Beginning any new initiative is the hardest part. \u00a0Because what you\u2019re attempting has never been done before (at least by you), getting started seems a little daunting. \u00a0Don\u2019t allow this process to become overwhelming and keep you from getting started.<\/span><\/p>\n Below, I have listed a few key considerations to get you going.<\/span><\/p>\n Focusing on Mandatory Bills<\/strong><\/p>\n With any new process, you want to ease into it. \u00a0If you plunge right in, more harm than good can be done. \u00a0We understand that your money may be tight so every dollar is important. \u00a0Plunging into the pool may be good when swimming, but with your finances the shock may be more than you can bear when it comes to your money. \u00a0We suggest you start with the <\/span>mandatory bills<\/span><\/a>. Only start with the absolute essential items. \u00a0When you get some traction going with these, you will feel more confident when moving to the <\/span>non-mandatory items<\/span><\/a>, which we call the \u201cluxury\u201d bills.<\/span><\/p>\n Examining Luxury Bills<\/strong><\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve mastered the <\/span>\u201crent-to-own\u201d method<\/span><\/a> of bill pay with your essential bills, you\u2019re ready to move to the <\/span>non-essentials<\/span><\/a>; the <\/span>\u201cluxury\u201d items<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n With the non-essentials, you may wish to examine them one by one. \u00a0What we mean by this is, tackle them one at a time. They may require a customized approach. \u00a0Pay the way you\u2019ve been paying except apply the rent-to-own method on just one for now and add others as you become more comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n Note: each time you apply the <\/span>\u201crent-to-own\u201d method<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019re adding just to a few dollars to your monthly expenses. \u00a0If you try all your bills at once this could be a significant increase that you\u2019re not prepared for and will (as stated earlier) produce more harm than good. \u00a0Don\u2019t be in any hurry with these non-essential items; place your focus on the bills that matter most first.<\/span><\/p>\n Assessing the Non-pay-ahead Items<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like every household, you will have a few bills that you can\u2019t apply this method towards as smoothly as <\/span>the mandatory and non-essential bills<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0These are items such as loans, the mortgage, autopay items such as auto-insurance, and large bills like daycare. \u00a0Loans, mortgages, rent and car payments are tough because they are usually large monthly payments. To get those ahead using a 12 month pay-ahead method will add more than you could possibly be prepared for to your monthly expenses. \u00a0Auto insurance and any other payments that are processed with autopay can be a little complicated because you don\u2019t control the payments that are taken. Daycare and school tuition can be as large as rent and mortgage payments. For these special cases we will need to apply a different approach. \u00a0You should save these until you\u2019ve put yourself in a better financial position to handle. In other words, you\u2019ll be ready to tackle the special cases when you\u2019ve mastered <\/span>the mandatory and non-essential expenses<\/span><\/a> and have them paying in advance 3-6 months.<\/span><\/p>\n Today is Friday!<\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/20180420-TIF-Blog-Way-Bills-Were-Meant-to-Be-Paid-Part-6.png?resize=760%2C360\")
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\n<\/span>You now have a starting point and can begin your journey to controlling how you pay your bills. \u00a0The most impacting benefit is you won\u2019t ever again be afraid to check your mailbox. We assure you that once you see progress, you\u2019ll wonder why no one ever shared this with you years ago. \u00a0This process, brings relief and excitement to what seemed like an unchangeable process. <\/span>
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