Even if you’ve got a good handle on your finances, you’re going to get hit with an unexpected bill from time to time. Maybe you used more gas and electric than you expected to or your car broke down. Whatever it is, you can easily find yourself in financial trouble if you can’t find the money to pay it. Often, people end up resorting to borrowing money in this situation but that’s never the way to go. If you rely on credit cards every time you get a bill that you can’t pay, you’re going to end up buried under a mountain of debt. Here’s what you should be doing when that bill comes through.
Check That The Bill Is Right
People forget this step too often. The people that send you bills don’t always get it right so it’s always worth querying it, especially if you think that it’s a lot higher than normal. Just call them up and ask them to give you a breakdown of exactly what you owe. If there is anything that seems wrong, ask them to clarify. You never know, they might have made a mistake, in which case, you can get it changed and your problems are solved already. It’s a lot harder to claim that money back after you’ve paid it so it’s always sensible to check first.
Ask For An Extension
If the bill is correct and you do need to pay it, the next step should be asking for an extension. If you don’t have the money there right now, don’t just get a credit card to pay it. Get in touch with them and ask for an extension. Explain that you don’t have the money for it right now, you’d be surprised how accommodating they might be. If you can get an extension, that gives you a bit of breathing room to get the money together.
Find Some Extra Cash
Once you’ve got an extension, you have a bit of time to find some extra money from somewhere to help pay off the bill. The good news is, there are plenty of fast ways to make money online. You could rent out your car when you’re not using it, fill out online surveys or even sell your browsing history. Just find a way to earn some extra cash and you’ll be able to cover the bill without borrowing.
Get Some Support
People can get embarrassed when it comes to finances and they don’t like the idea of asking somebody for help, but if you’re in a difficult financial position, it’s always a good idea to ask for some support. In some cases, that might mean asking to borrow money from somebody but it could also just mean asking for some advice. Family members that have more experience than you in financial matters will be able to help you with your situation. You should never be ashamed to ask for a bit of help during a difficult time.
If you follow these steps, you can pay off those unexpected bills without getting yourself into financial trouble.
