Bill Calendar: Know what you owe and when it's due

Do you find yourself surprised by bills or unsure if you’ll have enough money to cover them each month? It’s important to remember that you’re still in control of your finances and budget, even when bills are piling up. 

The first step to staying on budget is to know what you owe and where your money goes. If you’re not able to make ends meet at the end of the month, the timing of your income and expenses may be off.  A bill calendar  helps you budget for the entire month by tracking when your bills are due. Here’s how it works:

1. Gather all of your monthly bills.
2. Write down what each bill is for, the amount owed, and the due date.
3. Put the bill calendar in a place where you can check it weekly.
4. Use your overall budget as a guide to see how you’re doing.

Concerned about sticking with it? Consider creating a support system. Tell a trusted friend or family member that you’ve made a commitment to stay on budget and get their help in staying accountable, perhaps creating weekly or monthly check-ins. You can also share these tools and invite them to join you in creating better budgeting habits.

Tracking your expenses and knowing what you owe puts you one step closer to getting a handle on your debt.