Autopay is super convenient, but there are some bills you might want to think twice about setting to autopilot. Handling these bills manually can save you some cash and help you know what’s happening with your money. Let’s look at 18 bills that are better off with a more hands-on approach than leaving them on autopay.
Health Club Memberships
It’s easy to forget that gym membership you haven’t used in months. If you manually handle this bill, you’ll remember to check if you’re really getting your money’s worth from it. Then, this could be the nudge you need to cancel it, especially if your living room has become your new workout spot.
Mortgage Payments
Suppose you can put extra money towards your mortgage principal because this can save you a lot on interest down the line. When you use autopay, you’re generally stuck with regular payments and won’t be able to make any additional payments. As such, leaving autopay off can make a big difference.
Variable Internet and Phone Bills
With internet and phone plans, staying on autopay might mean you miss out on noticing changes like the end of promotional rates or increased data charges. Keeping an eye on these bills yourself can help you spot opportunities to switch plans. You might even be able to negotiate a better deal.
Leased Vehicles
Any terms on a leased car can be strict, and going over your mileage limit can cost you quite a lot. Paying this bill manually means you’ll remember each of these payments and can stay within the limits. This way, you’ll avoid nasty surprises and save some cash. What’s not to like?
Home Security Systems
As you upgrade or change your home security setup, your needs might change, and auto-paying could keep you paying for a setup that’s no longer right for you. Review this bill yourself to adjust your services to fit your current needs. This might also save you some money.
Pest Control Services
Pest control isn’t always a year-round necessity, but autopay doesn’t care about seasons. Choosing when to pay can save you from paying out during months when pests aren’t a problem, and you can negotiate better deals with your service provider based on your actual needs. This way, you only pay for services when you truly need them.
Parking Spaces
If you travel a lot or your commute changes, you might not always need that rented parking spot. Managing this payment yourself can save you from wasting money on a space you’re not using. You’ll also have the flexibility to cancel or suspend your rental when you’re away, which can add up to some substantial savings.
Storage Unit Rentals
Out of sight, out of mind, which is why you might forget about your storage unit rentals, and autopay means you might pay for a unit you don’t need. Checking in on your storage contents and your bill manually might encourage you to declutter and cut costs. It’ll also stop you from hoarding items you no longer need.
Charitable Donations
Supporting charity is great and has many health benefits, but your financial situation can change anytime. Handling these donations manually lets you adjust your giving to match what you can afford each month without over-committing. This way, you’ll be more in tune with your financial health and ensure that your money goes where people need it the most.
Business Services
For business owners, autopay can make it too easy to keep paying for services like web hosting or subscriptions that aren’t meeting your needs anymore. Take charge of these bills so you can review what you actually need and maybe even get some cost-effective options. After all, do you really want to keep paying for something you’re not using?
Freelancer Payments
Similarly, autopay might not always be the best choice if you’re hiring freelancers. Managing these payments manually allows you to ensure the work meets your standards before you release the funds. This keeps your freelancers motivated to deliver their best work every time, and you can hold off on payment if there are any necessary revisions.
Hobby Subscriptions
It might seem good now, but your interest in hobbies can change over time, so the subscription you’re paying for might be pointless. Manually handling these subscriptions reminds you to check how much you’re actually using them. If your latest knitting project is still sitting in a drawer, maybe it’s time to skip a month or two.
Season Tickets for Sports or Theater
Season tickets to sports or theater events are a big commitment. Using autopay can make renewing too easy without considering whether you still have the time or passion for every game or show. Paying for them manually will make you take a moment to decide if it’s worth investing in another season.
Veterinary Care Plans
Pets are unpredictable, so some vet offices offer wellness plans on autopay. But you’re better off paying these expenses as they come so you can adjust your payments based on your pet’s actual health over time. Otherwise, you might pre-pay for services that your furry friends may not need yearly.
Customizable Meal Delivery Services
Meal kits are super convenient, but if you’re not careful, you might have more food than you can actually eat. Handling these payments yourself each cycle lets you adjust your orders based on how much you actually eat. This way, you’ll avoid wasting food and money, so it’s a win-win.
Education Course Fees
For anyone investing in ongoing education, you already know that your course needs will change as you progress, and some courses might turn out to be less relevant to your goals. Switching off autopay lets you decide whether to continue the program after each course. After all, there’s no point paying for something you’re not using.
Garden Supply Subscriptions
As the seasons change, so do your garden requirements, and an autopay subscription for garden supplies might send you mulch or plant food you don’t need. If you handle this bill manually, you can order exactly what’s necessary at the right time. You can keep your garden lush without overstocking your shed.
Renewable Energy Subscriptions
Some people subscribe to renewable energy programs through their utility company, but this can be a variable expense. When you don’t do autopay, you can adjust your subscription based on what you actually use usage and save some money. This way, it’ll fit with your household’s energy consumption and environmental goals.
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