Bills, bills, bills.

I pay all my bills online. I still get paper statements because I like to see something physical each month. When I pay my bill online, I write “Paid” on the paper statement and file it away.

Recently, I paid my cell phone bill directly from my phone, which I had never done before but it was easy and convenient so I tried it. I guess I never realized I didn’t get a confirmation email and the next month I had a past due balance. Last month, I paid my electric bill online and again, I guess I didn’t realize I didn’t get a confirmation email and now I have a past due balance. (I even went back and checked both bills, which were filed, and they both said “Paid” on them, so I know I paid them online).

I don’t know if it’s me and I am losing it, something is going on with my checking account or technology has been failing me over the last couple of months, but I am irritated. I always pay my bills on time and in full (except for one mix up with a credit card I used for work that got maxed out at a tradeshow and charges kept showing up after I paid the bill, but was taken care of by AmEx customer service…Tweet them if you ever have an issue, they are awesome). Hopefully, these late charges and payment issues are over now. I just need to be more mindful of receiving confirmation emails when I pay bills online.

The battle of the credit cards.

I have a hand full of credit cards. Who doesn’t? I primarily use one card for daily purchases and have another one that I used to use for all work-related expenses. After doing some research, I found out I can get more cash/rewards back from my former work credit card if I use it on gas and groceries. Then, I can use my personal card for everything else, like restaurants and shopping, which I am trying so, so hard to cut back on.

I prefer to have one credit card bill a month, but if I can get more rewards for using two cards, I think I might do it.

Does anyone else do this?

I just looked at my credit card balance.

Holy hell. I really need to stop shopping. I have been going a little crazy buying this for my house. I think I need to start pacing my purchases.

Erroneous charge.

We use this database service at work. We just recently started using it, so I paid for the first three months and submitted it with my expenses so we could start using it right away, set up a corporate account and then handle payment through submitting invoices to our accounting department.

Last week, I think it was Thursday, I received an invoice in the mail from this service. For $15,000! It said “Credit Card Payment - Do Not Remit.” So I immediately checked my statement online and they did in fact charge my credit card $15K.

The charge was an error in the system and I will be credited within a week. While I am pissed off that this happened, I am more pissed off that American Express allowed this service to go ahead and charge my card without any ifs, ands or buts. What ever happened to credit card security?! Capital One called me one time when I swiped my card three times at the gas station because the pump was broken and AmEx did jack shit when a random $15K charge was applied (Kudos to Capital One and screw you to AmEx). I don’t even think my credit limit on that card is that high!!

So the next time I get one of those “You’ve Been Pre-Approved” envelopes in the mail, you better believe I am going to open it up and when I find one I like, I am pretty sure I will cancel my AmEx.