We Live To Pay Bills
By lilacskies
@lilacskies (4246)
United States
February 18, 2025 11:00pm CST
That's how it feels sometimes, doesn't it? I doubt there is a single person in this world who doesn't have at least one bill they have to pay because if they don't, they might end up in a really rough financial situation.
These are the bills I'm trying to stay on top of this month to avoid late fees:
Internet Bill (I contribute to the family internet bill)
Utilities (again, I contribute to the family utilities bill)
Groceries (I buy my own groceries that my parents don't eat/buy plus contribute to their grocery bill because my mama cooks for all of us)
Health Insurance
Car Insurance
Phone Bill
Car Gas
I always manage to avoid late fees because I refuse to pay extra on my bills when I can just be organized and pay on time. So far, it's been working out just fine. I just hate paying bills though and how time-consuming it is just organizing all the bills in one place and making sure which ones I paid and which ones I didn't. I do manage to get organized, but it feels like a waste nonetheless!
11 people like this
11 responses
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
I know, right? It feels like we just live to work and pay our bills and taxes.
3 people like this
@jstory07 (141846)
• Roseburg, Oregon
19 Feb
@lilacskies Yes that is the reason why we work.
3 people like this
@kareng (68197)
• United States
19 Feb
@lilacskies You sound well organized! Way to go!!
2 people like this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
@kareng I try to be. I think it's my OCD. Thank you!
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
Absolutely! I haven't missed one bill yet and I've never paid the late fees. I have a trusty folder just for my bills. Lol! Another one for my receipts.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (171437)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Feb
Paying on them is the important thing. I know it certainly feels like we live to pay bills but, look at it the other way-- you pay bills to leave. You can always decide to live off the grid. Then most of your bills won't exist.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (171437)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Feb
@lilacskies .......I have seen TV shows about people who build off the grid. You have to enjoy that type of lifestyle.
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
That sounds really cool. Do you know anyone who has lived off grid? How is it for them? Do they live in this country or abroad?
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
@celticeagle I have a feeling I would enjoy living off the grid. The problem would be the physical stuff like building and making my own food, foraging, etc.
1 person likes this
@porwest (96178)
• United States
19 Feb
No matter what we do, we are always going to have basic needs. The trick is to find ways to make your income far exceed those basic needs. That can be accomplished in multiple ways, by the way. It doesn't just mean finding a better job or asking the boss for a raise. It can also be accomplished through a frugal lifestyle, careful management of money, and saving and investing.
Getting ahead is not about MAKING more money. Moreso it's about KEEPING more of what you already have and making IT work for YOU.
Everyone ideally should be saving anywhere between 10%-15% of their income and putting it into things that offer a return of at least 6%, but the target should be more like 12%-15%, which is more than achievable. I recommend everyone read Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor in order to begin to learn the value of investing, how to do it, and what to look for when they do it.
1 person likes this
@porwest (96178)
• United States
18h
@lilacskies No. I am just a guy who has been in the investment world for 30+ years.
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
Thank you so much! I will read the book you mentioned. It sounds really interesting. You have a lot of good financial advice. Did you work in the finance field?
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
18h
@porwest What was your profession before retirement?
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (88970)
• Bangalore, India
19 Feb
Paying bills is no fun. But that's part of adulting, no matter how annoying that is. Chores and bills they go on and on like a circle .
That's good that you share the financial load of these bills with yours parents.
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That's good that you share the financial load of these bills with yours parents.2 people like this
@arunima25 (88970)
• Bangalore, India
19 Feb
@lilacskies It's a win win situation..you get to live with your parents, get home cooked meals. And they get your company and you share the budget load too
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
@arunima25 I suppose. We have our emotional strains, but we do bond over meals. We only see each other over meals and just occasionally talking to each other while we live under the same roof. They are both busy with their own lives. It has been working out okay for the past five years.
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
I know. It's just a bitter part of life. Yes, I don't eat and live there for free. If I could pay them rent, I would!
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (6516)
• Calcutta, India
21h
@lilacskies Yeah. Those who get a job they love are really lucky!
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (51423)
• United States
21h
It does seem that they are never ending.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83771)
• United States
19 Feb
Paying bills is something we all have to do. You seem to have a good handle on your money management.
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
I know. That's the bitter truth. Thank you so much. I try my best.
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
Maybe I should live in a tree myself. He's smart.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3563)
• India
19 Feb
I can understand the challenge. Paying bills most times feels like a chore and sometimes a painful one too even when you are on top of it! It is great to see you are organized and avoiding late fees. It definitely helps in saving money in the long run. Automating some payments or using a budgeting app perhaps could make it less time consuming. I am using the same and it is kind of relieved me of the thought of missing out payments. The good part is everything could still be in control. Anyways, you are doing a good job in everything in check. Have a great day ahead!
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
Thank you! I don't do automatic payments nor use budgeting apps, but I should look into them. My main goals are to be on top of my bills, pay team on time, and avoid late fees. They are really costly and add up fast.
1 person likes this
@Namaco21 (240)
•
19 Feb
I hear you! Bills are the worst—just a never-ending cycle of money coming in and going right back out. It’s great that you stay on top of everything, though. Late fees are such a pointless expense when you can avoid them with good organization. But yeah, even when you’re on top of it, the whole process still feels like such a chore. Wouldn’t it be nice if adulting came with a "skip bills" card every once in a while?
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
Yes, I know. I hate how much of my time is consumed by organizing, paying, and earn money to pay my bills. It just keeps going on and on every month. It's the bitter truth in life and there's nothing we can do about it unless we want to end up in a really bad financial situation. It's just a shame.
1 person likes this
