All this messing around with actual cheques sounds very tiring and annoying; I’m pleased I don’t have to worry about it because I’m sure I’d be messing it up all the time!

I could never have done “real” (handwritten paper) checks with my last landlord, because she would often wait three months and then cash all three at the same time.

After trying cash envelopes, automatic deposit, post-dated checks, ets for about 9 months, I realized, if I have access to money in any form, I will spend it. I blew through almost $10K in inheritance in less than 12 months while making $36K that year, and this was EASY because of the ability to transfer funds.

So, here is what I did. I opened up an entirely separate checking account and bi-weekly $300 of my paycheck goes there. All the rest goes to a checking account at a separate bank. From there I have all my bills (fixed spending; rent, loans, car payment, phone, gas/electric) automatically paid, including my student loans, which are approximately $1100 every month. At the end of each month, whatever remains goes to my savings account.

With this method I have managed to save $5000 in 7 months. And I have also allowed myself to spend the biweekly $300 without any remorse on whatever I want, whenever I want it and when it is gone it’s gone (because the debit card to the other checking account was instantly destroyed upon arrival because apparently my credit union HAD to send me one).

Pay as many bills automatically as possible, so you know that whatever you have left over is money you can spend. I pay my bills, put some in savings and then whatever is left is money I know I can spend.

All my bills are paid automatically, I don’t have do anything for a single bill, they all just come out.

It’s better to have only a few bucks left, but now you saved and paid all your bills than the alternative.

-M