No matter how much money is in your bank account, for people with ADHD can be a a struggle to pay your bills.  Timelines, anxiety, math phobia, and paperwork challenges all add up to ADHD bill-paying problems.  Financial documents are a nightmare because of the details, multiple steps, and lack of consistency.  Not to mention those awful accruing late fees! It is likely best to have an understanding of each strategy to bill pay and how these can help you.

 

Pay by mail and set up a bill-paying center

• Gather together your bills, a pencil, calculator, stamps, envelopes, checks, and manilla envelopes.
• Open the envelopes of all the bills and mark the date due on each.
• Divide the bills to pay according to the date due and the income in your checkbook.
• Pay your bills either every day or 7 days ahead of due date.
• This option is best if you feel less comfortable with technology.

Pay with online bill paying

• Set up online bill pay using your bank’s services.  You will need one bill from each utility, including your account number.
• Open your bills each day and write the due date on the envelope.
• Check your balance weekly.
• Pay your bills daily and set the due date for payment according to your balance and income.
• This option is best if you want to create automatic bill paying.

 

Pay by phone.

• Gather your bills and statements for paying by phone.
• You will need your account number, bank routing number, and bank account.
• Call the payment number and give the information requested.
• This option is best for last-minute bill paying.

 

Money Management Binder

• Set up your binder with tabbed slash pockets. Label the pockets: To be paid, January, February, March, etc.
• Use this Monthly Bill Manager to list your bills and how you paid.

 

• Place all bills in the binder as they arrive.
• Write checks and pay online once a week. Call the day Money Monday or Financial Friday.  Set a reminder or put post-it notes to help you stay on top of your weekly commitment.
• Keep the binder in the same place all the time so you can drop in bills and keep up with your weekly payments.

 

Auto debits and other automatic payments

There are likely payments that happen automatically from your account.  Make a list of these payments and the amounts taken out monthly. It creates a visual reminder for you and keeps you on track with your money.

Big Bills to Pay

Even with a great system, big surprises happen.  Make a list of the big bills you pay at different times during the year.  Payments for property tax, insurance, and estimated tax payments occur at random times throughout the year.  Go back through last year’s checkbook and create a list of these expenses.  Add these to your recurring reminders. Set aside money each month for these large payments.

 

Check your subscription services

Many times we have subscription services that drain accounts. These are services and products we may wish to discontinue. Create a log of these by reviewing your checking account, iPhone wallet, Amazon subscriptions and credit card accounts. Make a list of these monthly fees and be sure you are using these services wisely.

 

Routines for bill paying make the difference

No matter your method, bill paying happens when you have a set time of the month or a set routine to accomplish this task. Choose when it is best for you to sit down, focus, and follow through on this task depending on the income to your accounts. If you can, choose a once-a-week time to pay bills completely. You will be much wiser in knowing what is due and when it is due. You have a heads-up about incoming, large bills. Creating a routine that aligns with your paycheck eliminates stress.