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Tackling The Bills

Before planning your budget go through your finances. How much do you owe and who do you owe too.

Have you any bills that are over due? Sort these out first. Start with your over due bills. Add up how much you owe, deal with the final reminders first. (You don't want your phone getting cut off.)

Tackle the smaller bills:

Gas and electric. Find out if you can switch your gas and electricity to one supplier it will work out a lot cheaper. Or find out if you can pay in weekly/fortnightly installments this will spread out your costs. You can also have gas and electric quantum meters where you only pay what you use and you can only use what you can afford.

Phone bills. Cut down your calls and Internet charges. (Use an ISP that offers unlimited Internet access for a one off monthly fee. Use e-mail to keep in touch with people.) If you have teenagers tell them they can use the phone for only 5 minutes a day at off peak time (as long as they aren't phoning Australia etc..) any other time tell them they will have to pay for it that will keep them off the phone.

Once you have tackled the smaller bills move onto your higher out goings.

Mortgage: Are your mortgage payments crippling you? Switch your mortgage lenders, but shop around first for the best deals.

Credit cards: How many do you have? do you need them all? Are the interest rates high? You don't need more than one. Having more than one just means you spend more and you have to pay more back. (Cut up your cards except for one and keep this hidden away for emergencies. Not for a new dress.) Credit card lenders are very competitive so shop around for the best deals.

Now Gather and begin to sort all of your financial records. Create a filing system if you don't have one. Separate the important documents stock certificates, wills, credit card, etc. Make sure you keep them in a safe place where you can always get to them.