I’m not sure what happens in the rest of the world but in South Africa, companies usually pay employees by 15 December, so they have money for Christmas.

That’s lovely in theory but it does mean there’s a long, long wait between the December and January salaries.

I wasn’t always as self-disciplined as I am now but I was always a quick learner.

After one really bad year where all the money was spent early on, I vowed to never get in that situation again.

We’ve never used credit cards so that was just not an option.

I’ve now done this for about 12 years and it works beautifully.

When I get paid in December, I move the money I’ll need for the 3 weeks in January plus a bit extra to a separate savings account.

Out of sight, out of mind or… what you don’t see, you can’t spend

It’s simple but very effective.

This way I always have money in January when everybody else is broke. And everybody thinks I’m very clever when I tell them my “tricks”.

What do you do about the long wait? Or what happens on your side of the world?

P.S. In the Organise your home system, there’s an ebook on finances called 10 steps to your financial freedom which has even more fantastic tips.

P.P.S. If you’re getting paid this week, my coaching challenge is to put the January money in another account.

April is Financial Literacy Month

Read previous posts here:

5. Maintain

Restrict your filing space so that it forces you to clear out old bills every 6 – 12 months.

I actually only keep my own bills for 3 months because I have all my household categories in one file binder.

The entire 5-step, easy-to-use system will take you only a minute or two a day, and about 30 minutes when you sit down and pay your bills.

How long have you been keeping your bills?

If you need help getting your finances organised, check out 10 steps to your financial freedom now.
P.S. Today is our 14-year wedding anniversary

Don’t forget – for two days only, get the financial e-course for just $21,60 (20% off) when you use coupon code money – offer expires Sat 25th 12pm EST

Do you have a bill-paying centre?

It could be a desk in your home, a shelf or even just a plastic envelope or Office-in-a-bag.

The point it that you have some place to keep all the things you’ll need like:

• The actual invoices
• Calculator
• Red pen (or is it just me who loves a nice, thick gel pen for writing PAID)
• Etc.

Everybody in your home should know where this is so that you don’t have to hunt all over the place to find the bills when it’s time to pay.

My suggestion is this:

• when the mail arrives, sort into different types of piles
• take the bills and circle the DUE date (see why I like the red gel pen?)
• based on your method of payment, either use Outlook or your paper calendar to diarise/ schedule to pay them
• I use internet banking or direct debit order so I never leave more than two days prior to the due date to attend to them.
• now put them in your bill-paying centre so they’re ready for you. Do this in chronological order so whenever you look at the pile, the most urgent one is always on top.

excuse the blurry pic

Your challenge

1. Declutter anything that doesn’t belong
2. Dedicate a place for your bill-paying centre
3. Organise it with everything you need
4. Relax and have a nice cup of tea or coffee for being responsible

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For two days only, get the financial e-course for just $21,60 (20% off) when you use coupon code money – offer expires Sat 25th 12pm EST

Have you taken the financial check-up quiz yet? You’ll find it about halfway down on this information page: 10 steps to YOUR financial freedom

For two days only, get the financial e-course for just $21,60 (20% off) when you use coupon code money – offer expires Sat 25th 12pm EST

our bill-paying centres (or centers )

Get ready to post your before and after pics … if you want to, no pressure!

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For two days only, get the financial e-course for just $21,60 (20% off) when you use coupon code money – offer expires Sat 25th 12pm EST

Have you taken the financial check-up quiz yet? You’ll find it about halfway down on this information page: 10 steps to YOUR financial freedom

April is Financial Literacy Month

Read previous steps here

4. Filing your bills

Once your bills are paid, file them in the way that’s easiest for you to manage. If you’re not a file puncher, don’t fool yourself that you will start punching and filing. The road to hell is paved with good intentions

Rather use a filing system where you simply drop the paper in and it’s done. Like this picture.

What kind of filing system do you prefer? Punch and file in a binder, or drop in a hanging file?

If you need help getting your finances organised, check out 10 steps to your financial freedom now.

Usually when I do organising workshops, I make everybody organise their wallets since both men and women carry one.

It’s so fun to see all the rubbish that comes out of some people’s wallets; I think because they just add and add to it, and never take out the whole lot to see what’s actually there.

So today, when you declutter your wallet (and you will, won’t you?), please do me a favour and follow these steps:

• remove everything
• decide what you NEED and what you don’t
• throw away the stuff you don’t need
• think about the best way to store things for you (remember the organising process needs to be suited to your unique lifestyle)
• then please, please go through it weekly from now onwards. You’ll make me very, very happy if you do so

To help you out, read about how I organise my own wallet here. I bought this on 2 Nov 2006 and have not stopped loving it – isn’t it gorgeous?!

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Have you taken the financial check-up quiz yet? You’ll find it about halfway down on this information page: 10 steps to YOUR financial freedom

our wallets

Get ready to post your before and after pics … and a comment on how your wallet declutter goes tomorrow.

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Have you taken the financial check-up quiz yet? You’ll find it about halfway down on this information page: 10 steps to YOUR financial freedom

April is Financial Literacy Month

Read step 1 and step 2 here

3. Dedicate a specific day or days of the month to pay your bills

Mark off a date on your calendar when you pay bills. If your bills are due on different days of the month, you may need more than one date.

Because life happens, schedule the date a couple of days before the payment is actually due so you don’t incur any late fees.

When do you pay your bills? On a specific day of the month, or on separate days?

And how often do you pay interest on an overdue account?

If you need help getting your finances organised, check out 10 steps to your financial freedom now.

This weekend we’re organising our taxes.

This week, your challenge is to …

• get all your documents together
• file your return online/ fill it in yourself or make an appointment with your tax consultant
• if you’ve been organising your receipts, you shouldn’t have any problems but if you haven’t been organised, then set things up now for the next financial year.

Share in the comments how you did!

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If you could use some help with your finances, check out

April is Financial Literacy Month

Read step 1 here

2. Automate as many bill payments as possible

We live very busy lives so if you don’t have to think about paying it, all the better for you. That said, schedule a day of the month to check your online payments against your actual budget.

How many of you have automated bill paying set up? How is it working for you?

If you need help getting your finances organised, check out 10 steps to your financial freedom now.