Red Hot Tips Point: Recurring Billing Saves Time and Resources

Sunday, October 25, 2009

I love bill pay. Like so many before me, I have developed a dependence on the online banking world and all it has to offer. An electronic payment is an easier form of payment that does not require writing and check, buying a stamp and getting to a mailbox. recurring billing can be set up quickly and easily within most bill pay programs to ensure that bills are paid on time each month and you don’t have to take the time to schedule it each month.

Let’s face it - we get the same bills every month. Aside from those few medical bills, car bills or other miscellaneous items that can come, the cable, internet and phone bills come at the same time in the same envelope with the same due date each month. This recurring billing is a necessary evil unfortunately and by paying those bills we make sure that we continue to experience many of the comforts of life we enjoy.

I discovered the joy of bill pay several years ago and now use it for everything. My bank continues to expand the features allowed. I can now have most of my bills delivered electronically so that they don’t have to waste an envelope and I get a note by e-mail that is has arrived. For a long time I rejected the notion of having payments come out of my checking account automatically because I liked the control of managing the exact day that my payments came out.

One day, when paying my student loan payment, I discovered that if I set up a recurring payment by automatic deduction I would receive a lower interest rate. What a deal! I couldn’t resist saving the extra money so I set up the deduction. Now, I have my car insurance, student loans and HOA dues all coming out automatically. It is wonderful and easy and I don’t have to think about it each month. Plus, it saves me the time and energy of going into the bill pay program to enter the amounts myself.

I still hear the arguments from time to time that online banking is not secure, that direct deposit is scary and that the bank could mess up everything. However, in my several years of online banking my credit union has never made an error. I’ve only not received a direct deposit from my place of employment once and it was fixed the next day. Only once have I had a bill taken out of my account twice – double the payment in one month – and they fixed it the next day. Electronic transactions are quick and easy to handle and quick and easy to fix. Take the time to get to know the bill pay services your bank has to offer.

Check writers are slowing down the world. Get rid of that checkbook and stop writing those checks! Gone are the days when you have to slow down the checkout line with your check writing. Gone should be the days when you have to mail your check days in advance so that your bill arrives on time. Bill pay is the way of the future and the way to go. Set up recurring payments, manage your accounts and save time and money. Check out your options today!