The habits we develop determine whether we are a success or a failure. The way we handle stress, the things we do to reward ourselves, and our payday routines will all impact our financial stability. If we go shopping when stressed or as a reward and come home with bags of unneeded items, we’re obviously not laying a solid financial foundation. But what about our payday habits? What do you do when you first get your check?
First, I hope you verify the amount instead of just assuming you received the same as always. Sometimes deductions are taken without our knowledge, and we should check the amount before we begin to spend.
Second, if you get automatic deposit from your work, I hope you make sure the deposit was made on time. If there was a holiday, for instance, that can throw things off.
Next, I hope you sit down and pay all your bills, making sure to include your charitable offerings. It may sound crazy, but when I make sure to set aside a donation, I have more money left over for me.
If you take all these steps within twenty-four hours of getting your check, you’ll find that it becomes a habit, and you no longer have the stress of worrying about when you’re going to pay the bills. Around here, payday means bill-paying day. It doesn’t mean shopping day or pizza day or partying day—we don’t even assess our ability to do those things until after all the bills are paid.
To go along with your habits, I hope you keep all your bills in the same place, and that your stamps and return address labels are nearby. Most institutions will let you pay online, but some of them still ask you to mail in your check. Don’t run out of stamps—keep well stocked.
Because you can pay bills online, I suggest you keep them near the computer.
If you take care of your bills right away, it will make your life so much easier. So make payday bill-paying day at your house, too, and see how good it feels to be punctual with that responsibility.
Related Blogs: