out the file cabinet. Consider signing up for e-bills or pay yourbills electronically to avoid accumulating unnecessary paperclutter. Reap the rewards. Believe it or not, you can earn added bene- fits and rewards by simply paying your bills with a credit or debit card. Paying bills with cards linked to a rewards program offers added convenience and security benefits you don’t receive when paying with cash or checks. With the ability to pay householdbills, such as insurance, phone, utility, cable and rent payments via a payment card, the potential for major rewards is much greater. Treat yourself for getting your finances on track—you deserveit!
