Tip #76: Simplify your bills

You can often get great discounts by choosing to get several services from the same company - for example, a package deal from your phone company can give you internet access, long distance phone plans, and cable television - all on one bill and all in one low price.  Pooling your insurance into one package from one insurance provider can have the same effect. Reducing the number of bills you get can make it easier for you to pay your bills and so reduces the chances that your credit rating will be affected by non-paid or late paid bills.

Tip #77: Pay your bills as soon as you get them

If you leave your bills until later, you may forget and end up being listed as a late payer.  Some companies may not report you to credit bureaus right away, but others report even one skipped or late payment, which can show up on your credit report and affect your credit rating.
     

Tip #78: Set aside a regular day, time, and place for paying bills

If you are too busy to pay your bills as they arrive, set aside one hour each week for paying your bills and ordering your finances.  Have the same place and time set aside each week, so that paying incoming bills and taking care of your finances becomes an automatic good habit. 

Make sure that the place you set aside is quiet and contain everything you need - including pens, a calendar, stamps, envelopes, and your payment information.  Making bill paying automatic in this way can reduce the number of non-payments and late payments you make on your bills, and reducing these problems can help improve your credit risk rating.

Tip #79: Record your financial duties on a calendar - just like all your other appointments

If you mark down when bills are due, when you need to make payments, and what you need to accomplish to boost your credit score in a visible place you check often, you are less likely to overlook important appointments and deadlines. 

Tip #80: Online resources that can help you find credit information and can help you with your credit repair project:

The FICO web site - http://www.myfico.com - contains lots of useful credit repair information and even allows you to order credit reports and scores. 
The credit bureaus (transunion.com, equifax.com and experian.com) allow you to order credit scores and credit reports online.

Through the online sites you can also get information on reporting errors on your credit report.  Your bank likely offers online banking as well, which can make managing your accounts easier and simpler for you each month. 

Most companies - including utility companies and credit card companies - will now allow you to get your bills right in your inbox.  This is a very handy feature as it allows you to get your bill right away, it cuts down on the amount of mail you get, and allows you to get and pay your bill online through online banking. Plus, many accounting software packages now allow you to coordinate all your financial information through one program, which can make taking care of your finances much more automatic and timely.