I did also print the annual summary page, but I did not use it faithfully last year. It only takes a few seconds to put a check in the box when I pay the bill. I can see at a glance what has been paid and what hasn't, and can easily make sure no bills have been overlooked.
Then I can check off each month when the bill is paid. On that page, I wrote each bill in the order they are due with the due date. I then used the due date tracker to help me fill out the bill tracker (which is really the main part of this whole system): I didn't realize my mistake until I was looking at our bank records a couple weeks later, and it was already past the due date – oops! (I decided to switch most bills to autodraft a couple years ago after I accidentally wrote our mortgage check for way less than it was supposed to be, and got stuck with a late fee! ) I accidentally glanced at another bill when I was writing the check and somehow that number got stuck in my head. I do try to put as many bills on auto draft as possible, because it's quicker, easier, and less prone to error. That way I know whether I need to be sure to pay the bill beforehand or just make sure it auto drafted after the due date. The most important thing I noted was if the bill is on autodraft or not. I looked at each bill and wrote it next to the day it was due, along with the amount (if it isn't variable), and included notes to the right. On the left, days of the month are listed. After gathering all my bills, I started filling out the due date tracker: Unfortunately, I can't offer the complete physical binder, but I do offer the printable set in various styles and colors inside the Sweet Life Society, and I will walk you through exactly how I put mine together.įirst I printed out pages 3 (bill tracker) and 8 (due date tracker) in the finance packet. I get a lot of requests to sell the completed binder. I measure the success of my organizing projects by how long I stick with them, and this one is still going strong! I'd like to invite you to tour my 2015 finance binder – I know that's a long time ago, but this method still works great!!! I created something very similar to this last year, and it was one of my most successful and popular organizing projects/ posts.