Paying bills while in self-quarantine lock down

[Anonymous]

When I’m in self-quarantine lock down one of the things I don’t want to do is go out to the mailbox. I pay all my bills electronically but I prefer paper statements. So, my first thought was to change all my bills to receive them electronically after I lock the doors. But is that good enough? Will some vendors have a delay sending electronic bills for any reason? I don’t know. Then there is the problem that some bills may already be on the way by mail. So maybe I should switch to electronic bills now?

Several of my bills don’t have an ebill option. I could look at the old paper bills for where I can pay online. Or, I could just mail them a check, but that puts me back out at the mailbox. I don’t want to fall behind on my bills and mess up my credit record. I certainly don’t want to lose my house or have my utilities turned off.

Some of my bills are already setup to draft monthly, like car and house insurance and a few others. But I won’t do that with bills that can vari every month, like utilities.

If the banks close or credit cards stop working then I can’t pay anything without leaving lock down and paying in cash, but neither can anybody else.

Any thoughts?

[namelus]

We  have written calender with due dates. Use online to check balances as of that date and pay as  snail mail never gets here on time. Utilities are not an issue as off grid. Two recurring are credit card and  phone  which can be checked easy.

[corsaire]

All of my bills are on autodraft. The utilities and others give me at least a weeks notice of the bill; the amount and when it will be deducted from my account.

So no ,the vendors wont delay in sending you a statement.

[Olivia Green]

i pay the utilities by writing a large check twice a year.
the statement each month shows what the credit balance is.
if there were to be problems i’d have time to deal and not have service cut off.

[John Park]

Great post, something I hadn’t given any real thought to except in the case of massive pandemic — but of course by then, it would be too late. I have been reluctant due to not wanting credit card info on the web that much, but the risks there seem to pale in comparison. Also just opening the mailbox, which has been opened by the postman, who has touched every letter. UGH.
My family will begin transitioning ASAP.

[Anonymous]

All good ideas.

@namelus I rarely check my accounts, other than my bank account, over the internet. I’ll setup online access to as many of my bills as provide that service. This will give me more flexibility. However, some vendors now charge a 3% “convenience fee” for paying by credit card, so I will keep paying them my usual way as long as I can. I’ve been meaning meaning to setup such a calendar for some time. I will do that on computer for budgeting and on a paper calendar for emergency use.

@ corsaire I keep as little money in the bank as possible because I don’t want to lose any if something happens and the bank takes my money as their own. They can legally do that now in certain circumstances. My SS check hits sometime during a 7 day period. My electric bill also hits during that window. I would have to make a cash deposit to cover the electric bill if the SS check is late.

@Olivia I like that idea. I could pay 6 months of my water bill with little trouble. 6 months of the electric bill would be a problem, but I could pay a month in advance that would solve the scheduling discussed above.

@John I thought about how I could go to the mail box, say once a week or when I expected something. I’ll ware an N95 mask, Nitrile gloves and goggles. Then open the envelops and any packages outside using some sort of “clean room” technique so as to not touch the bills and other contents. Or, I could photograph the bill. Then burn or put in the garbage can the envelops/boxes. Then I’ll clean the goggles, phone and my shoes and dispose of the gloves and mask. I don’t have enough isolation suits to use those for the mail. I’ll save those in case I have to go to the drug store.

[fasd refd]

Hey man, that’s a great question, especially in the context of the whole covid madness. Before the pandemic, I also preferred paper statements. I felt that the old-school approach is always the safer option. However, after catching covid, I had to adjust to the new reality. Now I can surely say that electronic bills are absolutely safe. While in lockdown, I spent a lot of time improving my fiscal knowledge. After several weeks of research, I can say that I learned how to be a fiscally responsible person. Try using the lockdown for positive purposes! Cheers.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by fasd refd.

[Louis Arthur]

While in self-quarantine or lockdown, you can still pay your bills in a number of ways, you faced the bill issue and i faced payment issue with Best Assignment Help UK, but I tell some tips to pay bills i hope it will help you Read these tips:

• Online Bill Payment: Many companies offer online bill payment services through their websites or mobile apps. You can easily pay your bills from the comfort of your home.
• Automatic Payments: You can set up automatic payments for your bills so that they are paid automatically from your bank account on the due date.
• Phone Payment: You can make payments over the phone using your credit card or checking account. Contact your service provider to learn more about this option.
• Mail Payment: You can still send a check or money order through the mail to pay your bills.
• Bank Bill Pay: You can use your bank’s bill pay service to send payments directly to the companies you owe.

It is important to keep track of your bills and make timely payments to avoid late fees and penalties. If you are facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic, it is recommended to reach out to your service providers and see if they offer any assistance or flexible payment options.

[BarrensHomey]

We do auto pay or pre-pay on every possible utility Bill.

The Covid pandemic is settling into the background this year; my family all caught it over Christmas and have shaken it off will no permanent damage. The likelihood of long term health effects of vaccines and secondary infections from dirty masks is more of an issue now. If your health is at risk, staying away from strangers is your best bet.

[kt emr]

well heres a thought: these are all good solutions, BUT we are now at the point of whether there will be a war, emp, or whatever.  so…..what happens to all this “online” crap when an emp strike happens or nuclear?  all of it will be useless, THEN how will our bills get paid, how will WE get any of our money, everything will GO DOWN….but if there is any utility, credit card company, financial whatever, you can BET THE FARM, that they will still want their money!!!!  so we’re screwed any way you look at it…..often wondered what we would do when phones, computers, etc all stop…….

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