To never miss a bill, list every recurring payment with its due date, amount and whether it's on autopay, then tick each one off on a monthly checklist as you pay it. Set reminders a few days before each due date, use autopay for fixed amounts, and keep a separate list for once-a-year payments like insurance premiums and property tax, which are the ones people most often forget.
Step 1: Make a complete bill list
| Bill | Due day | Amount ₹ | Autopay? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent / home loan EMI | 5th | 22,000 | Yes |
| Electricity | 12th | 1,800 (varies) | No |
| Mobile (postpaid) | 15th | 599 | Yes |
| Broadband | 1st | 799 | Yes |
| Credit card | 20th | Varies | Yes, full amount |
| Society maintenance | 10th | 3,000 | No |
| Maid / help | 1st | 5,000 | No |
Example figures only. Don't forget gas cylinder refills, water, DTH and OTT subscriptions, and school fees.
Step 2: Put due dates on one calendar
Write each bill against its day of the month (1 to 31). Seeing that five bills fall between the 1st and 5th tells you to keep money aside right after payday. Some billers let you change the due date to spread payments out.
Step 3: Reminders and autopay
- Autopay suits fixed amounts: EMIs, rent, mobile, broadband and subscriptions, via UPI AutoPay, bank e-mandate or standing instruction.
- Check variable bills manually: electricity and credit cards change each month, so review the amount before paying.
- Credit cards: pay the full amount due where you can. Paying only the minimum avoids a late fee, but interest is charged on the rest, and late payments can hurt your credit score.
- Keep enough balance in the linked account; a failed autopay can bring bank charges and a late fee.
Step 4: The monthly checklist
At the start of each month, list every bill with its due date and amount. As you pay, write the date and method (UPI, card, net banking) and tick it. At month end, total what you paid; it feeds straight into your budget.
Step 5: Annual and one-off payments
- Health, life, vehicle and home insurance premiums
- Property tax and water tax
- Vehicle PUC renewal and driving licence renewal
- Annual subscriptions and domain or software renewals
- School admission or annual fees
- Credit card annual fees
Put these on a separate list with their due dates, and save for them monthly through sinking funds so they don't break one month's budget.
Step 6: A yearly view
A 12-month grid with a tick for each bill each month shows at a glance whether anything was missed. Adding up bills by category (housing, utilities, insurance, loans, subscriptions) shows where to cut, such as unused OTT plans.
Printable trackers
The Bill Payment Tracker has a bill list pre-filled with 12 common Indian bills (rent/EMI, electricity, gas/LPG, maid, society maintenance and more) with due day, amount and autopay columns, a 12-month bill checklist, 12 monthly payment trackers with paid-on date and method, and an annual & one-off payments page. 17 A4 pages, ₹199. Prefer a quick glance? The Bill Tracker has a 1–31 bill due calendar, 12 monthly bill checklists, a yearly summary by category and a bill directory for account numbers and helplines. 17 A4 pages, ₹149. The Bill Tracker is also part of the Money Planner Bundle. Next step: our monthly budget guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep track of bills and due dates?
List every recurring bill with its due date, amount and autopay status, write the due dates on one monthly calendar, and tick each bill off on a monthly checklist as you pay it.
Should I put all my bills on autopay?
Autopay suits fixed amounts like EMIs, rent, mobile and broadband. Review variable bills such as electricity and credit cards before paying, and keep enough balance in the linked account.
Is paying the credit card minimum due enough?
It avoids a late fee, but interest is charged on the unpaid balance. Paying the full amount due avoids interest, and paying late can hurt your credit score.
Which bills do people forget most often?
Annual and one-off payments such as insurance premiums, property tax, vehicle insurance, annual subscriptions and school fees. Keep them on a separate list and save for them monthly.
What is the difference between the Bill Payment Tracker and the Bill Tracker?
The Bill Payment Tracker logs each payment's date and method month by month and has a list of 12 common Indian bills. The Bill Tracker is a quick-glance organiser with a 1–31 due-date calendar, monthly checklists, a yearly summary by category and a bill directory.
General information, not financial advice. Check charges and terms with your bank, card issuer and billers.