So, if Citi can "restate" billions of dollars in revenue with impunity

[Orrex]

Why should I be punished for being a day late on a $20 credit card payment?

:shrug:

[Swede]

1. You forgot the golden rule.

The ones with the gold,make the rules.

[Orrex]

2. Too true. But...

At least they have plenty of golden showers for the rest of us.

[FlyingSquirrel]

3. Ok, here's some tough love

Well not really, just some advice. I've managed to keep ahead of these credit card people for years now with this one. (It's also invaluable for budgeting, and that's not a dirty word.)

You have a computer. You probably have a spreadsheet program.

Now make yourself a spreadsheet.

First column: Date
Second column: Description
Third column: Credits
Fourth column: Debits
Fifth column: Balance

That's the minimum necessary, you can jazz it up all you want from there.

Now here's the key. Start by putting in all your paychecks or however you get money, for the next 6 months. (That's for starters... when you get really good at this, sometimes you might have it for a year. I already have this coming Christmas up in mine.) Estimate to the best of your ability, don't forget to put in the dates and that the amounts go in the Credits column. I put these in bold, it helps me keep track and make sure I don't have stuff in the wrong column.

Now put in every known recurring expense that you have. Rent, credit card bills, utilities, etc. With credit card bills, sometimes they are sneaky. They'll change your due date once in awhile, perhaps every month. So for the date due, put in 7 days earlier than what they say.

Now you don't even need to get anything in the mail to know what's due, when it's due and how much (approximately) it will be.

And when you pay your credit card - ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS pay it directly on their site so they can't say they didn't get it (and plus that way you'll know the right amount).

---

This is just a short version of my overall system, but hope it helps!

Another good idea - have at least two checking accounts. One that you ONLY use a debit card on, (I don't even balance that one - just check the balance when I know it should be getting low) and one that you ONLY use checks on (OR that you pay your credit cards / other bills with online). This is the one you are using the spreadsheet to balance, and so you will always record any transaction on your spreadsheet. This idea helps you to avoid bouncing checks etc. It's not foolproof on the debit card account but it does help a lot. Best to have both accounts at the same bank so you can easily transfer money between them online if necessary.

:)