Today isn’t the most exciting purge, but it’s one that’s probably the most important. Don’t skip it because you are overwhelmed or knee deep in debt. Face the task head on and get it done! You can do it! Today is the day.
Purge Day 10: Bills
Task: Take a deep breath. Now pull out your stack of bills and place them on the kitchen table. Sort through each bill, purging duplicate copies, trash, anything out dated, etc. Make sure to shred personal information, as you compete this task. If you pay your bills online, toss all envelopes (if applicable).
Create the following piles…
- Due. Need to pay.
- Paid. Need to file.
- Shred. No longer needed.
Once you are finished sorting through all of your bills & making 3 piles, immediately take action! Shred what needs shredded. File away what needs filed and pay what needs paid. If its not time to pay, or you don’t have the money to pay them yet, place the bills in a designated spot in your house. I keep mine in my office, tucked in my wall organizer. Once you are finished, you shouldn’t have any papers left. That’s it! It wasn’t too bad, right? Take another deep breath. You are ready to move on to day 11.
Organizing Tips: If you have time and want to keep going, here are some things you can do to organize your “Bills”.
- Create a Budget Binder, to keep track of all bills & finances. This will help you get out debt.
- Set up Automatic/Online Bill Pay. (Log into your bank to do this)
- Set up paperless accounts with each creditor. (Log into each account & choose “paperless”)
- If you claim any of your bills on taxes, set up an organized filing system to keep track.
- You can also set up a “Bill Payment Center” like this one here.
If you are new to the purge, start at the beginning HERE. Don’t forget to share your purge pictures on Instagram using the hashtag #abfol31daypurge.
HAPPY PURGING!
Tags: 31 day purge, bills, budgeting, declutter, finances
31 Day Purge, Blog, Budget, budget box, budgeting, decluttering, finances, October 2014, Office, Organize, purging clutter Posted in
8 comments
8 comments on “Purge Day 10: Bills”
I NEEDED this post today! I’m going to be going through a lot of our paperwork this weekend, so this is perfect timing! Thanks for sharing!
How long should you keep bills that have already been paid. I never know how long I need to keep them.
Only a month if you are not claiming on your taxes.
Hi,
I was wondering how long you need to hold onto bills? Is it even necessary? I know tax records are 7 years or something like that. But what about everyday utilities, credit card statements, month end bank statements…
Thanks!
I love this! I’m like a human vacuum cleaner when it comes to miscellaneous papers around our home. My instinct is to do exactly what this article says pay, file, shred! As a newly wed, I am finding that no two people are created equal. My hubby is notorious for keeping receipts and leaving them EVERYWHERE…just because! One time I got yelled at for throwing an important one away. I just can’t help it. I see paper I want to pay, file or shred 🙂 Now, it’s a running joke between us and I gently do a sweep from time to time asking “what’s this for? why are you keeping it?”
How do I add things that I want for here into my cart
oy this was a good day. I already have piles of bills all over the bed. Hmm I have many more than you do. Thank God my husband is a computer man. All bill are logged onto a spread sheet with dates due. As seniors we do everything once a month. Oh thanks for the tidbit, about throwing out bills if not going to need for taxes. That should make life easier and file folders much lighter. I see a new shredder our our lives or a burn party in the back yard once the snow melts somewhat.