Financial tip
Build a buffer for fixed bills
Parking one month of essential bills in advance keeps you calm when due dates move or payments take longer to clear.
1. Total your essentials
Add up rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, phone, subscriptions—anything that repeats without fail. The Bills template in Budget Expert already lists these; just grab the monthly total at the top.
2. Feed the buffer weekly
Divide that total by the number of pay cycles in the month. Move that amount into a dedicated account (or a virtual envelope) each payday until you’ve covered the next month entirely.
3. Refill automatically
Once the buffer exists, treat it like any other bill: refill it before touching flexible spending. Your future self will thank you the next time a debit hits early.