Utility payments and late fees

With late fees and over the limit fees reaching $39 it pays to be on time. On top of paying interest rates at an average of 13.54% in 2008, the future value of your earnings diminishes with each passing month. Think of it as gambling with the credit card companies, you're wagering you'll have a job longer than they'll be in business to pay these future earnings.

Duke Energy is offering a fixed payment plan, they average your utility bill and round up, plus assess a convenience fee for the service. Why not just pay your own fixed payment through your online bill pay and avoid the fee and gross up? Simply round your payment up on a $50 increment. This way you have addressed late fees, interest, and sometimes you'll have enough paid in to skip a month.