More Americans Are Paying Their Bills Late — How To Make Sure You Are Not One of Them
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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It’s happening more than you might think: A growing number of Americans are missing bill due dates, and not always because money is tight. Between busy schedules, autopay mishaps and good old-fashioned procrastination, late payments are becoming surprisingly common.
The good news? A few simple habits can make a big difference — and help ensure you’re not one of them.
Track Cash Flow, Not Just Income
According to Dennis Shirshikov, professor of finance at City University of New York and head of growth and engineering at GrowthLimit, the better move is to gain visibility into the timing of cash flow — not just total income.
“Many people know how much money they make but are less sure about when that money enters and exits their accounts,” Shirshikov said.
Conscientious households look at the dates bills are due and compare them to paydays and benefit deposits, and then tweak the timing of those bills or automate them accordingly.
He said it cuts down on late payments, which are “mostly a misalignment issue and not a lack of funds.”
Simplification Is Critical
Americans who are current on their bills look to consolidate where they can, close out active accounts and get rid of unused subscriptions or overlapping services.
The fewer bills, Shirshikov explained, the fewer decision points and the fewer chances you have to miss a payment.
“Here, organization is not some state of perfection when it comes to planning a budget but simply a way to ease mental burden and ensure that money-related tasks are not deferred,” he said.
Automate Smartly, Stay in Control
Automation is most effective when combined with a human in control, said Shirshikov.
Automatic payments for necessities, such as housing, utilities and insurance, can help prevent missed deadlines, but responsible consumers continue to review statements as well as account balances on a regular basis.
“It’s not blind automation but automated execution with regular check-ins to verify balances and spending patterns are healthy,” Shirshikov said.
Prioritize Payments, Don’t Panic
“When monetary pressure builds, the main habit is prioritizing instead of panic cutting,” he noted.
He’s noticed in successful households that avoid late payments that expenses are prioritized by consequence, with housing, utilities, insurance and transportation taking precedence.
“Discretionary spending comes last, not because the expenses are trivial but because stability in core debts staves off cascading failures like fees, credit harm or service cuts.”
Even small adjustments can make a big difference. Shifting due dates, spreading out larger payments or temporarily reducing nonessential expenses can help keep the essentials covered without creating extra stress.
The key is staying aware and intentional about where your money is going — thinking a few steps ahead rather than reacting in the moment.
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