Bills. Nobody likes getting them in the mail and it's even less fun for people to have to sit down over the weekend and pay them. It's part of the reason why on line bill paying has become so successful. It isn't just the fact that the whole process is much easier, but now that bills can be delivered electronically you don't have that extra pain of opening up the envelope wondering just how much it's going to be this month.
If you are married or have a partner, usually one of you ends up being the main person that pays most or all of the bills. You get that distinct pleasure of seeing cable, gas, electric, and credit card bills where you put most of your expenditures.
Most of us, including me, for some bizarre reason look forward to getting the mail out of the mailbox to see what we get every day. I don't really know what we are hoping for because when you make it into the house at the end of the driveway you come to the following conclusion. You got 5 catalogs, 4 coupon post cards, 3 mortgage refinance solicitations, 2 bills, and one partridge in a pear tree. Sing it with me!
I think somewhere along the way we've all lost the art of a hand written note or card. It's why we get so excited when someone sends us a Hallmark card out of the blue with a personal note or you get a really nice thank you on a friends personal stationary. It just brightens your day among the grey matter of junk and bills that come in your mailbox.
It would be cool if we all got a pen pal letter again. It's seems like ages since I've seen a long letter on spiral notebook paper. With e-mail, texting, and instant messaging, the written letter from a friend is simply a dying craft. All it costs you to execute a hand written letter is a little bit of time and today's daily postage rate. If you write one to a friend or relative, my guess is that you'll get a call with a cheer and a smile like one you haven't received in years.
If you are in business, sales, or looking for a job, than this can be a true smart money move. Personal hand written letters are appreciated by owners, bosses, and those making decisions because most people simply don't do it. You don't have to be their new found pen pal, but a little pen to paper can make you a buck or two. If not, write one to someone you personally know to separate the day to day drudgery of opening up bills. Everybody needs a pen pal!
Written by:
Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®
Co-CEO and Founder of oXYGen Financial, Inc
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