Comments on: As Promised – Here’s Some Updates

By: Answering a Reader Question About Our Christmas Budget » Blogging Away Debt

Answering a Reader Question About Our Christmas Budget » Blogging Away Debt — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:59:47 +0000

[...] my update post, Sherri asked if we had a Christmas budget and if we stuck to it. That’s a great [...]

By: Marjorie

Marjorie — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:53:40 +0000

I totally understand the uncertainty that goes with not knowing where you’ll be. My husband is looking for another job elsewhere in the country, although it’s a choice we both made because we knew when we took this current job that it would only be temporary. We’re looking at our next move as being our last one, at least for awhile, where we can buy a house and finally “settle down.” It means really tightening our belts for the time being, as we anticipate some financial sacrifices during the relocation.

I pay my utility bills basically when I get them so that I don’t forget. I use online bill pay so that I can do it lickety-split and not have to spend money on an envelope or stamp. I refuse to use automatic bill-pay because I’m concerned about giving that kind of power to a third-party, especially with problems I’ve had in the past with vendors who take forever to stop the withdrawals even after I’ve requested it.

Thanks for a great post!

Salut,
Marjorie

By: Megan

Megan — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:18:49 +0000

I would love to see an article on the stress of moving from one financial groove to another one, and your best practices for dealing with it. I find myself in the same situation, and am worried about depleting my savings and having to completely rewrite my debt payoff plans. I’d love to hear any strategies you have.

By: I Love Christmas Shopping on the Internet » Blogging Away Debt

I Love Christmas Shopping on the Internet » Blogging Away Debt — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 03:12:26 +0000

[...] Maria: I’m surprised they actually charge late fees for utilities…. [...]

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:33:22 +0000

I’m surprised they actually charge late fees for utilities. I’m sure they would waive it if you asked them.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:03:25 +0000

I completely understand the third update. It’s a scary situation…even if you have confidence that things will work out in the end.

By: arduous

arduous — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:22:28 +0000

I agree with DM. Usually companies will waive a late fee once a year. If this is the only time you’ve been late, you should call and see if they will forgive it. I mean it was only a DAY late!

By: DM

DM — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:55:30 +0000

I’d encourage you to call the gas company and ask them to wave the late fee. It’s worked for me in the past….

Good luck!

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:07:11 +0000

I set up all my utilities with automatic payments. That way I never forget and I save money in stamps (and buying checks).

Where possible – I try to have the payments go on my rewards credit card. [And pay the credit card in full every month.] When your oil, phone, cable, and electric bill (and any other utility you need to pay monthly) are on the rewards credit card (and you pay in full every month), you are getting free money.

But one might be scared of paying the credit card in full on time. In that case too, I have that set up to automatically pay in full every month too via direct debit.

So the amount of work I need to do in my bill paying … minimal except for the journal entries and making sure all my balances stay above 0 so I don’t bork my automatic credit card payment.

By: JW Thornhill

JW Thornhill — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:45:46 +0000

Thanks for all the updates. I’d been wondering where you were on them.

By: Sherri

Sherri — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:00:14 +0000

Did you stick to a Christmas budget? If so, was it hard?! I know I love giving people gifts so much it’s often hard for me to stick to a gift giving budget and I often go over…